A crackling fire, festive treats, and maybe a little bit of mistletoe? There isn’t a more magical time of the year than Christmas. You could make it extra special this year by getting away for Christmas with your family and loved ones in a grand hotel or renting a local cottage. Across the UK, villages, towns, and cities put on an array of festive events to show and spread cheer.
Whether you’re whisking your partner away for some Christmas romance or taking the kids on a holiday they’ll never forget – discover the best Christmas getaways in the UK.
Cotswolds
When you think of a Christmas staycation, a snow-covered cottage is one of the first images you have in mind. Well, make that idea a reality this Christmas by visiting the Cotswolds. Whether you’re renting a cute cottage or standing in a remarkable hotel like The Lygon Arms Hotel, you’ll be stunned by the jaw-dropping beauty. The ‘fairytale-esque’ villages, luscious countryside, and plenty of mistletoe-filled trees mean it is one of the most romantic staycations and one you definitely won’t forget.
Trains to the Cotswolds:
Take all the weight off your shoulders by travelling to the Cotswolds by train, with major local stations including Banbury, Oxford, Cheltenham Spa, and Gloucester.
Edinburgh 
If you’re looking for a city break this Christmas, Edinburgh must be up there with one of the best. With an array of star-filled pantomimes, great food and drink options, and fabulous Christmas shopping if you’ve left your shopping a little late. There is plenty to see and do from November all the way through until the new year. To kick off Christmas, get up to George Street for the Light Night, where the night is filled with choir songs and fireworks light up the sky. There are plenty of things to do in Edinburgh, but you could spend hours wandering the quaint streets and exploring the castle – if you’re lucky, the snow makes it an extra exceptional delight.
Trains to Edinburgh:
Edinburgh is easily accessible by train. The major station in the Scottish capital is Edinburgh Waverly which many different routes can access.
Bath
Celebrate Christmas like a modern-day roman. Well, maybe not entirely, but there aren’t many more scenic places to spend Christmas with the family. From decorated iconic buildings, streets filled with festive cheer, and sparkling lights, Bath ticks all the boxes for a great Christmas staycation. With a cracking market, ice skating at the Royal Victoria Park and the Enchanted Garden Lights at The American Museum and Gardens, even non-Christmas lovers won’t have an excuse to ‘Bah Humbug’. You can spend your staycation in the many available rental locations or some grand local hotels - get them booked up early!
Trains to Bath:
If you’re travelling to the South West, getting to Bath Spa station by train is easily accessible from Bristol Temple Meads, which has many popular routes.
Cornwall
Take a dip into something new this Christmas. A tradition for many families who live near the coast is to have a sea swim around Christmas time, so give it a go with a Christmas getaway like no other. Cornwall is usually associated with summer breaks, but with fantastical coastal walks, wheelchair-accessible beaches, and dog-friendly beaches, but with a few extra layers, why not enjoy all these things in the festive period too? Because enjoying the natural beauty in Cornwall is never a doubt, no matter the climate. With many harbours, towns, and villages to visit, there are Christmas markets and events held across the county.
Trains to Cornwall:
Depending on where you’d like to go, there are many popular places to visit in Cornwall. Popular stations in the county include Truro, Penzance, St Ives, and many more.
York
As one of England’s oldest cities, York’s twinkly cobbled streets and picture-perfect architecture are the perfect ingredients for a charming Christmas staycation. So, if you’re really looking to have a Christmas that will go down as one of the best, why not visit York? With many Christmassy events, including Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, a selection of Pantomimes, a Nordic experience at Thor’s Tipi, as well as the other attractions York has to offer. If you want to walk off those mince pies, walks in York city or the surrounding countryside are one of the best things to do in the winter – they’re well worth exploring.
Trains to York:
If you're travelling to York this Christmas, York train station is in the city's heart. CrossCountry services routes in and out of York from many of the UK's biggest towns and cities, including York to Edinburgh, Doncaster to York, Birmingham to York, Glasgow to York, and Durham to York.
If you’re planning a trip to one of the best Christmas getaways in the UK, don’t forget to book an Advance ticket via our website or our Train Tickets app. You can also find information on how to get cheaper train tickets via our special offers page. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
The UK is bursting with fun activities. Whether you’re visiting one of the best castles in the UK, the best theme parks in the UK, or the best waterparks in the UK, you can always travel by train. CrossCountry has services running up and down the country to ensure you can get to the places you need to be.
Written by Julia