The UK is a beautiful place to be in winter, especially when you know where to look. Whether you’re taking a crisp morning walk, enjoying the smiles of your family at Christmas, or savouring the first gratifying sip of a hot chocolate, enjoying winter is about appreciating the small things.
At CrossCountry, we’ve compiled our favourite places to go for a winter getaway with friends and family to make this time of year spectacular.
Edinburgh
There is something special about Winter in Edinburgh; it is uniquely magical during the festive season and throughout winter. With plenty of kid-friendly activities combined with special experiences to enjoy with friends, Edinburgh is one of the best winter staycations in the UK. Catch a train to Edinburgh Waverley with CrossCountry from destinations like Glasgow Central and Newcastle.
Best for Friends: Sauna Experience at Granton Beach
Saunas are thought to have numerous health benefits and are a daily part of life in Nordic countries. In Edinburgh, overlooking the North Sea, is Soul Water Sauna. The heat of the sauna, followed by the sharp cold of a dip in the sea, is a fantastic way to feel present and more connected to yourself and to the environment around you.
Soul Water Sauna hosts a range of wellness events throughout winter. There are sound baths, festive sessions, and sauna hat making workshops. All events offer a great opportunity to get closer to your favourite people and take part in a beautiful tradition.
There are buses to Granton from Queensferry Street. Soul Water Sauna is located on Granton Beach, a lovely place to visit for a crisp coastal walk.
Best for Family: Edinburgh’s Hot Chocolate Highlights
One of the best parts of winter is warming yourself up with a rich and luxurious hot chocolate. Edinburgh can get especially cold, so it makes sense that the cocoa here is especially good. Pay a visit to the Marshmallow Lady for an out-of-this-world cup of chocolatey goodness, piled high with toasted marshmallow fluff and lashings of whipped cream. The ultimate indulgence on a cold day.
Speaking of marshmallows, Uplands Roast put a delightful mix of little and large marshmallows on their decadent proper hot chocolate. As well as that, you’ll get the luxury of real Belgian chocolate, chocolate flakes, a chocolate swirl, and of course, as much chocolate dusting as you like.
Perfect for Friends & Family: Arthur’s Seat
During winter, when the frost glistens and the air is particularly fresh, a walk up Arthur’s Seat is hard to beat. The climb is manageable for most fitness levels, and the reward at the top is a breathtaking view of Edinburgh’s skyline, the Firth of Forth, and the hills beyond. It’s really the perfect way to spend quality time together, away from the noise.
The paths up the hill can become icy or muddy in winter, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes for a comfortable and safe climb. We also recommend wearing plenty of layers, as it can be cold at the top! You can start the walk from Holyrood Park, which is easily reached on foot from the Royal Mile or by bus from various parts of the city. Make sure to set off by midday to ensure that you can complete the walk before the sun sets.
Manchester
Manchester is a firm favourite for UK staycations, with its stunning blend of historical and modern architecture, unique independent coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, and a wonderful arts and culture scene. With that in mind, your weekend can unfold in some great directions, each offering its own flavour of winter magic.
Catch a train to Manchester Piccadilly to start your adventure. CrossCountry operates services from key locations, such as Birmingham New Street.
Best for Friends: A Winter Walk in the Peak District
If a bracing winter walk is your cup of tea, then Manchester provides excellent access to the Peak District. The National Park is dotted with charming little villages, and during the colder months, the rolling hills are dusted with twinkling frost. Try to get out on a crisp morning to really feel the majesty of the newly risen sun across the landscape.
If things get a little too brisk, take shelter in one of the many cosy pubs. The Packhorse Inn in Bakewell welcomes guests with a range of local cask ales and lagers and a menu packed with delicious pub fare. The sausages and mash with red onion gravy are a particularly welcome treat after a long walk in the beautiful Peak District.
Best for Family: RHS Bridgewater Glow
Did you know RHS Garden Bridgewater glows at Christmas time? On winter evenings throughout November and December, visitors can stroll through beautiful technicoloured illuminations and seasonal displays that both complement and preserve the garden’s natural beauty. It’s calm, magical, and perfect for young families with plenty of wonder.
The garden is located in Worsley, and there are several buses available from Manchester. From there, it’s a ten-minute walk from the bus stop to RHS Bridgewater.
Perfect for Friends & Family: Skate Manchester
Ice skating is a uniquely wintry pastime, and Skate Manchester is one of the best places to do it. As one of our favourite ice skating rinks in the UK, Skate takes the magic of Christmas to a new level, and they do it sustainably too. Experience themed nights, thrilling ice skating contests, and a delightfully festive winter village inside a giant snow globe!
Skate Manchester is a twenty-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly, or you can catch a bus to Printworks and arrive in around fifteen minutes.
Cornwall
Cornwall is the perfect staycation destination any time of year, but during winter, it has a special, quieter allure. It’s ideal for a walking holiday or for a cosy cottage retreat, and it’s even better when you bring the people you love along! Here are our favourite ways to spend winter in Cornwall with friends and family.
Best for Friends: Montol Winter Solstice in Penzance
Every year, on December 21st, Montol reimagines traditional Cornish customs in a one-of-a-kind night filled with storytelling, dance, fire, and music. The streets of Penzance burst to life with lantern processions, masked performers, and celebrations that honour the turning of the year. The midwinter revelry is completely inclusive; everyone is welcome to share in the beautiful traditions, both those of old and new ones still being created.
You can reach Penzance by train with CrossCountry. There are lots of services from all over the country, including from Exeter St Davids and Taunton.
Best for Family: Truro Cathedral
Truro Cathedral has an exciting line-up of events across Christmas and winter. Visit the cathedral from 12-17 January to experience a captivating light installation created by Luxmuralis. The theme is ‘Time’, and it invites onlookers to explore history, science, and magic in the cathedral's cavernous halls.
Other events coming up in the cathedral's calendar are Midnight Mass, Christmas carol services, and a special pet-friendly service! Getting a train to Truro Cathedral is easy, and it’s just a fifteen-minute walking distance from Truro station. You can reach Truro with CrossCountry from key locations across the UK, including Penzance and Bristol Temple Meads.
Perfect for Friends & Family: A Cornish Coastal Walk
Cornwall is renowned worldwide for its beautiful beaches, and this dramatic stretch of coastline has a timeless beauty in the winter months. Wherever you go in Cornwall, you’ll find nearby beaches with sand that reflects the winter sun, fresh coastal air, and long stretches for walking.
One particularly beautiful spot for a winter walk is around National Trust Godrevy, which is situated less than ten miles from St Ives. With scenic views of the Godrevy Lighthouse from the magnificent cliffside, with crashing waves below, a hike around Godrevy is stunningly beautiful, even if it is a little cold! Wrap up warm, bring a flask of tea, and let the brisk air refresh you.
York
York is one of the most atmospheric cities in the UK at Christmas, and it’s easy to visit with CrossCountry. Hop on a service to York station from locations such as Leeds and Sheffield. Here are some fantastic activities to book before your York winter getaway, suitable for both family and friends.
Best for Friends: After-Dark Ghost Walk
York's centuries-old streets become even more compelling on a winter evening. Join one of the city’s spooky ghost walks to explore hidden passageways and eerie landmarks while you listen to truly terrifying tales. The crisp winter air and lantern-lit streets create the perfect setting for a fun and spine-chilling outing with friends.
If you prefer to experience the spooky side of York in the warmth, there are plenty of haunted pubs to frequent. Ye Olde Starre Inne was used as a hospital during the English Civil War, and many supernatural sightings have been reported there. Plus, they have an excellent Christmas dinner on offer, complete with crispy duck fat potatoes and plenty of gravy.
Best for Family: Chocolate Workshops at York Cocoa Works
Come inside from the cold and pay a visit to York Cocoa Works for a chocolate-making workshop the whole family can enjoy. Learn how chocolate is made, try your hand at piping, moulding, and decorating your own treats. There are loads of events happening throughout the festive season too, including the opportunity to make your own Christmas chocolate cottage!
York Cocoa Works is a short walk from the train station; you’ll be there in under fifteen minutes. For more sweet days out with the family, check out the best chocolate experiences in the UK.
Perfect for Friends & Family: Festive Flying Scotsman
The National Railway Museum is one of York’s best attractions, and it’s the perfect family-friendly activity for winter. Both children and adults explore historic steam locomotives, peek inside royal carriages, and learn about the 200-year history of the railway. During the Christmas period, the famous Flying Scotsman will be on display in the Great Hall.
In 2024, we celebrated 100 years of Flying Scotsman, and there’s still so much to learn about its amazing life on the rails. To reach the National Railway Museum for this exciting event, you can follow the sign-posted route on foot from York station. Or, if you’re in the city centre, there is a special road train that takes you directly to the museum from York Minster.
Travelling with CrossCountry over Christmas
Throughout Christmas, trains and stations will inevitably be busier than usual as more people make trips to see loved ones and enjoy the festive season. Our staff will be working diligently to help you reach your destination, and we ask that you treat them with kindness, patience, and respect.
Whether you’re travelling with us for a UK winter holiday or heading home for Christmas, remember to be kind to those around you and to our colleagues. If you’re catching a CrossCountry train over the festive period, be sure to read our Christmas travel information.
If you’re exploring UK winter breaks for families and friends, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
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