With budgets tightening, heading off to sun-soaked, far-flung destinations might not be on the cards this winter, that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a holiday a little closer to home. Here, Rachel Laidler rounds up the best alternative UK staycation spots, from skiing in Scotland to getting festive in York.
DK Great Britain
View BookYork, Northern England
York is at its most pretty at Christmas, when its narrow cobbled streets and crooked medieval buildings are illuminated by twinkling lights. Visit this historic city for a weekend of festive shopping: the cute independent shops are perfect for picking up one-of-a-kind gifts, while the wooden chalets at St Nicholas Fair sell handmade arts and crafts – as well as freshly roasted chestnuts and spiced mulled wine to keep you toasty.
If the cold gets too much you can also warm up by popping into the imposing York Minster (book in advance) or heading out on a walking tour. One of the best is the History of Christmas in York tour, which explains how the country's yuletide traditions evolved – all the way from the Romans and Vikings to the Victorians – as it transports you around the city's atmospheric streets.
If the cold gets too much you can also warm up by popping into the imposing York Minster (book in advance) or heading out on a walking tour. One of the best is the History of Christmas in York tour, which explains how the country's yuletide traditions evolved – all the way from the Romans and Vikings to the Victorians – as it transports you around the city's atmospheric streets.
Cairngorms, Scotland
The hulking, glacier-smoothed mountains of Scotland's Cairngorms are even more impressive in winter, when blanketed by swathes of snow – and it's the snow most visitors come for. This vast national park is home to three ski centres – Cairngorm Mountain, the Lecht and Glenshee – making it just perfect for a skiing or snowboarding staycation. As well as getting an adrenaline shot from the slopes, you'll also be treated to sweeping views across the park's undulating, snow-carpeted mountains and – if you're lucky – glimpses of wildlife, including ghostly winter hare, elegant red deer and red-eyebrowed ptarmigan. You might even spy Britain’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer.
As night falls, why not layer up and head out to the Tomintoul and Glenlivet area to try and catch a glimpse of the northern lights? These "Mirrie Dancers" shimmer across the sky in tones of pale orange, green and purple.
As night falls, why not layer up and head out to the Tomintoul and Glenlivet area to try and catch a glimpse of the northern lights? These "Mirrie Dancers" shimmer across the sky in tones of pale orange, green and purple.
Norfolk Coast, South East England
Even when the nights have drawn in and the countryside glitters with hoar frost, the Norfolk Coast abounds with birdlife, so pack your binoculars and head off on a wildlife-spotting holiday. Along this county’s picturesque coast – lined with tranquil marshland, golden beaches and grass-topped dunes – you’ll spy tiny snow buntings hop from branch to frosted branch, see swarms of marsh harriers swoop in to roost, and glimpse (or is it hear?) gaggles of greylag, Canada and Egyptian geese honking in the reeds. You’ll also get to see one of the UK’s most incredible wildlife spectacles, when thousands upon thousands of pink-footed geese gather on the coast for the winter.
But it’s not just birds that steal the show – winter is also the best time to go seal-spotting. Around December and January, grey seals give birth to their pups on the sandy shores that line the coast; head to Blakeney Point or Morston Quay to see hundreds of these newborn, and utterly adorable, pups lolling on the beach.
But it’s not just birds that steal the show – winter is also the best time to go seal-spotting. Around December and January, grey seals give birth to their pups on the sandy shores that line the coast; head to Blakeney Point or Morston Quay to see hundreds of these newborn, and utterly adorable, pups lolling on the beach.
Brecon Beacons, Wales
If you’re fond of refreshing cold-weather walks, look no further than the Brecon Beacons. This dramatic national park is home to an astounding 1,930 km (1,200 miles) of public rights of way that are wonderfully quiet come wintertime. Feeling intrepid? Wrap up warm and – taking all the necessary precautions – tackle one of the many trails that thread through the park’s snow-dusted mountains and moorland.
If you’d prefer something a little more laid-back, take a meandering stroll alongside one of the tree-lined paths that follow the flow of the River Usk, or head along a frost-cloaked woodland route past tinkling waterfalls. Whatever you end up doing, finish with a local beer and some reviving Welsh rarebit in one of the many cosy pubs that dot the landscape.
The Brecon Beacons are also an International Dark Sky Reserve (one of only five in the world), and so stargazing is a must. Pull on your thermals and head to the Llangorse Lakes or Usk Reservoir to see the star-spangled night sky: there’s nothing more magical than seeing the Milky Way blazing overhead.
If you’d prefer something a little more laid-back, take a meandering stroll alongside one of the tree-lined paths that follow the flow of the River Usk, or head along a frost-cloaked woodland route past tinkling waterfalls. Whatever you end up doing, finish with a local beer and some reviving Welsh rarebit in one of the many cosy pubs that dot the landscape.
The Brecon Beacons are also an International Dark Sky Reserve (one of only five in the world), and so stargazing is a must. Pull on your thermals and head to the Llangorse Lakes or Usk Reservoir to see the star-spangled night sky: there’s nothing more magical than seeing the Milky Way blazing overhead.
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Spend a week in County Antrim to discover a slice of Northern Ireland's rich history and magical folklore. Start by following in footsteps of giants with a walk through one of the emerald-green Glens of Antrim; legend has it that the sculpted hills here are sleeping goliaths. Or why not visit the iconic Giant's Causeway? Here, 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns – said to have been made during a battle between two giants – stretch out into the inky ocean.
Beyond myth and legend, County Antrim is also busting with historical sights. Sprinkled across its lush landscapes are a number of impressive castles, from the medieval ruins of Dunluce Castle, precariously perched on the coast, to the 400-year-old Antrim Castle (book in advance), overlooking tranquil Lough Neagh. The area is also home to a number of excellent museums, including the renowned Titanic Belfast (book in advance); housed in a striking modern building, this interactive museum brings the sights, smells and sounds of this fateful ship vividly to life.
Beyond myth and legend, County Antrim is also busting with historical sights. Sprinkled across its lush landscapes are a number of impressive castles, from the medieval ruins of Dunluce Castle, precariously perched on the coast, to the 400-year-old Antrim Castle (book in advance), overlooking tranquil Lough Neagh. The area is also home to a number of excellent museums, including the renowned Titanic Belfast (book in advance); housed in a striking modern building, this interactive museum brings the sights, smells and sounds of this fateful ship vividly to life.
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