In recent years with the advent of cheap flights and the availability of short breaks to ever more destinations, it has become de rigueur for many to seek to spend Christmas and New Year overseas out of the UK. While this can offer holiday makers a great way to spend Christmas and see in the New Year, there are also plenty of breaks in the UK worth considering. Harsher economic times and increases in fuel prices mean spending the festive period in the UK has plenty of advantages. People living in the UK can save time travelling during their precious time off and look for cost savings compared to an overseas trip. Visitors to the UK can see the full splendour of the UK during the festive period where there is plenty to see, do and experience. The UK Christmas breaks guide highlights some interesting breaks you may wish to consider during the festive period.

UK Christmas & New Year Breaks

Christmas Breaks
New Year Breaks
Tips & Other Considerations

Christmas Breaks

With many people taking time off during Christmas and school holidays, Christmas is a busy time of year for travel. See our latest UK Christmas Breaks offers for some great ideas on Christmas Breaks in the UK:

England

Oxford: Enjoy a break in historic Oxford and stay at the Oxford Belfry set in the Oxfordshire countryside.The location makes it convenient to futher explore the city of Oxford and the Oxfordshire countryside. A 3 night Christmas break from December 24 with dinner, bed and breakfast plus a Christmas lunch and even a visit from santa! The package includes a buffet lunch on boxing day & afternoon tea followed by a lavish dinner, entertainment includes a night at the races. For full details please see:

Belfry Hotel Break

Brighton: The Royal Albion Hotel offers you a great view opposite the famous Brighton Pier. The Christmas package includes a 4 night stay at the hotel on a full board basis. Staring on 23 December there is festive food and fun in store, on Christmas day there is Christmas lunch, including a visit from Santa and the Evening entertainment includes a trip to the races or prize bingo. There is plenty of entertainment in the Evenings including dancing with music from the resident DJs. For more information please see:

Albion Hotel Breaks

Leeds: The Queens Hotel in Leeds city centre offers you the chance to spend Christmas in Leeds & enjoy its great shopping, entertainment & nightlife. The package is a 4 night one starting on December 23 and is on a full board basis. There is a midnight mass on December 24 followed on Christmas day with a traditional Christmas Lunch, including mince pies and Christmas cake. For more information on please see:

Queens Hotel Breaks

Scotland

Edinburgh: Celebrate Christmas in the centre of Edinburgh at the Ramada Mount Royal Hotel conveniently located close to Edinburgh Waverly Train Station and near the airport. Enjoy the cultural city and the great shopping of Princes Street and see Edinburgh Castle. The package is a 3 night one, on a full board basis. On Christmas day there is a lunch along with entertainment and a special dinner in the Evening including fun and laughter with comedian Eddie Devine. For more information please see:

Ramada Mount Royal Breaks

Aviemore: The Academy Hotel offers a laid back atmosphere in which to enjoy a Christmas break. The package is for 3 nights starting on December 24 on a bed and breakfast plus dinner basis & Christmas lunch. There is plenty of entertainment including a Christmas Eve Pantomime and Santa Parade. On Christmas day there is a special lunch whilst on Boxing Day there is a Highland Banquet & Ceilidh. For more information please see:

Academy Hotel Breaks

Wales

Cardiff: The Novotel Cardiff has a prime city centre location located near to the Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Bay. The package is for 2 nights starting on December 24 and includes Christmas day breakfast & Lunch & breakfast on Boxing Day. For more information please see:

Novotel Cardiff Breaks

Northern Ireland:

Belfast: The Europa Belfast hotel is conveniently located close to Belfast City Hall, Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens and entertainment facilities. The packages are for 2 nights starting on December 24 on a Bed and Breakfast, dinner & Christmas Lunch basis. On Christmas day there is a Grand Gala Buffet luncheon in the Grand Ballroom, followed by a Champagne reception, dinner and a visit from Santa. For more information please see:

Europa Belfast Breaks

For a full range of Christmas Breaks please see:

UK Christmas Offers - Click Here

New Year Breaks

Having a New Years break has become increasingly popular in recent years, the UK offers some great places to take in the New Year, whether you want to relax or party. A selection of New Years Breaks includes:

England:

London: The International Hotel in Docklands offers some stunning views of London, the New Years packages consists of 3 nights on a bed and breakfast plus dinner basis, the package starts on December 30, there are New Year Celebrations, a Hogmanay Dinner followed by music & dancing to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. For more information please see:

International Hotel New Year Breaks

Blackpool: Enjoy the New Year in lively Blackpool at the Britannia Savoy Hotel. Experience the fun and attractions of the famous seaside resort. The packages are for 3 nights starting on December 30, it includes a New Year's Eve dinner and plenty of entertainment to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. For more information please see:

Britannia Savoy Hotel New Year Breaks

Bournemouth: Enjoy a break on the south coast at the Suncliff Hotel in Bournemouth that overlooks the beach. The package is for 3 nights starting on December 30 on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis. There is a candlelit dinner to enjoy on your first night followed by a Gala Candlelit dinner with Highland piper to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. For more information please see:

Suncliff Hotel New Year Breaks

Scotland:

Edinburgh: The Ramada Livingston is well located for exploring the central Scotland region. The New Year package includes a 2 night stay on a bed and breakfast and dinner basis. The first night is December 30 where there is a three course dinner & pub quiz. On New Years Eve there is 6-course Gala Dinner of fine food and plenty of festivity. You can then see in the New Year and enjoy dancing in the disco. For more information please see:

Ramada Livingstone New Year Breaks

Glasgow: For a short New Year break the Thistle Glasgow offers a 1 night package starting on December 31 that includes a 7 course dinner and breakfast the following day. The New Years Eve entertainment includes Ceilidh band, a disco and piper on arrival and at the bells. The hotel is conveniently located near Glasgow’s many attractions and entertainment venues, it provides a great base from which to explore the city further. For more information please see:

Thistle Glasgow New Year Breaks

Wales:

Cardiff: Celebrate the New Year in Cardiff at the Park Inn Cardiff North, the hotel is located a few miles from the city centre. The packages includes a 1 night stay starting on December 31, the celebrations on New Years Eve start with drinks in the lounge followed by a 5 course dinner, after that there is musical entertainment to see in the New Year. For more information please see:

Park Inn Cardiff New Year Breaks

Swansea: The Ramada Swansea is located in close to the city centre, close by is the Gower Peninsula and famous welsh countryside. The package consists of a 1 night stay starting on December 31, there is a gala dinner on New Years Eve followed by music from a live band and drinks at midnight to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. For more information please see:

Ramada Swansea New Year Breaks

Northern Ireland:

Belfast: Enjoy a break in Belfast with a New Years break at the Culloden Hotel, one of the best known 5 star hotels in Northern Ireland. The packages start on December 31 where there is champagne & canapés followed by a 6 course dinner. There is live music and dancing along with a countdown to midnight. For more information please see:

Culloden Hotel New Year Breaks

For a full range of New Years Breaks please see:

UK New Year Breaks - Click Here

Tips & Other Considerations

Holidays and short breaks at Christmas and New Year can be expensive with premium prices on travel & accommodation, avoid the extra prices by researching well in time & if you find it cheaper to book in advance do so.

With plenty of people that reside in UK taking time off to add to the number of tourists, there is likely to be an increase in demand for hotel rooms, package deals, restaurants and all things holiday & travel related. Holidays & accommodation, entertainment & dining venues do get booked up, so plan in advance to ensure you do not miss out.

It helps to be flexible of the places you are prepared to go in the UK & where you are prepared to stay, if this is the case if a hotel or short break is booked up you can switch to another one or a similar one without feeling as though you missed out.

If you have the time/holidays consider travelling a day or two before the great Christmas getaway and return either a day or few before most people come back or after most people come back. This way you can help yourself avoid travelling on the peak travel days & avoid the extra congestion & time taken to travel.

Allow for extra time in your journey, the roads, rail, flights are likely to be a full capacity and some traffic, congestion & delays are possible. Build in some extra time in your journey to ensure you give yourself enough time to get t