Feeling Festive? These 12 Christmas Towns in the UK Are Holiday Heaven

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Are you looking for the best Christmas towns in the United Kingdom? If so, you’ve come to the perfect place. As someone who’s lived in the United Kingdom his entire life, I can tell you from experience that we take the Christmas season very seriously. No matter where you go, you’ll find magical Christmas markets, beautifully decorated streets, and lively Christmas parties.

However, our towns often steal the show at Christmas, offering travelers a more authentic and atmospheric experience and more unique things to see and do. That said, here are 12 of the best towns in the UK for a Christmas getaway. These towns are known for their Christmas markets, festive events, and memorable attractions.

Hay-on-Wye

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Hay-on-Wye is the best Christmas town in the UK, especially if you love Christmas markets. It’s only a small market town in Powys, Wales, but it’s famous across the UK for its charming atmosphere and exciting markets. At Christmas, the town hosts a thrilling Christmas market that features independent stalls selling arts and crafts, food, and beverages.

Hay-on-Wye is delightful around Christmas and perfect for families, couples, and laid-back travelers. Once you’ve explored the Christmas Fayre, drank your body weight in mulled wine, and feasted on bratwurst, visit the local bookstores, enjoy a crisp walk along the River Wye, and admire the breathtaking beauty of Hay Castle. You should also tuck into a roast dinner in a traditional British pub.

Chipping Campden

Chipping Campden is a market town in the United Kingdom’s iconic Cotswold district. It’s one of the best Christmas towns to visit in the UK if you want to spend your vacation meandering around Christmas markets, admiring traditional British architecture, and exploring one of the most beautiful regions in England.

The town’s 14th—to 17th-century high street is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. You can expect vibrant Christmas ornaments, Christmas-themed stalls, food wagons, and shop windows brimming with festive cheer. Once you’ve had your fill of the Christmas market and beautiful town center, explore popular attractions like Broadway Tower, National Trust—Dover’s Hill, and Kiftsgate Court Gardens.

Whitby

Whitby is one of the best places for a Christmas break in the UK if you want to combine the Christmas spirit with picturesque scenery. This scenic coastal town in Yorkshire offers festive travelers various Christmas events, a traditional Christmas market, and unique competitions, including the annual Christmas tree decorating competition.

At the Christmas market, you can pick up last-minute gifts, drink alcohol, and sample local cuisine. After, walk along the coast to soak up the United Kingdom’s awesome natural scenery or explore the town’s fascinating attractions. You don’t want to miss the 7th-century Whitby, which appeared in Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel. Other must-visit attractions include Pannett Park, 199 Steps, and Whitby Beach.

Fort William

In Fort William, you can spend your Christmas vacation having fun at Christmas markets, sipping hot chocolate in cozy cafes, and exploring the Scottish Highlands. A big hit with outdoor enthusiasts, Fort William offers easy access to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak, Glenfinnan Viaduct, and Loch Shiel.

Therefore, it’s a great place to visit at Christmas if you love hiking. While the scenery surrounding Fort William is beautiful year-round, it looks spectacular when covered in snow. After a busy day of exploring the Scottish Highlands, grab a mulled wine at the Christmas market or tuck into a hearty meal at a traditional pub. It’s also worth noting that the Northern Lights can occasionally be seen from Fort William.

Ludlow

At Christmas, Ludlow, a medieval town in Shropshire, England, gets into the festive spirit by hosting various Christmas-themed events and activities, including a Christmas market. If you’re lucky, it might even snow during your visit. Ludlow is well known for its beautiful architecture and world-class food and drink.

Therefore, you can expect great things from the town at Christmas. For starters, the medieval streets are adorned with vibrant Christmas decorations. Second, most cafes and restaurants offer festive menus. Finally, Ludlow has many exciting things to see and do besides Christmas celebrations. You’ll have fun visiting Ludlow Castle, exploring Whitcliffe Common Nature Reserve, and shopping at Ludlow Market. What’s not to like?

Oban

Every year at Christmas, Oban, a coastal town in Scotland’s Argyll and Bute region, hosts a winter festival that features craft markets, concerts, local traditions, festive decorations, and Christmas-themed parades. As such, Oban is one of the best Christmas towns in the UK if you’re seeking a traditional Christmas experience in Scotland.

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Offering fun for all the family, this entertaining festival brings the entire town together for Christmas cheer. Highlights include the Santa’s Grotto, the Winter Wellness Weekend, Winter Festival Waffles at the Oban Chocolate Shop, and firework displays. Away from Christmas, Oban is a beautiful place to visit. It offers a stunning coastline to walk along, boat trips to the Isle of Mull, and traditional British cafes and pubs.

Conwy

I live near Conwy, North Wales, so I might be biased, but I believe it’s easily one of the best towns in the UK for Christmas. Famed for its 13th-century castle and castle walls, this gorgeous market town is the perfect setting for a Christmas break. You can walk along the city walls, visit the smallest house in Great Britain, explore Christmas markets, and more.

Besides a wealth of things to see and do, Conwy is a relaxing place to spend Christmas. You can expect fewer crowds than in other towns, a peaceful atmosphere, and laid-back residents. Conwy is also an excellent place to visit if you want to explore Snowdonia National Park, which is on the town’s doorstep.

Portstewart

Another coastal town that delights visitors with Christmas festivities in December is Portstewart on the Northern coast of Northern Ireland. Portstewart is a beautiful town best known for its picturesque natural scenery. While it’s rarely anyone’s first choice for a UK Christmas vacation, it offers much, especially if you love a peaceful atmosphere.

Super relaxed, this charming town hosts several Christmas events, including a Christmas Eve dip in the sea, a Christmas lights switch-on, and Christmas competitions. Meanwhile, many of the cafes, pubs, and restaurants in Portstewart offer festive menus and fun activities, such as quizzes and karaoke nights. You’ll also be ideally placed to visit famous locations like the Dark Hedges, Carrick-a-Rede, and the Giants Causeway.

Bakewell

Bakewell is a quintessential English town offering travelers the best of Britain. Here, you can enjoy the breathtaking English countryside, authentic architecture, and traditional British food and drink. Oh, and let’s not forget, Bakewell is the home of the world-famous Bakewell tart, first created in the 1820s. Bakewell is especially special at Christmas.

This charming British town is transformed at Christmas by bright lights, trees, markets, and festive events, making it the go-to UK town for Christmas. When you’re not exploring the Christmas market, tuck into a Bakewell tart with a cup of tea, enjoy a romantic stroll through the countryside, and take your children to meet Santa Claus at the Bakewell Christmas Sparkle.

Ballycastle

Ballycastle is one of the best-hidden gem towns in the UK for Christmas, offering travelers magnificent scenery, exciting Christmas events, small-town charm, and fascinating attractions. The town hosts Christmas markets, light shows, parades, and parties at Christmas. Meanwhile, children can meet Santa Claus at Broughgammon Farm’s Christmas at the Farm event.

The great thing about Ballycastle is that there are also many things to do when you’re not celebrating Christmas. For example, you can walk along Ballycastle Strand and Ballycastle Beach, hike to Kinbane Castle, and visit famous attractions like Ballintoy Harbour, the Dark Hedges, and Carrick-a-Rede. Alternatively, relax at the marina with some fish and chips.

Rye

12 Best Christmas Towns in the UK Rye — © Helen Hotson / Shutterstock

In Rye, a fairytale medieval town in East Sussex, England, you can participate in the Rye Christmas Festival. The highlight of a trip to the town around Christmas, this annual festival features arts and crafts market stalls, a Santa’s Grotto, live musical performances, competitions, and carol singing. What more could we ask for?

Untouched by time, this gorgeous town also has a rich history that is begging to be explored. Make sure you visit the Rye Castle Museum, Lamb House, Mermaid Street, and the Rye Heritage Museum. Meanwhile, head to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve or the nearby Camber Sands if you’d like to do some picturesque winter walking. Camber Sands is considered one of the UK’s best beaches.

Caernarfon

Caernarfon, a beautiful coastal town in Gwynedd, Wales, is an excellent UK town to visit at Christmas if you dream of bright lights, festive activities, picturesque coastlines, and medieval castles. Year-round, this town is a charming place to visit. You’ll love the 13th-century castle, waterfront promenade, and vibrant town center.

However, Christmas is the best time to visit because Caernarfon offers festive vibes and fun for all. One of the main highlights is the Santa Train, a Christmas-themed steam train that runs from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu. You’ll find Santa Claus and his elves onboard. Caernarfon also hosts various Christmas markets, festive plays, parties, and live music throughout December, including the Caernarfon Community Orchestra Christmas Concert and the Caernarfon Christmas Market.