It’s that time of year: carols are on the radio, the trees are being decorated and talk has turned to turkey. That also means, of course, that the school holidays are fast approaching, and so too is the need for entertainment. There’s the brief reprieve supplied by Christmas Day itself, of course, and the hope that toys received as gifts will provide some distraction. But that tricky period until January looms large in the minds of parents.
Happily, the nation’s museums, castles, railways and theatres have rallied to keep little ones feeling jubilant (and, helpfully, provide something for the older members of the family, too). Many are offering seriously diverting craft sessions or joyous, twinkling light shows. Don your wellies and explore the rambling broads of Wicken Fen with a festive walking trail, or climb aboard the Polar Express in Aberystwyth.
Many attractions are suggesting Father Christmas might make a visit, so tinier visitors should have their lists ready. If all else fails, there is, of course, always the pantomime. Whether you’re looking for an escape into the countryside or to rediscover a nearby city, these are the best Christmas days out in England, Scotland and Wales.
Explore activities by region:
North East
Bamburgh Castle’s Christmas installation, Northumberland
Until Jan 4
The ever-beautiful state rooms of Bamburgh Castle have been transformed into a very theatrical vision of Christmas. Go simply for the dramatic designs, or book on to the Father Christmas Experience for a thoroughly festive day trip.
How to do it
Tickets are £19.95 for adults, £10 for children (children aged four and under are free). Entry is free for Bamburgh Castle annual passholders.
Enjoy a theatrical vision of Christmas at Bamburgh – Stuart Boulton
The country’s largest Christmas tree, at Cragside, near Morpeth
Until Jan 4
Gaze up in wonder at the country’s largest living Christmas tree – all 45 metres of it – at Cragside. The site has been transformed into colourful party inspired by a real-life Servants’ Ball held at the home in 1894, meaning children can explore its magical halls to their hearts’ content.
How to do it
Tickets from £15 for adults and £7.50 for children. Free for children under five.
Christmas evenings at Beamish, near Stanley
Until Dec 24
Georgian greenery, Second World War cooking and 1950s toy shopping are all part of the Beamish experience this Christmas – plus Santa Claus is rumoured to be making a visit.
How to do it
Tickets are valid for a year’s worth of entry, from £27.95 for adults and £17.25 for children. Family tickets start at £61.
At Beamish, tickets are valid for a year’s worth of entry
The Elf Academy, MetroCentre, Newcastle
Until December 24
The smaller members of your family will delight in the Metrocentre’s Elf Academy, where challenges include “Northern Lights laser training” and “Elf and Fitness classes” (plus, it’s extremely convenient for last-minute present buying).
How to do it
Tickets from £5 for adults and £12 for children (including a graduation gift and an elf hat).
Yorkshire
Stick Man, Leeds Playhouse
Until January 4
For something a bit quieter than a pantomime, head to Leeds Playhouse for Stick Man, an enchanting, snow-filled performance for younger children.
How to do it
Tickets from £16.50.
Santa’s Christmas Tour at York’s Chocolate Story
Until December 23
Taking the children on a guided tour at York’s Chocolate Story might be the tastiest way to introduce them to the city’s history – you’ll certainly be very popular.
How to do it
Tickets to Santa’s Christmas Tour from £27.50 per person (including chocolate tastings).
Tickets to York’s Chocolate Story include tastings
Christmas at Nostell, near Wakefield
Until January 4
Nostell, a Georgian manor in West Yorkshire, has been transformed into a winter wonderland – complete with gingerbread village and seasonal crafts. Father Christmas will be wandering the house on weekends, too.
How to do it
Tickets to Nostell from £13 for adults and £6.50 for children.
Christmas at Castle Howard, near York
Until January 4
Castle Howard has embraced Alice in Wonderland this Christmas, where guests can follow the White Rabbit through grand corridors and regal rooms to reveal festive surprises.
How to do it
From £38 for adults and £19 for children.
North West
Once Upon a Christmas at the Mansion, Cheshire
Until Dec 31
Each of the grand staterooms at Tatton Park has been transformed into a different classic tale, where visitors are immersed in the worlds of the Nutcracker, the Snow Queen, and A Christmas Carol, through enchanting displays, lights and music.
How to do it
Tickets are £15 for adults, £11 for children, and infants under two go free.
The Gruffalo and Friends Clubhouse, Blackpool
Until Jan 4
The Gruffalo and Friends Clubhouse is perfect for burning off some steam. Expect adventure play and sensory rooms, plus a family dance party with characters from the popular Julia Donaldson books.
How to do it
Tickets from £5.50 for adults and £12 for children.
Enjoy a family dance party with characters from The Gruffalo – Anthony Devlin
Christmas Through the Ages at Hoghton Tower, near Preston
Until Dec 20
Elizabethan manor house Hoghton Tower is a charming diversion throughout winter, but children will be especially delighted by their “Christmas through the ages” guided tours, exploring the history of our festive traditions.
How to do it
Tickets from £12.70.
East of England
Christmas tree maze, Cambridge
Until December 31
Get lost on Parker’s Piece in a maze made of over 300 illuminated Christmas trees, in a challenge that is guaranteed to delight older children.
How to do it
Tickets are £4; children under three are free.
Lincoln Castle illuminated
Until December 23
Lincoln Castle has gone all-out this year, with an illuminated wall walk, a snow machine, fairground rides and a “Christmas Express” train ride – making the historic site doubly exciting to explore once the sun has set.
How to do it
Tickets are £12 for adults and £7 for children.
Head off on an illuminated wall walk at Lincoln Castle
Father Christmas at the Fen
Until December 23
Wintry Wicken Fen is the home to the charming Fen Cottage, where you and your little ones can join the elves to make a Christmas craft before meeting Father Christmas himself and receiving a present.
How to do it
Tickets are £14.50 per child. Advance bookings essential.
Jack & The Beanstalk, Peterborough
Until January 4
The nostalgic charm of a pantomime will always delight, even if you think you’ve heard all the Widow Twankey jokes. In Peterborough, the New Theatre is staging a production of Jack & The Beanstalk, packed full of bawdy jokes and gleeful festive cheer.
How to do it
Tickets from £12.
Midlands
Santa’s Incredible Inventions, Cadbury World, Bournville
Until December 24
If you’re determined to maximise your proximity to chocolate this year, Cadbury World is the place to visit this Christmas. Alongside the usual factory tours, guests can join Santa for a show in his magical workshop.
How to do it
Tickets from £22 for adults and for children; Santa’s show costs an additional £8 per person.
Cadbury World factory tours are supplemented with a chance to see Santa for his live show
Christmas at Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn, Stafford
Until December 24
For those who would rather stay seated while the little ones frolic, Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn promises a visit from Father Christmas (along with a gift), a craft activity, a deluxe hot chocolate and a snack, plus lots of time to play.
How to do it
The Christmas Package costs £30 per child.
Winter Glow, Malvern
Until December 31
Winter Glow is ideal for foodies, with a food quarter, café and bar to pick from throughout the day. Between meals, keep the rest of the family busy with an indoor ice rink, illuminated lights trail and ultraviolet crazy golf.
How to do it
Entry to the market and food court is free, activities from £4.
An indoor ice rink is perfect for family entertainment at Winter Glow – Mikal Ludlow
Santa’s Winter Wonderland, at the Snow Dome, Tamworth
Until January 7
The Snow Dome is something of an institution, and its Christmas offering happily continues well into the new year, making it a great option for the post-festivities lull. Events include a mini pantomime and Santa’s village, plus the opportunity to play in real snow.
How to do it
Tickets from £18.95 per person.
The South West and South East
Steam illuminations, the Watercress Line, New Alresford
Until January 4
The quaint Watercress Line gets a psychedelic makeover for Christmas. Board the vintage steam train and be dazzled by a magical light show for nearly two hours – plus become a part of the show with light-up wristbands.
How to do it
Tickets start at £32 per person (children under two travel free).
The brightly decorated vintage steam train at New Alresford runs for nearly two hours – Graham Hunt /Alamy Stock Photo
The Jungle Book Christmas at Bateman’s, Burwash
Until January 4
Head to Bateman’s, a Jacobean house in the heart of the Sussex countryside, for a glimpse of Christmas in a warmer climate. The joyful books of former resident Rudyard Kipling are being brought to life by a display of new illustrations, dotted throughout the home.
How to do it
The exhibit is free, but usual admission tickets are needed; from £17 for adults and £8.50 for children.
Glow 2025 at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington
Until December 30
Wander down a light trail through the grounds at RHS Rosemoor that have been brought to life with festive installations. There’s a winter sculpture exhibition to stop by along the way.
Gardens are brought to life by festive characters at RHS Rosemoor
How to do it
Tickets from £13.50 for adults and £7.25 for children aged five to 16.
London
The Elves and the Magic Bear, Greenwich
Until December 23
Take the family to the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich for the interactive The Elves and the Magic Bear show, bursting with singing, dancing and a lot of elf-born chaos.
How to do it
Tickets from £13 per person.
Enchanted Ice Grotto, Camden
Until December 24
Camden Market might not seem like the most festive of locations, but shun images of beleaguered goths from your mind and instead take the family to explore its display of five Christmas trees, glittering lights and Santa’s Grotto, the proceeds of which will be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
How to do it
Tickets to the Grotto are £12.
Head to Camden for Christmas trees, glittering lights and Santa’s Grotto – David Parry
Wales
Explorer Club at the Hawarden Estate, Deeside
Until December 21
The Hawarden Estate is a charming place to spend an afternoon regardless of the season. Children will be particularly enamoured by the Explorer Club, which allows them to learn about nature, participate in crafts and gather around the campfire.
How to do it
Tickets are £10 per child.
Christmas Reindeer Trail at Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan
Until January 4
From pin the nose on the reindeer to snowball and spoon races, Dyffryn Gardens is packed full of activities this year. It’s an ideal one for when the board games at home aren’t hitting the spot – with marble runs, guess the Christmas songs and seasonal treats in café, there are plenty of festive distraction.
How to do it
Tickets from £13 for adults and £6.50 for children.
Dyffryn Gardens is packed full of activities this year – alamy
Mari Lwyd Walk, Llanwrtyd Wells
December 31
For something more traditional, join the Mari Lwyd walk on New Year’s Eve, where a parade is led by the “Mari”, a decorated horse’s skull carried on a pole, and participants follow with burning torches. It’s a glimpse at a more folkloric Wales, that’s bound to captivate older children.
How to do it
Join the parade at 10pm in Llanwrtyd Wells town square.
Scotland
‘Ancient Twi-lights’ at Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Cairngorms
Until January 4 (returning for February half-term)
This is a festive trail with a difference. Grab the bravest members of your family and explore the treetops at Landmark Forest Adventure Park, where the route is illuminated in ultraviolet light.
How to do it
Tickets from £17 for adults and £12 for children.
Christmas markets, Edinburgh
Until January 4
Christmas markets needn’t be a chore. Edinburgh’s, right in the heart of the city, combines shopping potential and fairground rides, making it much more high octane than a traditional fair.
How to do it
Find more details on Visit Scotland.
Edinburgh Christmas market sits right in the heart of the city – Getty
Dumfries Choral Society Christmas Concert, St John’s Church, Dumfries
December 22
There are few things more cheering than a carol concert, especially one so close to Christmas. This jolly service by Dumfries Choral Society, will get the whole family into the spirit of things.
How to do it
Tickets are £10 for adults but free for children. The service begins at 7.30pm.
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