Where to go in UK for Xmas? Quaint village/town feel

[Neil-nvaua]

My wife and I have a rare opportunity to go away for 3/4/5 nights over Xmas itself - work normally doesn't allow this. We will have our dog with us so has to be in the UK, and preferably mainland. No kids.

Any recommendations for a quaint village or town that is aesthetically pleasing, has nice walks nearby, a cosy village pub or two?

As a for example, we love places like Ambleside and Grasmere in the Lake District, but go there a few times a year and are keen to maybe find somewhere new to us with a similar feel - any ideas/recommendations? We don't know Northumberland, Yorkshire, Peak District etc etc but sure there must be some gems in amongst there for example?

Driving distance not really a problem but coming from Central Scotland we'd ideally choose somewhere North of Bath in England, Wales, and Scotland itself would be easier. Weather not a consideration as it can't be predicted anyway.

[Harpoon]

Few quick suggestions...

Northumberland: Craster or Bamburgh. Walking from Craster to the Ship Inn at Low Newton (past the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle) is an absolute favourite in our house. Boulmer village is smaller but has self catering options and a pub.

North Yorkshire Dales: We stayed in Reeth in December a few years ago. Good choice of walks from the front door with a bakery, shop and pubs in the village. Handy for exploring places like Richmond and Leyburn if the weather is poor and you don't fancy getting properly wet. Good pubs in some of the surrounding villages as well. We rented this place which was spot-on and still looks to get good reviews.

https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottage/oc-39370...

Peaks: No shortage of villages. Hartington is pretty with several pubs, likewise Ashford in the Water which is handy for Bakewell, Chatsworth etc. Also Castleton for the Hope Valley. Eyam has a lot of history and not far from the Longshow Estate (National Trust) for walking (not that the Peaks is short of options).

One last one to add: Masham. Two breweries, several pubs, shops etc. Not far to Ripon and Fountains Abbey.

[theboss]

Welsh Marches - Church Stretton, Ludlow etc?

[Tickle]

We had family in Kirkby Lonsdale, spent a lot of time there. Dent is also nice, albeit quieter

[ARH]

Llangollen.

[Neil-nvaua]

Thanks for the suggestions so far - a quick google of them all throws up photos of the kind of place we are looking for so will delve in further this evening.

[blue_haddock]

theboss said:

Welsh Marches - Church Stretton, Ludlow etc?

Yep shropshire hills was going to be my vote too.

[knotweed]

A long time ago now but stayed in Clapham (the Yorkshire one) for Christmas, at the New Inn. Walked up to Gaping Gill on Christmas Day in the snow. The Inn's probably changed a bit since I was there but it would be worth a look.

[quarryman111]

Stay at one of several cottages available at Chatsworth; eat/drink at their own pubs/restaurants; abundance of Peak District walks and sights nearby.

[quarryman111]

Stay at one of several cottages available at Chatsworth; eat/drink at their own pubs/restaurants; abundance of Peak District walks and sights nearby.

[ARH]

blue_haddock said:

theboss said:

Welsh Marches - Church Stretton, Ludlow etc?

Yep shropshire hills was going to be my vote too.

I personally think Ludlow has seriously gone downhill in the last 5 years or so. But the Welsh marches would get my vote, Maybe Montgomery, Clun or Bishop's Castle would be a good base for walking the hills round there, that not many would pick, but are nice places.

[blue_haddock]

ARH said:

blue_haddock said:

theboss said:

Welsh Marches - Church Stretton, Ludlow etc?

Yep shropshire hills was going to be my vote too.

I personally think Ludlow has seriously gone downhill in the last 5 years or so. But the Welsh marches would get my vote, Maybe Montgomery, Clun or Bishop's Castle would be a good base for walking the hills round there, that not many would pick, but are nice places.

I dont tend to venture into ludlow all too often apart from the occasional trip for supplies at the ludlow farm shop.

Personally i love Church Stretton and would recommend that as an ideal base.

Easy to reach shrewsbury, ludlow, ironbridge etc with plenty of decent pubs locally and easy walk up onto the long mynd,

[TheHeadhunter]

My favourite UK Christmas destination is Edinburgh. Not really a Quaint village/town feel, but it's a perfect vibe. We go every year.

[theplayingmantis]

TheHeadhunter said:

My favourite UK Christmas destination is Edinburgh. Not really a Quaint village/town feel, but it's a perfect vibe. We go every year.

im sure thats of great use to the OP!

maybe a bit far op and some good suggestions on here in the peaks and marches, but consider north Norfolk, various villages on the sea (marshes), but then I'm a sucker for a bleak/grimly beautiful grey north sea vista in winter. plenty of quality pubs etc and places to stay. Holt (town rather the village a bit inland) is stunning imo at Christmas.

[loskie]

Peebles is quite nice but not sure how much open at Christmas.

It's the people rather than the place that make a thing like this special.

Kirkcudbright
Gatehouse Of Fleet
Isle Of Whithorn


I think weather makes all the difference

Edited by loskie on Monday 19th October 19:41