• Home
  • Blog
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Cape Verde
      • Egypt
      • Morocco
      • South Africa
    • Asia
      • Maldives
      • Sri Lanka
    • Europe
      • Finland
      • France
      • Iceland
      • Poland
      • United Kingdom
    • Middle East
      • Jordan
    • North America
      • Canada
      • USA
  • Van Life
  • Work With Us
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Flashpacking Family
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Mail

17 Top Ideas For Family Christmas Breaks In The UK 2023

If you’ve spent a large part of this year at home and unable to travel, you may be feeling like a family Christmas break is just what you need.

Large Christmas gatherings at home with extended family may not be possible so it could be the ideal time to get away on a Christmas staycation in the UK.

You may also be feeling like letting someone else do the hard work and why not?! There are lots of options for family Christmas breaks in the UK, but these ones are really special.

From Holiday Parks to Theme Parks to Luxury Family Hotels. Wherever you choose, you’re bound to have a fabulously festive time!

To add to the festivities, you might want to combine your Christmas break with a visit to a nearby Christmas market or a Santa’s Grotto.

Also check out this post for inspiration on the best UK cities to visit at Christmas with kids. And if you’re feeling adventurous now that travel has opened up a bit, here’s how to book a DIY Lapland trip that will work out cheaper than a package holiday.

Not quite Christmas yet? We have some great ideas for UK Halloween breaks for families too.

Here are some of the best UK Christmas breaks 2023….

** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and book something, we may earn a small commission but this is at no extra cost to you. Thank You **

  Table of Contents

Holiday Parks
Center Parcs Family Christmas Breaks
Bluestone Family Christmas Breaks
Ribby Hall Village Family Christmas Breaks
Forest Holidays Family Christmas Breaks
Parkdean Warmwell Family Christmas Breaks
Butlins Family Christmas Breaks
Theme Parks
Alton Towers
Chessington World of Adventures
Legoland Windsor
Warwick Castle
Luxury Family Hotels
Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa
Claridge’s
Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa
Cliveden House
Luton Hoo Hotel Golf and Spa
Fowey Hall Hotel
The Ickworth Hotel

Holiday Parks

Holiday Parks in the UK have so much going on at Christmas. They have so much going on at all other times of the year too but Christmas is particularly special. The main UK holiday parks with festive breaks this year are:

Center Parcs Family Christmas Breaks

Center Parcs Christmas breaks

When: From 23rd December to 27th December 2022 for 3, 4, 6 or 7 night breaks.

Where: All Center Parcs locations. Tip – try to go for a lodge with a log burner for the extra festive factor.

Why: Center Parcs at Christmas is really lovely with the Center Parcs Winter Wonderland in full swing. Family Christmas breaks don’t get much more festive than staying here where the place is transformed with snow and lights. The kids can meet Santa and his Elves in the Woodland Workshop before Christmas Day and receive a gift.

There are festive Center Parcs activities for the whole family and if you don’t feel like cooking, you can book a Christmas dinner at one of the restaurants. You can even pre-book a Christmas tree and decorations for your lodge.

Cost: Center Parcs Christmas Break packages start from £979 for a 3 night break in a 2 bedroom Woodland Lodge for 4 people. Prices vary depending on the location. Before you go, make sure to check out our Center Parcs money savings tips.

Winter Wonderland at Center Parcs

Winter Wonderland at Center Parcs | Photo Credit: Center Parcs

Bluestone Family Christmas Breaks

Bluestone

When: From 7th November 2022 to 1st January 2023.

Where: Bluestone Resort, Canaston Wood, The Grange, Narberth, SA67 8DE.

Why: Each lodge receives a personalised Christmas Chronicle from Father Christmas which marks the start of your Christmas adventure. Bluestone transforms into a winter wonderland with tree decorations and illuminated trails with Christmas workshops.

The Serendome (the all-weather play area and the largest umbrella in the UK!) is also transformed into a winter wonderland and the Blue Lagoon transforms into the Elf Lagoon where you can enjoy a subtropical Christmas pool party.

There are additional festive activities for the whole family like decorating gingerbread houses (in-lodge activity) and a festive performance in the Snowglobe – The Dance of the Eira.

If you don’t fancy cooking on Christmas Day, you can book Christmas dinner at the Farmhouse Grill.

Bluestone is one of our top recommendations for a cheaper alternative to Center Parcs. You can find out more about Bluestone’s Christmasland here.

Cost: Bluestone Christmas break packages start from £499 for a 2-bedroom lodge for 4 people for 3 nights (early in November) and increase to £899 the closer you get to Christmas. See here to book.

Christmasland at Bluestone

Christmasland at Bluestone | Photo Credit: Bluestone

Ribby Hall Village Family Christmas Breaks

Ribby Hall Village Winter Wonderland

When: From 11th November to 2nd January 2023.

Where: Ribby Hall Village, Ribby Road, Wrea Green, Lancashire, PR4 2PR.

Why: Visit Santa high up in his magically festive and sparkling gingerbread house and receive a gift.

There are festive activities for the whole family (exactly what you can expect this year is TBC). Meet Rudolf and his friends in the Reindeer Lodge or enjoy milk and cookies during Elves’ story time.

Cost: Ribby Hall Christmas break packages start from £568 for 4 people for 3 nights. Try to nab a lodge with a hot tub to make it a little more special.

Santa's Gingerbread House at Ribby Hall

Santa’s Gingerbread House at Ribby Hall | Photo Credit: Ribby Hall

Forest Holidays Family Christmas Breaks

Forest Holidays Christmas Breaks

When: 3 nights (23rd – 26th), 4 nights (19th to 23rd) and 7 nights (19th – 26th and 23rd to 30th December 2022).

Where: 11 locations across the UK.

Why: You’ll be greeted with mince pies and mulled wine at check-in and a Christmas hamper in your cabin. Cabins are furnished with a real tree for you to decorate.

Get out and about in the forest on the self-led Snowman and The Snowdog trail or a Christmas party (additional cost) and enjoy twinkling lights and other festive touches.

If you fancy a Christmas break to Wales, they have a lovely site in Snowdonia. See our guide to other family-friendly things to do in North Wales.

Cost: Forest Holidays Christmas breaks start from £915 for a 2-bedroom lodge for 3 nights from 24th to 27th December. All cabins have hot tubs but not all have log burners. Click here for more info. They are offering a low 10% deposit until 13th September.

Forest Holidays log cabin in the snow

Forest Holidays log cabin | Photo Credit: Forest Holidays

Parkdean Warmwell Family Christmas Breaks

Festive Breaks with Parkdean Resorts 

When: If you want to stay over Christmas, you’ll need to book 4 or 7 nights from 23rd December 2022.

Where: Warmwell Holiday Park, Warmwell Road, Dorchester, DT2 8JE.

Why: Parkdean festive UK breaks include Christmas entertainment, a visit from Santa and Christmas dining (must be pre-booked). If you’re hoping for a white Christmas, you’ll get close to finding it at Warmwell as it is the only one of the Parkdean holiday parks with an on-site ski centre.

If there is no availability at Warmwell, there are 11 other Parkdean Resorts to choose from.

Cost: From £899 for a 2-bedroom lodge (sleeps 4) from 23rd December for 4 nights.

Parkdean Warmwell Family Christmas Breaks

Parkdean Warmwell Family Christmas Breaks | Photo Credit: Parkdean Resorts

Butlins Family Christmas Breaks

Butlins Christmas breaks

When: From 28th November to 2nd January 2023.

Where: Various Butlins locations – Butlins Minehead, Butlins Bognor Regis and Butlins Skegness.

Why: Visit Father Christmas in his Magical Candy Workshop, watch the Father Christmas Show and catch the Christmas Eve fireworks. If you are looking for fmaily Christmas hotel breaks with entertainment, you can’t get much better than this!

Cost: From £190 for a 1 bedroom (sleeps 4) for a 4-night Christmas Fantasy break (13th December to 17th December) or £199 for a 1 bedroom (sleeps 4) for a 2-night Christmas Fantasy break (20th to 22nd December) or from £599 for a 4-night Christmas Day break from 23rd December.

Other family Christmas breaks at holiday parks

Another suggestion for a UK family Christmas break is Sandy Balls in the New Forest. There are lots of Christmas activities to enjoy during your festive break.

You can read our review of Sandy Balls here.

Christmas Breaks at Butlins

Christmas Breaks at Butlins | Photo Credit: Butlins

Theme Parks

Can you imagine a more fun place for kids at Christmas than a theme park? A few of the big UK theme parks have introduced something called a ‘Santa Sleepover‘ which involves a short break with a festive twist.

See also our guide to what’s on at the Merlin attractions this Christmas.

Alton Towers Resort

Alton Towers Santa Sleepover

When: 27th – 28th November, 3rd – 5th, 10th –  12th and 17th – 23rd December  2022.

Where: Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB.

Why: The Christmassy Escape at Alton Towers offers a festive twist on the usual Alton Towers Resort break. Visit the Garden Lights Walk where the Alton Towers Resort Gardens light up and enjoy festive entertainment. Visit Santa in his Grotto and enjoy a festive evening meal.

Cost: Short breaks of 1 night (1 day park access) start from £400 per family of 4 or £780 for 2 nights.

Chessington World of Adventures

Chessington World of Adventures Father Christmas Sleepover

When: 25th November to 23rd December 2022.

Where: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE.

Why: Plan ahead and make your family’s festive wishes come true. Book a ROARsome winter adventure with a WILD festive break to remember at Chessington World of Adventures Resort.

From Father Christmas Sleepovers where you can meet Father Christmas in his magical grotto with two days entry to the Winters Tail event or enjoy a magical festive break with lots of post-Christmas fun for the whole family before settling in for Britain’s Wildest Sleepover.

Stay at the Chessington Resort Hotels and benefit from being a stones throw away from the Resort, breakfast and event entry! PLUS enjoy magical evening entertainment during your unforgettable overnight stay.

Cost: Short (Father Christmas Sleepover) breaks of 1 night (2 day park access) – from £306 for a family of 4 staying in a themed hotel from 25th November until 23rd December. Festive Breaks between Christmas and New Year will include 1 night and 1 day park access (from 26th December to 2nd January 2023).

Girl playing in the snow at Santa Sleepover in Chessington World of Adventures

Photo Credit: Chessington World of Adventures

The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort

The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Holidays

When: Select dates from 2nd to 23rd December 2022.

Where: The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY.

Why: The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Christmas breaks offer a magical winter wonderland. There is no Santa Grotto this year but you will be able to see Father Christmas riding around the Park.

There are additional festive extras like carol singing DUPLO® characters, the Holiday Harbour Lights Show and the DUPLO® puppet pantomime.

Visiting The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort with little ones? Make sure to check out our Visiting LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort with Small Kids post and have a look at what is going on at Windsor Castle, one of the most impressive castles in England.

Cost: Short breaks of 1 night and 1 day in the Park start from £465 for a family of 4 in a themed hotel.

Santa on a sleigh waving

Photo Credit: LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle Santa Sleepover

When: 26th & 27th November, 3rd & 4th and 10th to 23rd December 2021.

Where: Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 6AH.

Why: Placed somewhere between being one of the most impressive castles in England  and an immersive exploration into History, Warwick Castle has Christmas all wrapped up!

They are offering a one night stay, including entry to the castle – where you can enjoy a range of festive activities! Spend the night in the cosy Knight’s Village with Christmas themed evening entertainment. Then, awake in the morning to Elves bearing gifts, before meeting Santa and Mrs Claus themselves.

Cost: Short breaks of 1 night (2 day castle access) start from £499 for a family of 4.

Click here to see more options for Santa Sleepovers in the UK.

Luxury Family Hotels

There are some really beautiful hotels in the UK that go above and beyond when it comes to Christmas. Despite the price tag, they get booked up far in advance of Christmas.

Here is a small selection of the best luxury family hotels in the UK if you are looking for all inclusive family Christmas breaks UK 2022.

Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa

Chewton Glen Christmas House Party

Where: The Chewton Glen Hotel, Christchurch Road, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 6QS.

Why: The focus in on enjoying amazing food in a thoroughly festive setting. The hotel is a 20-minute walk from the coast which is perfect for a Christmas Day family walk to walk off your Christmas dinner.

Cost: 3-night Christmas House Party from 24th to 27th December 2022 start from £5070 based on 2 adults (and up to 2 children under the age of 5 stay and eat for free). Larger rooms (additional cost) are available for families with older children.

Take a look at their luxury treehouse for something a little diffferent. It’s one of the most luxurious treehouse escapes for families.

The Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa at Christmas

The Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa at Christmas | Photo Credit: Chewton Glen Hotel

Claridge’s

Where: Claridge’s, 94 Harley Street, Marylebone, London, W1G 7HX.

Why: Stay in the heart of London in one of the most exclusive hotels and enjoy everything that Christmas in London with kids has to offer. Enjoy little touches like stockings and mince pies, Christmas storytelling and carol singing as well as the most extravagant Christmas menus. Claridge’s offers a truly luxury Christmas hotel break.

While there, you can book a festive afternoon tea, one of the best afternoon teas in London.

It is worth staying just for a view of their incredibly extravagant Christmas tree installations!

See here for more suggestions for family-friendly hotels in London and the best attractions in London for kids.

Cost: From £4,515 for a 3 night stay arriving on 23rd or 24th December 2022.

Festive decorations at Claridge's

Festive decorations at Claridge’s | Photo Credit: Claridge’s

Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa

Lucknam Park Christmas Celebration 2023

Where: Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne, Thickwood, Chippenham, SN14 8AZ.

Why: Enjoy a traditional English Christmas with all the trimmings but without the hassle. It is one of the best all inclusive family Christmas breaks in the UK.

From champagne receptions with carol singing to Father Christmas arriving on Christmas Day in a horse drawn carriage to deliver gifts to a Boxing Day panotmime at the Theatre Royal in Bath.

You may also have time to check out the Bath Christmas markets, some of the best Christmas markets in the UK.

Cost: A 3-night package from 24th to 27th December based on 2 sharing a room (children under 12 can stay in the same room for an additional £175 per child) starts from £1470.

Father Christmas at Lucknam Park at Christmas

Father Christmas at Lucknam Park at Christmas | Photo Credit: Lucknam Park

Cliveden House

Cliveden House Christmas House Party

Where: Cliveden House, Cliveden Road, Taplow, Maidenhead, SL6 0JF.

Why: Cliveden House, one of the most beautiful country estates turned hotels in the UK, offers one of the best country house Christmas breaks with all the trimmings and trappings!

Make sure to take a Christmas Day walk around the grounds of Cliveden, a National Trust property (for an additional fee).

Cost: A 3-night package from 24th to 27th December based on 2 sharing a room (children under 5 can stay in the same room for free) starts from £4280.

Cliveden House at Christmas

Cliveden House at Christmas | Photo credit: Cliveden House

Luton Hoo Hotel Golf and Spa – (2021 prices are still to be released)

Christmas House Party at Luton Hoo

Where: Luton Hoo Hotel, The Mansion House, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3TQ

Why: Enjoy a traditional country house Christmas. In addition to the Christmas meals and champagne receptions with carols, there is a a host of activities for little ones, family story time, a family quiz and Boxing Day activities for the whole family.

Cost: A 3-night package from 24th to 27th December based on 2 sharing a room starts from £915. Children under 2 can stay in the same room for free and children from 2 to 14 are an additional £75 per child per night.

Father Christmas at Luton Hoo Hotel & Spa

Father Christmas at Luton Hoo Hotel & Spa | Photo Credit: Luton Hoo Hotel

Fowey Hall Hotel

Christmas at Fowey Hall Hotel

Where: Fowey Hall Hotel, Hanson Drive, Fowey, PL23 1ET.

Why: Fowey Hall transforms into a Christmas wonderland with decorations and lights twinkling.  There’s plenty to keep the kids entertained in the Four Bear’s Den as well as Christmas tree decorating with mince pies and carol singing, a gingerbread house making competition.

Meet Father Christmas on Christmas Eve, a festive Christmas lunch followed by children’s entertainer and family board games. There’s so much going on for families.

Cost: From £3150 for a 4-night Christmas break based on a family of 4 sharing a room from 23rd to 27th December 2022 including dinner, bed & breakfast and a Christmas Day lunch.

Reindeer at Fowey Hall Hotel

Reindeer at Fowey Hall Hotel | Photo Credit: Fowey Hall Hotel

The Ickworth Hotel

Christmas at The Ickworth Hotel

Where: The Ickworth Hotel, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5QE

Why: It is a beautiful country house set in 1800 acres of National Trust Parkland. It’s one of the most family-friendly luxury hotels in Suffolk.

There are Christmas activities to keep the kids entertained in the Four Bear’s Den and you can even have a lie in on Boxing Day while the kids are busy enjoying kids’ club.

If there is no availability here, you might like to check out these unusual places to stay in Suffolk.

See here for a complete guide to Christmas events in Suffolk this year.

Cost: From £2190 for a 4-night Christmas break based on a family of 4 sharing a room from 23rd to 27th December 2022 including dinner, bed & breakfast and a Christmas Day lunch.

Christmas at the Ickworth Hotel

Christmas at the Ickworth Hotel | Photo Credit: The Ickworth Hotel

One last thing before you go – don’t forget to pack your family Christmas pyjamas and your Christmas jumpers for the perfect family Christmas break!

You might also like…

35 Seriously Festive Santa Train Rides In The UK

40+ Brilliant Gift Ideas For Kids Who Love To Travel

A Complete Guide to the Christmas Light Trails in the UK

The Best Places to See the London Christmas Lights

Our 10 Top Fun Things to do at Christmas with Kids

Things to do in Norfolk at Christmas

Things to do in Suffolk at Christmas

Things to do in Essex at Christmas

Things to do in Cambridgeshire at Christmas

Things to do in Hertfordshire at Christmas

Our Favourite Travel Resources

Accommodation: Booking.com is our favourite choice for booking places to stay with their flexible cancellation policy and VRBO for their huge selection of self-catering rental properties.

Flights: Find cheap flights using Skyscanner.

Insurance: Staysure is our go-to travel insurance provider. This link gives you 20% off your first policy.

Tours and Activities: We find that GetYourGuide has the most comprehensive range of activities worldwide.

Airport Lounge Pass: For getting access to 1300 airport lounges in 600 countries around the world, use Priority Pass.

We would not be without: Our National Trust and English Heritage memberships.

The Best Family Christmas Breaks in the UK

The Best 2020 Family Christmas Breaks in the UK

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Flashpacking Family.

Hi! We’re Ed, Jacs, Ernie and George. We’re passionate about adventurous family travel, and by sharing our detailed itineraries, travel tips and inspiration, we hope to provide you with the confidence to leap into the world of adventurous travel with kids too.



Booking.com

 

Most Popular Posts

  • 30+ Fabulous Free Things To Do In London With Kids
  • 14 Alternatives to Center Parcs that won’t break the bank
  • The Best Family Hotels In London To Suit All Budgets In 2023
  • The Ultimate Campervan Essentials Packing List For 2023
  • 40+ Brilliant Gift Ideas for Kids Who Travel (Updated 2023)
  • The Best Beaches Near London (Within 2.5 Hours) To Visit In 2023
  • The MOST Child Friendly Restaurants In London In 2023
  • 25 Best Day Trips From London By Train (In +/- 2 Hours)

We participate in various affiliate marketing programs. Flashpacking Family is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Most popular posts

Guide to visiting Lake Louise, Canada

Jordan itinerary

Sri Lanka’s best beaches

Things to do in Suffolk with kids

Free things to do in London for kids

 

© Copyright 2023 - Flashpacking Family
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Mail
  • Family Travel
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy
The 11 UK Polar Express Train Rides 2023: A Complete Guide The Polar Express Train Ride Map reading on the Wendover Woods Gruffalo Trail Exploring The Wendover Woods Gruffalo Trail: A Family Guide
Scroll to top