17 Top Ideas For Family Christmas Breaks In The UK 2024

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 2024….

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The best family Christmas breaks in the UK…

There are so many ideas for festive breaks for families in the UK to suit all budgets, there’s bound to something for you.

Family Christmas breaks at 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 8th November to 2nd January 2025 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.

Bluestone Family Christmas Breaks

Bluestone

When: From 24th November 2024 to 2nd January 2025.

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.

Ribby Hall Village Family Christmas Breaks

Ribby Hall Village Winter Wonderland

When: From 15th November to 3rd January 2025.

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. Meet Santa in his grotto and 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.

Forest Holidays Family Christmas Breaks

Forest Holidays Christmas Breaks

When: 16th to 30th December 2024.

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 (select dates). Cabins are furnished with a real tree for you to decorate (for bookings from 16th to 30th December only).

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.

Blackwood Forest and Forest of Dean will have a winter lights trail for you to enjoy.

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. All cabins have hot tubs but not all have log burners. Click here for more info.

Parkdean Warmwell Family Christmas Breaks

Festive Breaks with Parkdean Resorts 

When: 29th November to 29th December 2024. If you want to stay over Christmas, you’ll need to book 4 or 7 nights.

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.

Butlins Family Christmas Breaks

Butlins Christmas breaks

When: From 25th November to 23rd December 2024.

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.

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: 29th November to 31st December 2024.

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: From £90 per person. More info here.

Just visiting for the day? Buy your Alton Towers tickets on the Alton Towers website here.

Chessington World of Adventures

Chessington World of Adventures Father Christmas Sleepover

When: 23rd November to 31st December 2024.

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 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: From £49 per person.

Just visiting for the day? Buy your Chessington tickets on the Chessington website here.

Read our review of Chessington World of Adventures here to get the most out of your visit.

The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort

The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Holidays

When: Select dates from 22nd November to 4th January.

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

Why: The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Christmas breaks offer a magical winter wonderland. You’ll get the chance to se Father Christmas riding around the Park on his sleigh.

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 £424 for a family of 4 in a themed hotel.

See here for Legoland Windsor day tickets.

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle Santa Sleepover

When: Select dates from 23rd November to 23rd December 2024.

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: From £50 per person.

See here for Warwick Castle day tickets.

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 2023.

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 2023 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.

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.

Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa

Lucknam Park Christmas Celebration

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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!

We hope you enjoyed these ideas for family Christmas breaks in the UK. Let us know if you have any to add.

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