101 UK Christmas Markets and Events for 2024
From the quiet corners of Scotland to bustling city centres, we have uncovered the best Christmas markets in the...
by Steph Boal / Winter
In the words of Ned Stark, “winter is coming!” It’s the season of festivities, celebrations and all things cosy, and if like us you’re looking for the best things to do in winter, our ultimate winter bucket list has you covered.
We’ve worked with the award-winning author of The Great British Bucket List, Richard Madden, to put together the ultimate winter bucket list based on what Brits would most like to do this winter.
So whether you’re looking to get swept up in the festivities of winter or you’re simply looking for an abundance of fun things to do in winter, then our UK winter bucket list has you covered!
Read on to find the best UK winter things to do, as voted by you…
Here’s a sneak peek of our ultimate list of things to do in winter to get you in the mood for the chilly but cosy season ahead…
First up on our guide to the best things to do in winter is spotting the northern lights on the Isle of Skye. Although the Aurora Borealis has recently been visible throughout the UK, the best place to see the northern lights in Scotland remains the Isle of Skye.
The best time to see the northern lights on the Isle of Skye is between September and March, when dark nights are in full swing. You need to choose a clear night with strong solar activity, so be sure to check Aurora Watch before your visit.
If you’re looking to book your next getaway in an aurora hot spot then some of the best places to see them are on the Trotternish Peninsula and towards the northern end of the island, near the Old Man of Storr. Wrapping up warm and marvelling at one of nature’s best spectacles is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in winter.
Get in the festive spirit with a visit to Edinburgh Christmas markets, the next entry on our winter bucket list. Recognised as one of the UK’s best Christmas markets, you can look forward to over 70 stalls, an ice rink and a big wheel.
Edinburgh’s 2024 Christmas markets begin on the 15th November and continue until the 4th of January. These wonderful stalls house an array of handmade gifts and local produce, as well as countless delicious dishes and drinks. This winter bucket list attraction is perfect for those still Christmas shopping.
As well as the markets, visitors can look forward to the family funfair on West Princes Street, which will also house the angelic tones of live choirs, as well as the undercover ice rink on George Street West and the winter garden in St Andrew Square, which in 2024 will showcase Scotland’s largest Christmas tree maze.
If you’re looking for things to do in winter, Edinburgh is the perfect place. The capital also hosts the unforgettable Hogmanay Street Party, which welcomes some of the world’s biggest artists to its stage.
The Roman Baths in Bath is arguably one of the best-known attractions in the UK and therefore had to feature on our winter bucket list! Located in the heart of this historic city, this winter attraction boasts 2000 years of history.
This magnificent complex was constructed in 70AD and is an example of one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world. Although you can’t actually enjoy a dip, there is plenty to explore during your visit, and you won’t be alone, as this winter activity gets more than 1.3 million visitors each year.
Immerse yourself in the history of this iconic attraction by embarking on a one-hour guided tour, which explores the Roman bathing experience, the Sacred Spring and the beautiful Great Bath. Gain a unique insight into Roman history through relics including the gilt bronze head of Miever and Roman curse tablets as well as historic illustrations.
Overlooking the River Lagan in Northern Ireland‘s capital city is another of the best things to do in winter. The world-famous Titanic Museum tells the tragic story of RMS Titanic.
Covering everything from its conception in Belfast in 1909 to its maiden voyage which ultimately ended in tragedy, this insightful winter attraction boasts ten interactive galleries for you to tour.
This unique attraction was constructed to replicate the shape of the ship’s bow, making it easily recognisable. The museum offers a discovery tour, which runs through why and how the ship was built, as well as showcasing some of the touching personal stories of the ship’s passengers.
Up next on our UK winter bucket list is a must-do for any visit to Scotland: visiting one of the country’s famous whisky distilleries.
This breathtaking country is home to over 150 whisky distilleries, split across five main whisky-producing regions: Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside, and whichever one you choose determines the whisky’s flavour.
This winter bucket list activity is sure to warm you up, as some of the tours offer samples of their delicious whisky! Some of the most popular Scottish whisky tours include Glenturret in Crieff, Torabhaig on the Isle of Skye, Glenkinchie near Edinburgh and Glenfiddich in Dufftown.
Recognised as the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, Windsor Castle is the next entry on our winter bucket list in the UK. This awe-inspiring castle is also frequently recognised as one of the best castles in England.
As well as being one of the best things to do in winter, Windsor Castle is also the official residence of His Majesty King Charles III and welcomes tours through the state apartments, St George’s Chapel, which dates back to 1475, and the moat room, which showcases a bronze model of how the castle looked in 1377.
A visit to this royal attraction also offers the opportunity to witness the pageantry of the Changing of the Guard. This spectacle has been carried out since 1660 and sees the household guards march through Windsor town, before the guard change occurs at the castle.
If you’re wondering when you can watch the Changing of the Guards, your best chance is on either a Thursday or a Saturday, just before 11am. You can check out the British Army’s website for more details on the Changing of the Guards, as this can often change.
Riding the SteamLights at the Bluebell Railway is another of the best things to do this winter. Bluebell Railway is one of the first preserved heritage lines in the country and houses one of the finest collections of vintage steam trains and carriages.
During winter, this historic attraction offers the chance to enjoy the 11-mile journey with a festive twist: adorned with Christmas lights, this magical train also welcomes Santa Claus, who greets all children as they board. A truly wonderful thing to do in winter for families.
Be sure to get there before boarding as they host a fantastic switch-on performance that lights up Sheffield Park Station, the perfect chance for you to grab photos. This year, tickets start from £35 and you can learn more about the event on Bluebell Railway’s website.
Home of code breakers, Bletchley Park is the perfect winter day out for history lovers. Offering unique insights into the story of the amazing World War II code breaks, in the very place that it happened!
With 11 historic buildings, a beautiful mansion, code-breaking huts all featuring faithful interior recreations, it’s unsurprising that Bletchley Park is one of the best things to winter.
You can also find a host of D-Day exhibits, including: Interception, Intelligence, Invasion, The Intelligence Factory and The Bombe Breakthrough. The attraction also hosts events such as vintage Christmas, which will host Father Christmas and codebreaking workshops.
Starling murmurations are a true spectacle of nature and our UK winter bucket list wouldn’t be complete without them! If you’re looking for something truly breathtaking to do this winter, catching a glimpse of a starling murmuration is a must.
During winter, these beautiful birds flock to the UK in search of warm weather. When they arrive each night at dusk, the starlings embark on their communal roost, which takes the form of dynamic shapes across the sky.
This natural marvel can be seen across the whole of the UK, but some of the best locations to tick this off your winter bucket list include the River Exe Estuary in Devon, Dungeness in Kent and RSPB Leighton Moss in Lancashire.
The best time to see starling murmuartions is between the months of October and March and your best chance of catching them is by arriving half an hour before sunset. So wrap up warm this winter during your hunt for the best starling murmuation.
Between February and March, the Yorkshire Dales National Park hosts a Dark Skies Festival – a chance to marvel at the night’s sky, free from light pollution.
In the Yorkshire Dales, enjoy a Café under the Stars, stargazing and night photography, and A Night on the Moon at Stump Cross Caverns, where you can marvel at the moon through telescopes. The nearby North York Moors National Park also hosts a Dark Skies Festival during this time, with events including a night navigation experience and night walks in Robin Hood’s Bay and Lastingham.
Both national parks are Dark Sky Reserves, as recognised by DarkSky, and have been hosting the festival since 2016. 2025’s events are held between the 14th of February and the 2nd of March. As well as stargazing, there will be a whole host of fun activities, making this an idyllic family winter activity.
Taking 11th spot on our UK winter bucket list is the Winter Light Trail at the idyllic Waddesdon Manor. This magnificent light display is sure to get you into the festive spirit!
Built between 1874 and 1885, Waddesdon Manor today welcomes visitors from across the globe who wish to admire some of the treasures on display. These include the Apollo triumphant over Python sculpture and the Fountain of Love Beauvais tapestry. In winter, the spectacular gardens transform into a wonderful light display.
Beginning in November and running until January, this illuminated light trail is split into two sections; the pleasure grounds, which finishes at the north fountain and offers a variety of food, and Miss Alice’s Drive and Stables, which takes around 45 minutes to explore and ends back in the food village. If you time your visit right, you can also experience Waddesdon at Christmas – a sight to behold!
If you want to step back in time this winter, why not enjoy a spot of fossil hunting along Dorset‘s picturesque Jurassic Coast?
Home to some of the best beaches in the whole of the UK, the Jurassic Coast is a haven for those looking to find fossils. Quieter beaches this time of year and rough seas mean that winter is the best time to find fossils along the Jurassic Coast.
Lyme Regis Beach and Charmouth Beach are considered some of the best Dorset beaches for fossil hunting. The most common fossils found here are Ammonites and Belemnites, which can both be found without using a hammer!
You could also join Lyme Regis Museum’s Fossil Walk, where expert guides will lead your walk, perfect for those who aren’t sure what they are looking for. If you still haven’t found a fossil, then head to the Museum of Jurassic Marine Life to see an exciting array of fossil displays.
Recognised as the largest aquarium in the UK, it’s unsurprising that the National Marine Aquarium features in our guide to the best things to do in winter, especially as visiting an aquarium is one of the best things to do on a rainy day.
This winter bucket list activity is bursting at the seams with exhibits to explore; a wonderful day out for the whole family. Explore all four of the aquarium’s zones: Plymouth Sound, British Coasts, Atlantic Ocean and Blue Planet with the Biozone. You can look forward to seeing a variety of wildlife such as Octopus, several species of sharks and countless exotic fish.
The National Marine Aquarium also hosts exciting experiences and activities including snorkelling in the aquarium’s biggest tank, home to stingrays and turtles, sleeping with the sharks, an unforgettable overnight experience, and behind-the-scenes tours.
If, like us, you love wildlife, the next activity should be right up your street. WWT Slimbridge is a wetland wildlife reserve in Gloucestershire, spanning around 2,000 acres and home to a variety of water birds including wildfowl, cranes, swans and a variety of geese.
This winter bucket list attraction hosts a number of events, including the Living Wetland Theatre, where you can watch live demonstrations, a number of talks and tours by wildlife experts, and the unforgettable Canoe Safari, where you can paddle for a kilometre along the trail and uniquely experience the wildlife in their natural habitats.
Be sure to pay a visit to Scott House Museum, which was once the home of Slimbridge’s founder, Sir Peter Scott.
Rounding off our guide to the best winter bucket list activities is snowboarding or skiing at Glenshee. Glenshee Ski Centre is Scotland’s biggest and stretches across four of the best mountains in Scotland.
The winter season at Glensee runs between December and April and offers rental equipment, as well as skiing and snowboarding lessons, ideal for those new to this adrenaline-filled outdoor activity.
There are 3,504 feet of mountains to explore; look forward to zipping down steeps, glades, open bowls and narrow gullies! Glenshee offers seasonal and daily passes, so you can really make the most of this winter wonderland. A thrilling sport blended with the beauty of Scotland, we don’t think you could find a better thing to do in winter!
The fun doesn’t stop in winter either, as Glenshee is also open in summer, offering activities like biking and the chance to bag a Munro!
If our list of things to do in winter has inspired you to book your next break, choose one of these delightful winter holiday cottages. There are countless other things to keep you entertained throughout the year, just check out our ultimate UK bucket list, as well as our summer bucket list and autumn bucket list.
Image Credits: Airwolfhound – CC BY-SA 2.0; Abi Skipp – CC BY 2.0; Rab Lawrence – CC BY 2.0
by Steph Boal / Winter
Hi, I'm Steph and I joined the Sykes team in 2022. I grew up in the North East of England so unsurprisingly I love exploring the w...
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