Best Christmas Days Out for the Family

With dazzling grottos, enchanting lights, and visits from Santa Claus, everyone could do with some quality time with loved ones this Christmas. Whether you're discovering a new city, heading to a theme park, or exploring a Winter Wonderland, here are the best Christmas days out in the UK with CrossCountry.

Christmas at Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is somehow even more beautiful covered with a dusting of snow and illuminated with technicoloured festive lights. When the World Heritage Site opens its gates each Christmas, families are greeted by a towering tree adorned with shiny baubles, scores of twinkling fairy lights across the entire grounds, and sky-high glowing fountains. It's truly a spectacle worth travelling for. Among the festive activities, Christmas at Blenheim Palace offers a Neverland themed adventure, where little ones can join Tinkerbell in the State rooms as she sprinkles festive fairy magic across the grand palace.

There's also an ice skating rink situated in the Great Court, where visitors can stumble or glide on the ice against the beautiful backdrop of the great house. Blenheim Palace is located just north of Oxford, making it easy to catch a bus straight there from Oxford station. We recommend grabbing the S3 Gold towards Chipping Norton, it'll get you to the palace in roughly forty five minutes.

LEGOLAND at Christmas

LEGO and Christmas are the dream combination for many children in the UK, and LEGOLAND has made their dreams come true. Enjoy a magical day of amazing rides, attractions, and entertainment as soon as you set foot in the park – making it a fun, festive day out for all the family. With Christmas-themed shows, an elf workshop, and a very special guest who has travelled all the way from the North Pole to meet your little elves, this will be a day they'll never forget. Of course, LEGOLAND has gone all out and built a jaw-dropping 8m high LEGO Christmas tree if you weren't impressed already.

LEGOLAND is located in Windsor, with its closest train station being Windsor & Eton Central. From there, multiple bus services run between the two locations, helping you reach LEGOLAND in approximately thirty minutes. Why not make your visit to Windsor a festive weekend break and visit Windsor Castle too? The castle is stunning at Christmas, with fir trees, wreaths, decorations, and twinkling lights covering the ancient walls and stately rooms.

Christmas at Westonbirt

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, is presenting a dazzling light trail through the winding woods this Christmas. After teaming up with the masterminds that have pulled off Christmas at Kew and Christmas at Blenheim Palace each year, Westonbirt is set to be a real spectacle. The trail will take visitors past many species of trees illuminated with colour and light. Look out for the glowing birds perched up high in the branches. For a bite to eat or a belly-warming hot drink, head to the Christmas village for a selection of independent food vendors. 

Christmas at Westonbirt is located in Tetbury. For those looking to take public transport, there are buses several times a day from Stroud station to The National Arboretum. There are direct trains to Stroud from Gloucester, Reading, and Cheltenham Spa.

Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland

With an outdoor Christmas ice rink, Santa's grotto, and an après-skate café, visitors can get the full North Pole experience without flying at Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland. Front and centre is the Ice Factor, the largest ice rink in the whole of the North of England and the perfect place to show off your skating skills. After hitting the ice, the whole family can have hours of fun chasing around on the vintage dodgems and riding on the Waltzers. If you're looking to warm yourself up and watch the skaters, you may find yourself tucking into some delicious food and drink in The Chalet, a cosy alpine-themed café.

Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland is a thirty minute bus ride on the Number 7 Park and Ride from York station, if you're visiting by train. It's located at York Designer Outlet, meaning there could be time for a shopping spree before enjoying the festive fun.

Christmas at Paultons

Paultons Park hosts, perhaps, one of the best festive events for families with young children in the UK. The famous Peppa Pig World gets a Christmassy make-over, with the chance to meet Peppa and George in their winter coats and boots. The perfect opportunity for jumping up and down in muddy puddles. Santa and his reindeer will also pay a visit to the park, equipped with plenty of festive stories to tell and Christmas cheer to spread. Roam the park and see the luminous lights and the sparkling Christmas trees and stay for the Santa's Christmas Wish Show, which features singing, dancing, and sensational special effects.

Paultons Park is eight miles from Southampton Central. Just grab the X74 bus towards Salisbury, and you'll be there in around forty five minutes. There are plenty of things to do at Paulton's Park all year round, so don't miss a summer or spring visit.

If you’re planning a Christmas day out with the family, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.