Whether you're planning to escape the cooking and washing up this Christmas, or want to fill 'twixmas' with some memory-making fun, a family Christmas break could be just the ticket.
There are plenty of UK staycation options for the whole family to enjoy around this time of year that don't involve getting everyone on a busy flight - while we love the film, we don't need any Home Alone drama in our lives! And the UK has so many beautiful landscapes, thrilling theme parks, fascinating museums, and kid-friendly spots so exploring all this wonder on your doorstep makes sense at Christmas. From cosy woodland retreats to fun theme park hotel stays, holiday parks to once-a-year indulgent hotel stays, there's so many options for family breaks over Christmas.
So, whether you're in need of inspiration or just want some ideas for a stress free Christmas, we've got you covered with plenty of family Christmas breaks in the UK to choose from. All you need to remember is the matching family Christmas pyjamas for that cute social media shot to make you the envy of your friends!
Overnight Family Christmas Breaks
LEGOLAND®, Windsor, Santa Sleepovers
Christmas time is arguably the best time to enjoy LEGOLAND® with plenty of events and festive fun to keep you and your little ones entertained. Although they close on Christmas and Bank Holiday's, you can enjoy a break in the run up to Christmas or a twixmas break before New Year.
As well as being able to see the giant DUPLO® Christmas Tree up close and the festive attractions, you'll also get the chance to meet Santa too.
Price for a family of 4: From £414 for a family of 4 for a Festive Sleepover and breakfast, including 1-day entry to Legoland. Upgrade available to meet Santa in his cabin.
Age suitability: 3-12
Getting there: Parking is free at Resort Hotel, nearest train station: Windsor & Eaton Central (LEGOLAND shuttle), Windsor & Eaton Riverside (10 minute walk)
Dates: Available on selected dates from 22nd November 2024 - 4th January 2025
Pros: Stays at the resort includes access to the park, breakfast in the morning, evening entertainment, Free parking and Wi-Fi.
Cons: Some rides can close in the cold or rainy weather, food isn't the best quality
Alton Towers Santa Sleepovers
There's so much going on at Alton Towers Resort at this time of year, it has to be one of the best twixmas breaks for families. As well as getting the chance to visit the famous CBeebies Land and enjoy Alton Towers, you can pay a visit to Santa's Grotto in Mistletoe Lane! And new for 2024, you can watch the Alton Towers Resort Panto – Jack and the Beanstalk - visit the Festive Courtyard Show featuring Santa and The Sprout Who Saved Christmas, and play Reindeer Games.
While most parents of younger kids opt to stay in the CBeebies Land hotel, there is also Splash Landings Hotel, Woodland Lodges and Alton Towers Hotel to choose from.
Price for a family of 4: From £360 for a family of 4 for a Santa Sleepover with breakfast and an evening meal, including entry to the park, waterpark, crazy golf, and Santa's Grotto.
Getting there: Parking is free at the Resort Hotel, nearest train station: Uttoxeter Station (10 miles)
Dates: Selected dates from 29th November - 23rd December
Pros: Both evening meal and breakfast included as well as other extras including water park, light trail and crazy golf
Cons: Some rides can close in the cold or rainy weather, some parents commented that the food isn't the best quality
Center Parcs Winter Wonderland
Although it's a bit more expensive than other options, a stay at Centre Parcs is ideal for getting larger families together. Unlike other options, they open for the entire Christmas season so you can spend Christmas day there.
Of course, there's plenty to do while you're at Center Parcs at any time of year, from swimming to sports and various restaurants. But at Christmas time there's even more on the itinerary, including a visit to see Santa and his elves in Santa’s Woodland Workshop before the big day, wandering through the free Enchanted Light Garden, Santa’s Woodland Village - a snowy playground with displays and photo opportunities - and you can even order a Christmas tree, lights and decorations pack to turn your lodge into a festive grotto and make it a truly magical family Christmas break.
In terms of accommodation, there's a huge range of options including lodges, apartments and even treehouses for your little one to explore.
Price for a family of 4: From £1449 for a family of 4 for a 3-night festive break between Christmas and New Year on self-catering basis. Includes entry to Santa’s Woodland Village and the Enchanted Light Garden, festive storytime and Santa’s Village Tour.
Getting there: Car parking available at the park.
Dates: Friday 8 November 2024 until Thursday 2 January 2025
Pros: Safe for the whole family, car free setting, self-catering making it great for fussy eaters.
Cons: Expensive
Warwick Castle, Santa Sleepover
Warwick Castle has a magical feel to it all year round, but especially at Christmas time when you can enjoy a Santa Sleepover. On selected winter dates in 2024, you'll find festive flourishes in the Knight’s Village, including themed evening entertainment. In the morning, you'll wake up to the sound of sleigh bells with your very own elf wake-up call and a present for little ones before enjoying a Storytime with Santa. During the winter months, the castle and its grounds are also transformed into a winter wonderland, with colourful lights and seasonal decorations to really get you and your family in the festive spirit.
Price for a family of 4: From £449 for a family of 4 for an overnight Santa Sleepover with two day entry to Warwick Castle with breakfast.
Getting there: Free car parking at the resort. Warwick train station is just 1 mile away.
Dates: November 25, 2022 until December 23, 2022
Pros: Breakfast included as well as wake up to the sound of sleigh bells with your very own elf wake-up call where Santa’s cheerful elves will bring a present for little ones.
Cons: Expensive
Butlin's Christmas Festive Wonderland
We're huge fans of a Butlin's Christmas break here at Mother&Baby. Not only is it a relatively cheap family Christmas break if you're doing Christmas on a budget (something we're all looking for in the current climate), but there is also plenty to keep our tots entertained. And if you're looking for an all-inclusive family Christmas break in the UK, Butlin's offers various meal plans so you can include various meals and drinks to suit your family.
Not only will there be festive themed shows on each day, there'll also be firework displays, festive cinemas, festive pottery painting and lantern making as well as Butlin's usual activities including the swimming! And of course, it wouldn't be a family xmas break with a chance to meet the world’s most famous Redcoat, Santa Claus himself. From a welcome Christmas party to a Christmas movie night, there's plenty to keep little ones (and big ones!) happy on a Christmas family break.
Price for a family of 4: From £185 for a family of 4 for a 3-night stay just before Christmas with plenty of activities and things to do, and a range of food options.
Getting there: Free car parking at the resort.
Dates: Monday 25 November - Monday 23 December 2024
Pros: Affordable, entertainment and festive activities included, waterpark entry included.
Cons: Can get busy around this time of year
Chessington World of Adventures Festive Short Breaks
Chessington World of Adventures is pretty magical for little ones at any time of the year, but when it's decked out for Christmas it's even more fun - from the Christmas Village where Father Christmas awaits, to the Enchanted Hollow where you can discover the Elves toy workshop, Chessington's 'Winter’s Tail' has something to delight all the family. Add in a Christmas pantomime and access to all the rides, and you have one of the most magical Christmas breaks in the UK for families.
Price for a family of 4: From £478 for a family of 4 for a 1-night stay just before Christmas with plenty of activities and 2 day access to the park with selected rides.
Getting there: Free car parking at the resort.
Dates: Selected dates from 23 November - 31 December 2024
Pros: Offers 2 day access to the theme park, Savannah Splash Pool and Christmas village
Cons: Can get busy around this time of year
Christmas at Haven Holiday Parks
Haven Holiday Parks are a great option if you're looking for a cheap family Christmas break. For 2024, they've opened five of the best Haven parks for Christmas, so you can choose from Cala Gran in Blackpool, Primrose Valley in Yorkshire, Seashore in Norfolk, Rockley Park in Dorset or Kent Coast in Kent. You can book a 3, 4 or 7 night break, including over Christmas itself. Your accommodation will have a Christmas tree, and you can enjoy festive entertainment, swimming and activities, and decorations and lights across the park. There's a Christmas Jumper Party, bookable activities such as Festive Make a Bear, Bauble Making, Reindeer Food and Activitots (with a Christmas twist!) and of course, you can meet Santa in his Grotto!
Price for a family of 4: From £99 for a family of 4 for a 4-night midweek stay before Christmas.
Getting there: Directions depend on site, free car parking
Dates: 13 December 2024 - 3 January 2025
Pros: Enjoy Christmas or twixmas away from home in beautiful locations, plenty of festive activities, self-catering to save you money on eating out
Cons: The ovens in the accommodation tend to be smaller than average so may not take a full turkey if you're cooking Christmas lunch
Christmas breaks at Parkdean Resorts
Like Haven, Parkdean Resorts are opening a number of their resorts for Christmas so you can enjoy a festive family break at Cherry Tree, Trecco Bay, Cayton Bay, Ty Mawr, Warmwell, Fallbarrow and White Cross Bay - many of which are featured on Mother&Baby's list of the best Parkdean Resorts. During Christmas, you can look forward to festive food and drink as well as a range of Christmassy activities, from pantomimes to breakfast with Santa, festive crafts to entertainment.
Price for a family of 4: From £429 for a family of 4 for a 5-night midweek stay over Christmas.
Getting there: Directions depend on site, free car parking
Pros: Get away from home with a UK staycation, complete with Christmas festivities and activities
Cons: Only a select number of resorts are open so your choices are limited, many activities are bookable and charged as extra
Family Christmas Days Out
Hogwarts in the Snow
A visit to The Making of Harry Potter at Warner Bros Studio is a must for any Harry Potter fans, especially at Christmas when you can explore the film sets and iconic locations of Hogwarts as they're transformed into a snowy wonderland. From the Great Hall, bedecked in the gold decorations from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, to Diagon Alley with its snowy shop fronts and cobbled stones, this journey through the Warner Bros Studio Tour is an incredible behind-the-scenes look at the famous films. But this is one to book now for 2025/2026. It's sold out for 2024/25 but booking is already open for next year (15 November 2025 – 18 January 2026).
Mother&Baby's Digital Writer, Rebecca visited with her 10-year old son and had a "magical experience." As she says, "Whether you're a Harry Potter fan or not, being able to see how such iconic films were made, walk through the sets and experience what feels like real magic, is incredible. My son and I were honestly blown away by the detail and how much there is to see - allow yourself at least 3 hours - we spent 3.5 hours there but agreed that we need to go back and do it again!"
Price for a family of 4: From £180 for a family of 4
Age suitability: All ages
Getting there: Free car parking and shuttle buses from Watford Junction
Dates: 16 November 2024 – 19 January 2025 and 15 November 2025 – 18 January 2026
Pros: An immersive experience that's sure to delight any Harry Potter fans
Cons: Books up far in advance
National Trust Christmas Events
If you've got a National Trust site near you, the chances are there'll be a Christmas event to pop in the diary. From Christmas lights trails to festive markets and historic houses decked out for a traditional Christmas, you can travel back in time for a beautifully festive family day out. And if you want to turn your trip into a family Christmas weekend break, many of the National Trust sites have cosy cottages or historic holiday homes to book nearby.
Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.