3 UK Cities, 3 Festive Itineraries
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Head To York Minster
York Minster is one of the most impressive gothic cathedrals in the world. Buy tickets in advance to explore a building that dates back to the 12th century, visit its interactive exhibition, and climb the 275 steps of its tower to enjoy panoramic city views There are numerous events to get involved in over the festive period, from carol services to family-friendly shows. Highlights include a Christmas tree festival (12.45pm, Sun 15th December) and a carols by candlelight service (7.30pm, Fri 20th December).
Visit York’s Chocolate Story
York has a rich chocolate-making history, and York’s Chocolate Story is an interactive museum that takes visitors on a journey from the early days of iconic brands like Rowntree’s and Terry’s to the present day. At Christmas, the experience gets a festive twist with themed workshops where you can create your own Christmas chocolates to take home. Kids can take part in hands-on activities, while adults can try festive favourites like chocolate-dipped orange slices.
Wander Down The Shambles
The Shambles is a medieval shopping street said to have inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. It becomes even more magical at Christmas with fairy lights strung across the cobbled lanes. As well as Harry Potter-themed shops, you’ll find independent boutiques offering festive food, handcrafted jewellery and trinkets.
Pearly Cow/No. 1 York By Guesthouse
Enjoy Lunch At Partisan
Locals rate Partisan, where you can tuck into brunch dishes like French toast or shakshuka, as well as sandwiches, homemade soups and sweet treats like chocolate brownies, cinnamon rolls, financiers and carrot cake.
Shop The Christmas Market
You’ll also want to stop at the Christmas Market (10am-7pm until 22nd December). At this famous market, 75 alpine-inspired wooden chalets sell local crafts, food and festive treats – think mulled wine, boozy hot chocolate and Bavarian-inspired dishes. This year there will also be a selection of traders selling eco-friendly gifts.
Try Afternoon Tea At Bettys
No visit to York is complete without a stop at Bettys, especially during the festive season. Yorkshire’s iconic tearoom is famous for its classic afternoon tea and a wide selection of brews. While the tearoom itself is a beautiful setting, queues can be long at this time of year, so it’s worth booking ahead – or you can go to the shop to pick up beautifully wrapped mince pies, stollen and festive hampers filled with goodies like Christmas pudding and spiced biscuits.
Have Dinner At Pearly Cow
End your festive day in York with a special dinner at Pearly Cow within the No.1 York by GuestHouse hotel. The menu focuses on slow-farmed meats and fresh seafood, all sourced from local suppliers. Seasonal dishes include aged fillet of beef tartare with oyster and ‘beef jam’, roasted scallops with cauliflower and madras, and Yorkshire lamb shoulder. Finish your meal with sticky toffee pudding or crème brûlée.
@PartisanYork
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Spend The Morning At Windsor Castle
Start your day with a visit to the world-famous Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, and of course a favourite residence of the royal family. During the festive season, the castle is decked out in Christmas decorations, with a spectacular 20ft Christmas tree taking centre stage in St George’s Hall. You can explore the state apartments, decorated with festive lights and wreaths, and watch the changing of the guard ceremony for a traditional experience – it’s especially atmospheric during the winter months.
Stop For Lunch At Plate At No.6
After exploring the castle, walk to Plate at No.6, a cosy, family run tapas restaurant on Market Street. Open on Tuesday to Sundays, the team serve Mediterranean-inspired dishes made with seasonal British ingredients. The current menu includes dishes like meatballs with smoky tomato sauce, pan-fried seabass with chorizo, bacon croquettes, falafel salad, patatas bravas and cod with crispy capers. Save room for Spanish flan for dessert.
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Explore Windsor’s Great Park Illuminated
This colourful light trail winds through Windsor Great Park, offering an immersive experience for visitors of all ages. The park is transformed with sparkling light installations, with numerous stops around the forest for mulled wine, hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows. Families or groups can also take a spin on the ferris wheel and carousel before stopping for treats like Christmas tree-shaped waffles dipped in chocolate.
Head To The Greene Oak For Dinner
Finish your day with a hearty meal at The Greene Oak, a cosy country pub just outside Windsor that’s well worth the short drive. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and locally sourced ingredients, it serves elevated pub grub like roast chicken with wild mushroom bordelaise, slow-cooked beef shoulder with mustard mash, and cauliflower steak with confit chestnuts. Dessert could be apple and blackberry crumble, sticky toffee pudding or treacle tart.
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Wander Around The University
Oxford’s world-famous colleges are a must-visit at any time of year, but during the festive season, some of them are decorated with wreaths, twinkling lights and Christmas trees. Our favourites include Christ Church (which inspired the Hogwarts dining room), Magdalen and New College. Make sure to check for open days and hours, as they can vary.
Have Lunch At The Oxford Wine Café
Walk along the river to get to this small neighbourhood wine bar and café. The friendly team will help you choose a bottle or glass from its wine cellar, home to an extensive collection of European bottles from small producers, as well as biodynamic wines. If you’re not drinking, there are plenty of non-alcoholic options. Pair them with a cheese or charcuterie board or something more substantial from the main menu.
Pompette
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Explore The Ashmolean Museum
Next, head to one of Oxford’s most famous cultural spots, the Ashmolean Museum. This world-renowned museum is home to an incredible collection of art and archaeology, from ancient Egyptian artefacts to Renaissance masterpieces. The museum often hosts festive exhibitions and events during the Christmas season, with interactive activities for kids.
Visit Oxford’s Christmas Market
You should also make time to visit Oxford’s Christmas Market, held on Broad Street (10am-6pm until 5th January). Visitors can browse stalls housed in wooden chalets to find local crafts, handmade decorations and artisanal treats. Christmas carollers set the scene every weekend, while kids can enjoy rides on the carousel. There’s also a two-storey alpine lodge bar for warm cocktails, plus food stalls selling hearty Yorkshire pudding wraps, German bratwurst, churros and more.
Book Dinner At Pompette
Round off the day in Oxford with dinner at Pompette, a smart French bistro that’s a favourite among locals. Headed up by a husband-and-wife duo, the restaurant served modern European dishes with North African influences. The festive prix fixe menu is £38 for two courses and includes mains like herb spätzle with wild mushrooms and celeriac, or grilled rabbit and smoked bacon, followed by desserts of chocolate crémeux or poached meringue with crème anglaise.
Continue The Trip…
If time allows, there are plenty of things in the surrounding area to fit into a weekend. For example, Bicester Village is just a 20-minute train ride from Oxford city centre, where you’ll find an extensive selection of outlet stores from brands like Ganni, Anine Bing, Jil Sander, Maje and Saint Laurent, as well as beauty and homeware stores. Blenheim Palace is also a short distance away by car. This year, visitors can look forward to light displays, festive afternoon tea and tours of the palace. It’s also home to its own skating rink, ferris wheel and Christmas market.
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