If you’re not a big fan of snowy cold weather and early evening Christmas and the winter period can be a bit of a struggle. For people who love hot weather, beaches and the sun the thought of trekking up a hill for a winter walk doesn’t fill them with glee.
But if winter wonderlands and cold Christmas walks aren’t your thing don’t fret. You can choose to take a Christmas break or even the Christmas holiday in the South West of England.
Known for its warmer temperature and all round milder climate than the rest of the UK, the South West of England is the perfect destination for people looking for a change from your typical winter break.
That isn’t to say there won’t be festivities and Christmas celebrations however. It just means you’ll get to enjoy all Christmas has to offer without the ground being covered in a blanket of snow.
If you’d like to experience a winter holiday with a bit of a difference and the thought of traveling abroad doesn’t appeal to you then you should check out the South West for a fun filled winter holiday for you and the family.
Why the South West of England is a great Christmas holiday destination
The South West of England is normally considered the UK’s go to holiday destination for summer holidays. The weather in the summer months can get very hot and the surfing is second to none in the UK. But that doesn’t mean the area is a bad place to visit for the rest of the year. In fact, the colder months of the year are a great time to visit the South West, here’s why:
It’s quieter in the winter months
Since the South West is a summer hot spot people don’t think to visit when the weather gets cooler. But their loss is your gain as you can enjoy uninterrupted country walks, coastal strolls and lovely pub lunches. The colder weather gives a new hue to the already stunning scenery in the South West and you can explore and enjoy the towns and countryside at your heart’s content.
It’s a bit warmer than the rest of the UK
If winter weather and winter holidays aren’t your thing you can get a bit of respite from the chill in the South West of England. Whereas the rest of the country is likely to be blanketed in snow or suffering from continual rain the South West tends to fare slightly better in the winter months. This can make a trip to Devon and Cornwall a nice change from the snowy North or East.
The South West is great for people who want an adventure
If you’re not a huge fan of all the Christmas stuff but love the outdoors and a good adventure then the South West is the best place to visit for some uninterrupted Christmas walking. There’s plenty of hiking, wild swimming and surfing happening all year round. So if putting up a Christmas tree isn’t your thing, heading down to the South Coast could be the solution you need.
Our top 4 festive towns to enjoy in the South West this Christmas
Whether you’re in the South West to celebrate Christmas or just a winter vacation here are our 4 top towns to visit if you’re looking for some yuletide cheer and activities. The South West is a big place but you’re never too far away from a town or city and these 4 places are spread out all across the region so you’ll never be too far away from some Christmas action.
Torquay
Torquay is on the South Coast of Devon and is considered one of the prettiest seaside towns in the UK. Part of the English Riviera the town becomes even more lovely when they switch on their Christmas lights. The town also hosts an annual winter fest and has a Santa’s grotto set up for the entirety of the Christmas period for the little ones. Find out about all the Christmas happenings in Torquay here.
Newquay
Located on the North coast of Cornwall Newquay is the surfing capital of the UK. But when the winter months come around it also plays host to lots of fun Christmas activities. Newquay town council holds an annual free event “Newquay at Christmas” which is a market with late shopping, music and fin for the whole family. The market happens annually at the end of December.
Plymouth
One of the maritime capitals of the UK, Plymouth has a rich and varied history. It also knows how to do Christmas well. Britain’s ocean city hosts markets, food stalls and Christmas events for everyone to enjoy and it always makes sure to link the goings on back to the sea. You can see a whole itinerary of events in Plymouth here.
Exeter
Our last city on this list is historic Exeter. By far the biggest town in our recommendations, the city hosts an annual cathedral Christmas market along with Christmas trails, late shopping events and it has a whole host of wintery pubs. Find out what’s happening when in Exeter here.
Are you ready for a Christmas break in the South West?
If you’re looking for a Christmas break in the South West of England the cities we’ve mentioned in this article are great places to visit. If you need somewhere to stay, Encore Parcs can help. We provide luxury holiday homes to rent or buy and we have two parks in the South West. One in Devon and the other in Cornwall. So if you want a Christmas break with a difference contact us today to arrange a viewing.
