DREAMING of a white Christmas?
With grotto visits selling out fast, it’s time to get your yuletide crackers in a row.
You don’t want to be left with the crumbs from the mince pie tray.
From train rides to cosy cottage stays, we’ve rounded up our pick of festive experiences and staycations to lock in right now.
BLENHEIM PALACE
This grand Oxfordshire country pile puts on a magical sparkling light show.
This year’s highlights include a 10metre ‘butterfly tree’ to mark the start of the light trail, hot air balloons that release bursts of fire and a cheery festive choir.
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The gardens will light up from November 13 to January 3. Tickets cost from £25 per adult, £19 per child and £1 for under twos – book here.
SANTA EXPRESS TRAIN
The Santa Steam Express is a really charming Christmas experience for all ages.
The 90-minute journey on a steam locomotive departs on a loop from London Victoria, with vintage carriages covered in decorations and a snack and activity box for each family and a very cute mock-version of a Lapland newspaper.
These days, it’s really exciting to see an old-fashioned steam train on Britain’s railways – even the jaded London commuters stop to take pictures as it waits to board passengers.
Once everyone is seated, Santa and his cheeky elves make their way through the train, handing out gifts, engaging in conversation and roping guests into games and songs.
What’s particularly lovely about this festive experience is that it’s not hard work on the legs, so there were plenty of grandparents who came along with their families.
Tickets from £45pp for Saturday journeys in December.
POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN
If you haven’t seen the film that inspired this heart-warming night-time railway experience, make sure you watch before you visit.
This spectacularly recreates scenes from the film on a moving train.
Pyjama-clad visitors hand over their golden tickets to board (at stations around the UK).
On board there will be dancing chefs delivering hot chocolate and cookies, story time and visits from Santa and his entourage of elves.
Tickets from £35.95. Click the ‘other locations’ tab to book at londonthepolarexpressride.com.
KEW GARDENS
A highly popular London lights trail so expect tickets to sell like hot cakes.
Details are yet to be revealed but visitors can expect glittering installations and sparkling tunnels that make great photo backdrops.
There will also be a traditional fairground, festive street food and mulled wine and hot chocolate.
Tickets cost from £25.50pp and the experience runs from November 13 to January 3 – book here.
SKATING AT SOMERSET HOUSE
Tickets go on sale this Friday and popular slots will likely be gone by Monday. For good reason, too.
The experience is not only in one of London’s grandest locations, but it is jam-packed with the finest seasonal fun.
A giant Christmas tree stands at the centre, while wooden chalets serving themed street food line the outside of the rink.
There’s an Aperol spritz van plus a cosy clubhouse with live music sponsored by Virgin Atlantic.
It opens on November 11 and runs until January 10, with tickets from £11 – book here.
AWAY STAYS ‘THE HOLIDAY’ COTTAGE, DEVON
This dainty, thatched-roofed cottage is the spitting image of the one in The Holiday although don’t expect Jude Law to come knocking on your door.
Set in rural Hartland, Devon, Philham Water Cottage sleeps up to four and is dog-friendly.
Hunker down in front of the roaring fire and work through the collection of board games.
Seven nights’ self-catering is from £595 (or £1,225 over Christmas). See coolstays.com.
TEATIME AT TYLNEY, HAMPSHIRE
If Christmas for you is all about the sweet treats, you’ll love Tylney Hall Hotel near Hook, where the festive afternoon tea will ensure you’re as stuffed as a turkey.
Finger sandwiches have Crimbo-inspired fillings plus classics.
After the scones, come gingerbread choux buns, mince pies and a mousse reindeer.
The afternoon tea costs from £45pp (Mon-Thurs) and £58pp (Friday-Sat). Bookable from Nov 30.
A pre-Christmas overnight stay costs from £380 for a family of four sharing a Junior Suite and including breakfast – book here.
A CAMP CHRISTMAS
The Caravan and Motorhome Club says sites are already filling up for Christmas.
The three-day Thursford & Sandringham Festive Delight Tour gives travellers access to the Thursford Christmas Spectacular plus tickets to the Sandringham Estate Christmas Craft, Food & Gift Fair.
Included in the tour price is three nights at The Sandringham Estate Club Campsite and entry to Sandringham’s glittering light trail.
Tour is from £399pp departing on November 24 – book here.
Thursford Christmas Spectacular
Known for being the largest Christmas show in Europe, Thursford Christmas Spectacular in Norfolk features a cast of 130 performers backed by a 30 piece live orchestra.
The three-hour show mixes carols, show tunes, comedy and variety acts.
Visitors can also separately book Santa’s Magical Journey, which is an interactive world for visitors to explore and the Enchanted Journey of Light with an illuminated outdoor light trail.
Tickets cost from £46 per person – book here.
Carols at the Royal Albert Hall
Christmas isn’t complete without Christmas carols and could they be even more special when performed at the Royal Albert Hall?
Across six days there are 15 carol performances in the Hall with festive favourites and more modern tunes.
Tickets cost as little as £22 per person and you can book here, but many of the favourable dates and times already have tickets for this price sold out.
You will also have to opt for a more expensive ticket if you wish to have a seat and not stand.
Tulleys Christmas Santa Experience
Tulleys Farm in Surrey is known for its ‘all out’ Halloween and Christmas events and this year there will be an outdoor ice rink, gingerbread decorating, circus performances and of course, a Santa’s Grotto.
Visitors can head on the North Pole Adventure as well, where they can step into Elf Town and meet the townsfolk before carrying out festive tasks.
Several dates already have low availability so you will need to book quick.
Kids tickets cost between £46.95 to £69.95 and adults tickets (age 14+) cost £29.95 to £39.95 – book here.
Chatsworth House at Christmas
Christmas at Chatsworth is an annual festive celebration at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire and this year takes place between November 7 and January 3, 2027.
Inside the house, the theme this year will be The 12 Days of Christmas with sculptures, large installations and a garden light and sound trail.
Admission also includes access to the Farmyard and Adventure Playground, where there will be decorated animal areas and festive kids’ craft sessions.
Adult tickets cost from £36.36 each and children’s tickets cost from £10.90 each – book here.
Train of Lights
What happens when you mix a light trail with a festive train journey? You get a steam train entirely covered in neon Christmas lights.
And that is exactly what the Train of Lights is in Dartmouth, Devon – where you go on a railway journey in the dark, with cosy interiors and the exterior completely covered in lights.
You can also add on a visit to Santa, but this comes at an extra cost.
Tickets cost from £31.50 per adult and £24 per child – book here.