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EVER wanted to step into your TV screen when watching a Christmas movie? Well, one village in the UK feels just like doing that.

Located in the Lake District National Park, the quaint and charming village of Hawkshead is full of old cottages and has a charming community feel.

Jerry Rebbeck, a local expert at Wheelwrights Holiday Cottages, said: “It’s like something out of a Hallmark Christmas movie.”

This small village becomes the ultimate festive spot thanks to its Christmas fair, which takes place between December 6 and 7.

Jerry said: “The fair takes place across one weekend every year, taking over the centre of the village with stalls, full of local produce, food and drink.

“This tiny village of around 500 people comes alive, with street performers, carol singing and even a lantern parade.

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“It’s a fabulous thing to visit and be a part of.”

But it isn’t just the Christmas fair that is worth heading to in the village.

Hawkshead is also home to a number of businesses with vintage shop fronts, which then in the lead up to Christmas create festive window displays.

Jerry shared: “Add that to the cobbled streets, and the village that look like they’re straight out of a Christmas fairytale.”

For those with a sweet tooth, head to the Chocolate Factory Hawkshead – which is a shop and cafe that hosts Christmas chocolate making workshops.

“It’s a great place to source stocking fillers, and makes for a great rainy day festive activity for families,” said Jerry.

The village also features a pretty church called St. Michael’s and All Angels.

It was built in around 1300 on the site of a Norse Chapel and what visitors see today mostly dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries.

Jerry said: “The view of the village from the 12th century churchyard is beautiful, with an easy walk back down to get a hot chocolate from quaint cafes such as The Minstrels Gallery Tea Room, or a glass of mulled wine in pubs such as The Red Lion Inn.”

Just a seven minute drive away or a 55 minute walk, visitors can also explore Hill Top Beatrix Potter House, which is a National Trust property.

The house is believed to be the place that inspired a lot of Beatrix Potter’s stories, and it has a cottage-garden, small cafe and shop and a second hand book-nook.

It costs £18.70 per person to visit, but will be closed from November 17 for the winter season.

Visitors can choose to stay in Hawkshead or in the surrounding areas.

Jerry shared: “In the surrounding area, only a mile away you can find holiday cottages in Outgate, as well as Ambleside, around five miles away.”

The small village also just 22 minutes from Lake Windermere, which is where the closest train station can be found and it is just a 30 minute drive from Grasmere.

If you also want to tie in a nearby city, then Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds are all between one hour and 55 minutes and two hours and 22 minutes away.

For a slightly smaller city, head to Lancaster, which is just an hour away.

There are a number of quaint villages that are pretty to visit around the festive period.

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For example, you could also head to another village that was made famous by three Hollywood movies is perfect for feeling Christmassy.

Plus, the UK’s ‘most beautiful town’ set to star in huge new Christmas movie with Hollywood stars.

While the UK has many iconic attractions from the London Eye to Edinburgh Castle, the one that comes out on top with the most five-star reviews on TripAdvisor is one you’ve likely never heard of

The UK has a wealth of places to visit, and if you’re planning a staycation, you certainly won’t be short of ideas. When it comes to visiting a new place, many of us use TripAdvisor to look at reviews and work out what the top attractions are locally.

Now, research from Iglu Cruises has used TripAdvisor data to determine the ultimate day out across 108 countries. Using this information, the cruise line identified which attractions had the highest number of five-star reviews, and a surprising winner emerged at the top.

With 98.1% of reviews giving it five stars, the top spot went to Ascent Aviation, based in the west central lowlands of Scotland. If you know someone interested in planes, this could be the ultimate day out for them, as it hosts a flight simulator and pilot training centre. Visitors can experience flying to over 26,000 airports on a 220-degree wrap-around, which makes you feel like you’re right in the cockpit.

Both children and adults can fly the simulator, although those under 14 will need an adult with them and may require assistance with some of the controls.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said: “I bought this experience for myself and a friend who loves all things aircraft and our experience could not have been better. Our pilot, Chris, was excellent and made us feel instantly comfortable and answered all our (many) questions patiently. A fascinating experience that was really good fun!”

Another commented: “Booked as a present for my son’s 12th birthday, he had an amazing time. The Pilot provided the tuition, treated him as an adult, and provided excellent instruction and patiently answered all his questions. Highly recommend for all flying enthusiasts out there.”

And in a double victory for Scotland, number two on the list is Glenkinchie Distillery in East Lothian. 91.1% of its reviews gave a glowing five stars to the iconic distillery, which is renowned for producing the Edinburgh Malt.

Whiskey fans can tour the distillery and learn how their single malt is made, before visiting the bar for a tasting, and picking up a bottle to take home with them. One visitor said: “Willie gave us the tour and did an amazing job. He told everything with passion, humor and involved everybody in the tour. It’s the best whisky experience near Edinburgh.”

In third place, the Victoria Tunnel in Tyne and Wear boasts 90.5% five-star reviews. This historic underground wagonway was built in the 1840s and originally transported coal, before being used in World War II as an air raid shelter. Guests can take a private tour of the tunnel and learn about its fascinating history and what it was like for the people sheltering there.

Wales gets its first mention in fourth place for the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Torfaen, for which 89.8% of reviews were five-star. This one has an experience that’s best avoided by the claustrophobic; you can go 300 feet underground on a guided tour which is led by a miner. Deep underground, you’ll see the original mine workings and machinery from its days as a working mine.

If you prefer to stay in daylight, there are also surface tours, which take you around various colliery buildings and allow you to learn about the rich history of the mine.

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