As Christmas markets spring to life across the nation and festive holiday plans take shape, experts at Go Outdoors have unveiled the UK’s most Christmassy regions. The team conducted a study analysing factors like snow days, average duration of Christmas markets, and the number of cosy pubs.
Based on these findings, they then ranked the most festive areas in the UK. Glasgow’s Christmas market holds the record for the longest duration in the UK, staying open for 58 days.
Meanwhile, Southampton boasts the highest number of cabins per 30 miles. However, the city crowned as the UK’s most festive region offers everything from snug eateries to snowy landscapes, not forgetting traditional pubs like The Clachnaharry Inn serving classic dishes such as fish and chips.
The city also features winter attractions like the Brodie Illuminated light show and seasonal markets selling local handmade gifts and festive treats.
The full list of the best and most festive destinations, along with their rankings, are below
1. Inverness
Country – Scotland
Hiking trails – 37
Google searches for Christmas walks – 80
Restaurants per 1,000 people – 4.23
Bars and pubs per 1,000 people – 0.27
Cabins within 30 miles – 99
Christmas market days – 3
Ice skating rink – Inverness Ice Centre
Ice skating rink out of five – 4.4
Adult ticket price – £11.50
Average annual snow days – 27.09
Christmas adventure score out of 10 – 9.86
2. Glasgow
Country – Scotland
Hiking trails – 44
Google searches for Christmas walks – 340
Restaurants per 1,000 people – 3.66
Bars and pubs per 1,000 people – 0.12
Cabins within 30 miles – 58
Christmas market days – 58
Ice skating rink – Braehead Ice Centre
Ice skating rink out of five – 3.6
Adult ticket price – £12
Average annual snow days – 7.40
Christmas adventure score out of 10 – 9.73
3. Edinburgh
Country – Scotland
Hiking trails – 64
Google searches for Christmas walks – 410
Restaurants per 1,000 people – 3.58
Bars and pubs per 1,000 people – 0.16
Cabins within 30 miles – 52
Christmas market days – 50
Ice skating rink – Murrayfield Ice Rink
Ice skating rink out of five – 4.3
Adult ticket price – £15
Average annual snow days – 7.94
Christmas adventure score out of 10 – 9.68
4. Brighton and Hove
Country – England
Hiking trails – 22
Google searches for Christmas walks – 180
Restaurants per 1,000 people – 4.61
Bars and pubs per 1,000 people – 0.17
Cabins within 30 miles – 30
Christmas market days – 49
Ice skating rink – National Ice Centre
Ice skating rink out of five – 4.4
Adult ticket price – £12
Average annual snow days – 6.46
Christmas adventure score out of 10 – 9.31
5. Nottingham
Country – England
Hiking trails – 22
Google searches for Christmas walks – 180
Restaurants per 1,000 people – 4.61
Bars and pubs per 1,000 people – 0.17
Cabins within 30 miles – 30
Christmas market days – 49
Ice skating rink – National Ice Centre
Ice skating rink out of five – 4.4
Adult ticket price – £12
Average annual snow days – 6.46
Christmas adventure score out of 10 – 9.31
6. Manchester
Country – England
Hiking trails – 21
Google searches for Christmas walks – 510
Restaurants per 1,000 people – 4.24
Bars and pubs per 1,000 people – 0.20
Cabins within 30 miles – 32
Christmas market days – 44
Ice skating rink – Skate Manchester
Ice skating rink out of five – 4.8
Adult ticket price – £17.15
Average annual snow days – 3.90
Christmas adventure score out of 10 – 9.29
7. Dundee
Country – Scotland
Hiking trails – 14
Google searches for Christmas walks – 90
Restaurants per 1,000 people – 2.31
Bars and pubs per 1,000 people – 0.11
Cabins within 30 miles – 54
Christmas market days – 46
Ice skating rink – Dundee Ice Arena
Ice skating rink out of five – 4.5
Adult ticket price – £7.50
Average annual snow days -9.64
Christmas adventure score out of 10 – 9.26
8. Whitby
Country – England
Hiking trails – 30
Google searches for Christmas walks – 0
Restaurants per 1,000 people – 10.56
Bars and pubs per 1,000 people – 1.03
Cabins within 30 miles – 7
Christmas market days – 3
Ice skating rink – Whitby Ice Rink
Ice skating rink out of five – 5
Adult ticket price – £10
Average annual snow days – 9.03
Christmas adventure score out of 10 – 9.19
9. Cambridge
Country – England
Hiking trails – 41
Google searches for Christmas walks – 90
Restaurants per 1,000 people – 2.81
Bars and pubs per 1,000 people – 0.13
Cabins within 30 miles – 45
Christmas market days – 53
Ice skating rink – Cambridge Ice Arena
Ice skating rink out of five – 4.5
Adult ticket price – £12.50
Average annual snow days – 5.43
Christmas adventure score out of 10 – 9.18
10. Sheffield
Country – England
Hiking trails – 18
Google searches for Christmas walks – 340
Restaurants per 1,000 people – 2.54
Bars and pubs per 1,000 people – 0.10
Cabins within 30 miles – 19
Christmas market days – 41
Ice skating rink – Ice Sheffield
Ice skating rink out of five – 4.4
Adult ticket price – £9.95
Average annual snow days -15.75
Christmas adventure score out of 10 – 9.09