I don’t know about you guys but I love Christmas. I always have and always will. I’m a 27 year old guy that has an advent calendar, starts on the mince pies in November and listens to Heart Xmas Radio. There, I said it. One thing I really love about Christmas is getting away for a little festive break somewhere. Whether you’re taking a few days out or just making the most of the weekend and stopping off overnight you really can’t beat it.

I’ve picked out 4 places I love to visit over the festive period from the busy and bustling to the slightly more laid back, there’s something for everyone!

1. London

OK, so I thought I’d get the most obvious out of the way first. Seriously though as cliche as it might be, it’s for good reason. London has so much to offer throughout the Christmas period. Although pretty hectic, Oxford Street is gorgeous this time of year as it’s lined with festive lights and offers some great shopping if you need to pick up gifts. Carnaby Street has one of the most distinctive styles of lighting and is also well worth a visit. Thinking of visiting a Christmas market? Why not pop over to Hyde Park and visit Winter Wonderland, an epic attraction complete with the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink.

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2. Newquay

I’ve always loved the thought of a cosy seaside Christmas getaway and Newquay is one of the best places to do that in my opinion. Imagine yourself and your loved ones in a cosy cottage, fire on, cocktails being made and the sound of the waves in the background. Perfect. If you fancy braving the cold, you can take a walk along Fistral beach before settling down for the evening and if you’re feeling really hardcore you could stop for a spot of winter surf.

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3. Birmingham Market

If you love Christmas markets, you can’t go far wrong with Birmingham’s offering. It’s actually the largest Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria and spans the entire length of New Street and Victoria Square. There are a number of craft stalls there selling their products, along with tons of amazing food venues and plenty of bars. The great thing about Birmingham market is you can invest in your stein at one end of the market and refill it as you move from section to section.

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4. York

York is absolutely stunning at any time of the year but around Christmas this traditional, gothic city feels even cosier. There’s a Christmas market which features some impressive ice sculptures each year, craft fairs and plenty of tours to take part in. Even if there were no special events, just walking the cobbled streets and looking at the different building structures is enough to capture the heart and imagination of most people.

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There we have it guys, 4 places to stick on your weekend away list over the next few weeks. Even if you’re not as much of a Christmas lover as I am, I can bet that if you take a visit to one of these places you’ll be singing Feliz Navidad in no time!