Staying at Exeter over Christmas? Not sure what’s out there to enjoy? We’re here to help!

Winter in the UK can be really cool (No pun intended)! Especially during Christmas, when everywhere you go, its festive and beautiful. There is music in the air, people singing carols, lovely lights blinking merrily, people all wrapped up warm and shopping at the Christmas markets and the gorgeous Christmas trees with their amazing decorations! You’ve probably already experienced this on the campuses and in town.

But its not just Exeter. All over the UK, you have marvelous celebrations going on! Here are my top 5 picks for Winter Events –

5. Bath Christmas Market

Shop till your drop at the Bath Christmas Market, set in historic Bath! Buy toys, Christmas decorations, hand-made jewelry, local products and more at the beautiful markets. Sip mulled wine as you browse the more than 200 stalls present and enjoy all the lovely decorations! And there’s a lot of tasty food to try and delight in! Again, walking into the market is free!!

The Longleat Festival of Lights. Photo credits – Longleat website.

4. Longleat Christmas Festival of Light

For an enchantingly unique time, visit Longleat Christmas Festival of Light! Located near Bath, in Warminster, this amazing festival features lots of characters from tales we all know, all lit up as lantern displays. Meet Cinderella, Snow White, Thumbelina and other literary characters and the scenes they most dazzle in! Oh and did I mention there’s Santa train? It takes you to meet Santa and his elves in their little woodsy home. Its on till January 2nd and costs around 30 pounds and includes a Safari drive, Christmas tree show and a visit to Longleat House, a historic house where you can dress in your English best!

 

3. Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park

The Winter Wonderland at Hyde park. Photo credits – visitlondon.com

 

 

Get lost in the mesmerizing Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London. There’s fun rides, ice skating, Christmas markets, loads of food stalls, ice sculptures, a giant wheel and even live shows! It stays open from 10 am to 10 pm. Can’t get any better, right? Wrong! The entry to this event is free! Yes! Enjoy a festive day out here well am to your budget! Don’t forget to pick up some interesting souvenirs at the  Angels Christmas Market…

 

2. Visit Bygones

If you don’t want to travel too far, this event is perfect for you. Bygones is a little house in Torquay with Victoria recreations and costs £8 for entry when you’re a student. Till 31st December, you can enjoy a Victorian Christmas here, complete with a 12 ft tree and a festive hunt! You can also have a simply scrumptious breakfast or lunch with Santa at his little grotto for 9.50!  Or you can opt for a magnificent High Tea there, for 14.50 for 2 people. And here is the punch…..their fruit scones have lots of lovely clotted cream!

1. Enjoying everything Exeter has to offer

Exeter Christmas Market at Cathedral Green

The events in Exeter are enough to keep our minds (and tummies!) occupied. Three-course meals in Reed Hall, Dick Whittington at Northcote Theatre, shopping at Princesshay, the Christmas markets at Cathedral Green, the Christmas markets on Castle Street, Exeter Corn Exchange – Cinderella pantomime…The list goes on. Don’t forget, you can get a brilliant Christmas dinner at the University of Exeter for £15!

This is the tip of the iceberg. There is always something happening in each part of the UK. Grab this chance to explore how different places celebrate this festive season and join them! Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a jolly new year! Have an extraordinary holiday!