From dazzling light displays and lively artisan markets to sumptuous seasonal stays and friendly reindeer, read on to discover some of our favourite festive coastal breaks this year.
Words Jenny Oldaker
1. Best for fairytale festivities
Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
Step into a world of storytelling at Bamburgh Castle this December, as the famous fortress transforms its state rooms into a wonderland inspired by fairytales and classic stories. The Treasured Tales installation runs until 4 January, presenting a richly styled tropical Christmas paradise complete with immersive sets, atmospheric lighting, soundscapes and a host of surprises along the way – including a special visitor from the North Pole. Entry is included with general castle admission: £19.95 adults, £10 children, under-fives free (bamburghcastle.com).
Complete the experience with a bucket list stay in the castle itself – The Clock Tower sleeps up to five and costs from £1,320 for a four-night break (crabtreeandcrabtree.com).
2. Best for a romantic getaway
Château Rhianfa, Anglesey, Wales
It’s set on the banks of the Menai Strait, but Château Rhianfa wouldn’t look out of place in the heart of France, thanks to its evocative Loire Valley-inspired architecture. It’s the perfect setting for a magical festive stay and its Christmas package is filled with seasonal treats. From a cocktail reception, candlelit dinner and midnight mass at local churches on Christmas Eve to a sumptuous day of food, drink and merriment on 25 December, followed by a leisurely but luxurious Boxing Day itinerary, it adds up to an unforgettable Welsh escape.
The three-night Christmas stay costs from £1,595 per room, based on two sharing (chateaurhianfa.co.uk).
3. Best for historic atmosphere
The George In Rye, East Sussex
The cobbled old streets of Rye set the scene for a fantastically atmospheric winter break, teeming with ancient, cosy pubs, tempting shop window displays and frost-dusted streets of timbered buildings festooned with fairy lights. There are events galore too: Rye Arts and Crafts Fair is held on 6 December, St Mary’s Church hosts a Christmas Tree Festival until 20 December, and Lamb House, the former home of author Henry James, steps back to 1900 for a New England-inspired Christmas from 24 November until 22 December. The George in Rye offers a perfect base for exploring the town – the hotel has special two-night packages from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, including a delicious selection of meals and drinks.
Prices start from £475 per person based on two sharing a Cosy Room (thegeorgeinrye.com).
4. Best for a whole month of festive fun
Holkham Hall, Norfolk
The Holkham Estate has everyone in the family covered this Christmas, with events for all ages – and canine companions too. For starters, from 28 November until 30 December, Holkham Hall by Candlelight sees the grand state rooms decked out with opulent decorations, imaginative details and flickering candlelight – an awe-inspiring way to get into the Christmas spirit. A Family Day on 20 December comes complete with interactive experiences and appearances by Father and Mother Christmas, while a Christmas Market (12-14 December), Canine Carol Service (22 December) and creative workshops enhance the line-up. Book accommodation on the Estate to make the most of its festive happenings.
South Lodge West sleeps two and prices start from £928 for seven nights (holkham.co.uk).
5. Best for Highland hospitality
Ness Walk, Inverness
If you fancy a foodie festive season, Ness Walk has treats to suit all tastes in its wintry programme, with afternoon teas, à la carte fine dining menus and a roster of Yuletide events – including a Christmas choir on 19 and 20 December and wreath-making sessions – all accompanied by carefully curated delicacies. The hotel’s 2025 Christmas Retreat is the ultimate way to experience its warm Scottish hospitality – the three-night stay, from 23-26 December, includes breakfast, champagne on arrival, dinner and entertainment, including panto tickets, a carol service at Inverness Cathedral and entry to the Inverness Castle Experience.
The Christmas Retreat costs £616.50 per person (nesswalk.com).
6. Best for amazing illuminations
Bay of Lights, English Riviera, Devon
Celebrate the season in dazzling style with the Bay of Lights Illumination Trail, which sees Torquay, Paignton and Brixham come alive with light displays during December (illuminationtrail.co.uk). Highlights include the UK’s first-ever steam train of lights, which embarks on a magical journey along the South Devon coast pulling vintage carriages decorated with thousands of lights. Torre Abbey will be transformed by an immersive projection that explores the building’s rich history and heritage and elsewhere, you’ll find lantern parades, carol singing by candlelight and Babbcombe Model Village lit up in tribute to the season.
Make the most of it and bring the whole family – Bayview in Paignton sleeps up to 10 people and offers breaks in December from around £1,142 for three nights (toadhallcottages.co.uk).
7. Best for seasonal pampering
St Michael’s Resort, Cornwall
In need of a fix of coastal calm this Christmas? Head to Falmouth and experience beautiful beach views and a generous helping of rejuvenating festive cheer at St Michael’s Resort. Its 2025 Christmas break includes a Classic King Room, breakfast each day, a three-course Christmas Eve celebration meal, traditional lunch and evening meal on Christmas Day and a three-course Boxing Day dinner. With complimentary Health Club gym and swim included and discounted use of the spa available, this stay is well and truly geared to creating your most relaxing Christmas yet.
The four-night Christmas in Cornwall break starts from £1,085 per person (stmichaelsresort.com).
8. Best for Christmas shopping
Galway, Ireland
From mid-November to early January, Galway Christmas Market takes over the town’s Eyre Square and hosts dozens of traders selling Christmas gifts, artisan foods and more (christmasmarketgalway.com). A big wheel, Santa’s Grotto, German Bierkeller, light displays and theatrical attractions add to the celebratory ambience – and the festive fun doesn’t end there. More gift and food fairs are scheduled around the county throughout December and from 21 November to 23 December, Galway Races hosts the magical Elf Town Galway experience (elftowngalway.ie).
A Christmas stay at the Galway Bay Hotel – including breakfast, dinner and live entertainment each evening – is available between 24-28 December. Prices start from €489 per person for two nights (galwaybayhotel.net).
9. Best for family fun
Gwel an Mor, Cornwall
Set above lovely Portreath Beach, the picturesque resort of Gwel an Mor offers a tempting blend of sea views, seasonal charm and family-focused fun for December. Whether you fancy lazing in a hot tub outside your lodge, booking a festive meal at The Terrace Restaurant, taking a dip in the pool or meeting the resident reindeer at the Wildlife Centre, there’s something to keep Christmas spirits sky-high for everyone in the family.
Many lodges are also dog-friendly, so the family pet is welcome to join in the celebrations too. Prices start from £776 for a four-night break in a two-person lodge from 23-27 December (cove.co.uk/gwelanmor).
10. Best for an invigorating dip
Tenby, Pembrokeshire
Tenby in December is an appealing prospect, with colourful streets sparkling with festive lights and frosty landscapes ripe for winter wandering. But for a true feel of the town at Christmas, its legendary Boxing Day Swim on North Beach is a must. This charity event has been an institution of the Pembrokeshire seaside resort for more than 50 years and provides a joyful spectacle as hundreds of bathers race into the bracing sea, with many in fancy dress (tenbyboxingdayswim.co.uk). The Lookout at Goscar is perfectly placed to enjoy the town and has awe-inspiring views over the harbour and North Beach.
This second-floor apartment sleeps four and a seven-night stay from 20 December costs £1,265 (greatwelshescapes.com).
Discover more things to do by the coast, book some December event into your diary, get gift ideas from our Christmas Gift guide or pick up the latest copy of coast magazine for the latest news and inspiration.
