Your Yorkshire Christmas Cottage Break is Waiting for You
Yorkshire is a marvellous county for a family holiday, with exciting cities, lovely countryside and beautiful coastline. Wintry landscapes here are also worth seeing, so why not take a Christmas break with a difference and stay in a lovely cottage. During the yuletide period or in the run up to Christmas, your family can enjoy the bright lights or long walks in the Yorkshire Dales or Moors.
Leeds is now a magnet for shopping enthusiasts and it’s a terrific base for seeing the Yorkshire Dales. It’s especially exciting at Christmas, with its lights and its arcade shops full of festive cheer. A popular attraction sets up camp every year in Millennium Square, called the Christkindelmarkt. This traditional German market is one of the largest in England and it’s a feast of German produce, such as stollen, gingerbread, mulled wine and various sausage varieties. Many stalls sell exquisitely made, hand crafted toys and Christmas decorations. Other attractions in the square include an open-air ice rink and a carousel.
York is another favourite Yorkshire town, hosting many summer visitors to its historic attractions. It, too, is particularly attractive during the Christmas period. One of its iconic buildings, York Minster, welcomes families to take part in Christmas-themed activities. Adults and children can get involved with storytelling, festive workshops and other activities at the Minster’s St. Nicholas Children’s Chapel. For a yuletide with a Scandinavian flavour, the city welcomes families to the Sankta Lucia, a carol service and candlelit procession, inspired by traditional Swedish customs.
Many English heritage railways run special trains so that eager children can meet a certain Father Christmas. North Yorkshire Moors Railway plays its part and runs ‘Santa Express Shuttles’ on various dates in December. These depart from stations at Whitby, Pickering and Grosmont. Santa greets his young visitors in his grotto, right on board the train. Tickets must be booked and include refreshments and mince pies and a present for every child.
Many carol services occur throughout Yorkshire and none more delightful than in Whitby on Christmas Eve, on the steps of the United Reformed Church on Flowergate.
Festive shopping and things to do in Yorkshire
Play spot the Santa, find the bargains.
If your thoughts turn more to retail therapy, Hornsea, on the East Yorkshire coast, boasts the very first outlet shopping village to have been opened in the UK. Hornsea Freeport is more popular than ever, offering designer labels, food and live events. During the festive period, Freeport hosts ‘Christmas Capers’, with lots to do for the children.
Grassington, a market town in Wharfedale, may be small, but it sure knows how to celebrate. Its Dickensian Festival in the run up to Christmas gets everyone in the mood. The crowds are entertained by musicians and gift and traditional craft shopping at the many stalls. It’s a terrific party atmosphere, with many of the townsfolk and stallholders dressed up in appropriate Victorian costumes. There is local produce aplenty, so no need for Tiny Tim to cry!
Your Christmas cottage will make your celebrations go with a bang, wherever you are. Some owners will even put up your decorations for you!
