10 Twixtmas Ideas from VisitEngland
Twixtmas is the perfect time to relax, after a busy Christmas, and recharge your batteries before the New Year celebrations begin. Here, VisitEngland selects some of the best Twixtmas ideas to keep your festive spirit going well into January.
Wild Winter Safari at West Midland Safari Park
Until 3 February 2013
While we spend winter wrapped up indoors, many of West Midland Safari Park’s wildest residents are merrily roaring and roaming at this time of year. White tigers, cheetahs, elephants and giraffes are just a handful of the creatures you’ll see at West Midland’s Animal Reserves, where you’ll also meet everything from reptiles to creepy crawlies on the Discovery Trail. Best of all, you can keep warm and dry in the comfort of your car. Standard winter admission prices are £11.99 for adults and £9.99 for children.
Twixtmas Chic at The Scarlet, Cornwall
Escape the festive madness and spend a few days soaking up the Scarlet's zen-like vibe and stunning spa. The 'adults only' haven sits in a majestic spot on the cliff-tops of Mawgan Porth, looking right out to sea with soothing views of crashing waves on the shore. The 3 night Twixtmas break includes access to classes, including Pilates, meditation, yoga and even singing! Guests can sit by the fire with a good book from the hotel's library, wrap up warm and enjoy brisk walks on the surrounding coastal paths or simply go down to the beach and take in the magnificent views. Prices start from £605 per person for a 3-night stay arriving on 27 December and departing on 30 December based on 2 people sharing.
A Royal Christmas at Osborne House, Isle of Wight
Until 6 January 2013
One of the Isle of Wight’s top attractions, Osborne House was Queen Victoria’s residence of choice for the Christmas period and it’s not hard to see why. Set in lush surroundings just a stone’s throw from the sea, it’s a colourful and comfortable country seat. Here you’ll find a remarkable collection of taxidermy and butterflies and the miniature Swiss Cottage, full of child-sized furniture. The house’s private beach is now open to the public, and you can even ride in a horse-and-carriage around the grounds. Tickets cost £13 for adults and £7.80 for children.
Take to the Mill this Twixtmas, Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire
Gentle post-Christmas walks are a typically English pursuit, and going with a guide really brings them to life. The Quarry Bank Mill walk in Cheshire takes you along the River Bollin, through the captivating Styal Estate, and on to the estate’s old cotton mill. Here you can look back to the 1830s and discover what life as a mill worker was like. Tickets for this guided walk cost £12.00 for adults and £6.00 for children.
Hit the Slopes at Chill Factore, Manchester
Dreaming of a white Twixtmas? Well here’s the next best thing. Chill Factore is home to the UK’s longest indoor skiing and snowboarding slope - guaranteed to provide a cool day out for the whole family. Enjoy the exhilarating alpine activities just 4 miles from Manchester City Centre. Novice skiers and snowboarders can hone their technique with lessons, while the more confident can take on the 180-metre-long real snow slope on their own. The shopping on Alpine Street is perfect for non-skiers, while the selection of restaurants makes for satisfying après-ski. Day lift passes cost £50 for adults and £45 for children.
Hollywood Glamour at the V&A, London
Until 27 January 2013
Twixtmas is just the time to catch those last few art exhibitions of 2012 before they end. Of these, The V&A's autumn exhibition, 'Hollywood Costume' is perhaps the most sought after. The exhibition explores the central role costume design plays in cinema storytelling. Bringing together over 100 of the most iconic movie costumes from across a century of film-making, this exhibition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the clothes worn by unforgettable and beloved characters such as Dorothy Gale, Indiana Jones, Scarlett O'Hara, Jack Sparrow, Holly Golightly and Darth Vader. Tickets cost £15.50 for adults and £9 for children.
Indulge in Culture at The Nutcracker, Leeds Grand Theatre
Until 30 December
Christmas may have fed you so many walnuts you’ll be glad to never see another. But going to see The Nutcracker, is a well-established Christmas custom, and rightly so. Northern Ballet's The Nutcracker brings to life everyone's favourite festive story. Performed to Tchaikovsky's enduring score, played here live by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia, The Nutcracker awakens the childlike imagination in us all. Tickets cost £10 – £39.50.
Bath on Ice, Bath
Until 6 January 2013
A staple for the festive season, England’s outdoor ice rinks are open well into January. One of England’s UNESCO World Heritage Cities, Bath has something extra to tempt visitors this Twixtmas… A brand new outdoor ice rink. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Georgian Royal Crescent and within walking distance of the city’s Christmas markets, Bath on Ice promises to be a truly magical experience. Lace up your skates and slide on! Tickets cost £7 per person.
A Winter’s Stroll at Burghley, Stamford, Lincolnshire
Take a Twixtmas walk around Burghley, one of England’s best loved and most spectacular houses. Here the sumptuous and romantic parkland, complete with a resident herd of fallow deer, makes for an idyllic setting in which to wend your way over the frosts. Tickets cost £12.50 for adults and £6.30 for children. The Sculpture Garden remains open free of charge from 11am to 4pm daily through until Friday 15 March 2013.
Illuminated England, Oxford Street, London
Until 6 January 2013
Visitors can enjoy some of the most famous Christmas lights in the world for free in the heart of London’s West End. Each year the lights attract thousands to the area over the Christmas, Twixtmas and New Year period. Not to mention that most of the January sales start on Boxing Day. Shopaholics rejoice!
For more festive inspiration visit www.visitengland.com/christmas
Tell us where you're heading for Twixtmas in the comments below or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK
FemaleFirst
Shabana Adam
Tagged in Christmas Travel travel tips Travel Advice