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7 Reasons Why Travellers Love Britain in Winter

Rabbie
Posted on 10 Jan 2020

Winter travels can be just as warming for the soul as a summer getaway, so why are people still hesitant? Maybe the weather, maybe the activities you can choose from, but either way we’re here to show you why travelling in winter can be magical. While we know this might not apply to everyone, we hope after this we’d at least have convinced you to consider a winter break in the future. After all, you can experience the same spot a thousand times, but without seeing it in all the different seasons, can you truly say you have a connection to it? Let’s share our top 7 reasons for a winter escape.

7 Reasons to Choose Winter for your Next Holiday

We’re winter travel advocates through and through. The crisp and cooling air hitting our cheeks, the warmth radiating from the log fires hidden in the corner of a pub, and let's not forget this season begins the countdown to the festive period. If we still need to convince you that winter travel is the way forward, so be it, here are 7 more reasons.

1. It’s easier on the wallet

It’s dull when destinations are too expensive.

It means you’re priced out of opportunities you may never have a chance to experience again. But if you travel during the quiet months, everything is more affordable.

For example, the same room in Edinburgh can cost £315 per night in August, but only £180 in December. And even our tours can be cheaper between October and April.

So, travelling in winter means you spend less money and get more out of it. And you won’t feel as guilty about buying those lavish meals, castle experiences, or irresistible tartan socks that caught your eyes.

To make winter even more appealing this year, we’re offering an autumn and winter promotion of 10% off day tours when you travel between the 1st October and the 17th December 2024.

2. Beautiful empty views

If you want those perfect photos that capture the location, rather than the crowds, then you should visit the British Isles in winter.

But it’s not only the emptier views that’ll make your photos magnificent. Edinburgh’s cobbled lanes glisten with a touch of frost. In winter, the queues to kiss the stone at Blarney Castle are tiny. And the Cotswold’s sleepy villages look peaceful in the crisp air.

3. Less queuing means more exploring

Not all of us are blessed with perfect patience. We get fidgety, bored, and frustrated when we’re waiting for things we’re paying for. And this is especially true when you’re using your precious holiday days.

But in the quiet months, this is less of a problem. There are less people trying to go to the attractions and restaurants. So that one hour you put aside for that 13th-century castle is spent entirely in that 13th-century castle. Not standing in a queue looking at your watch. This reason alone should be a good enough reason why you should travel in winter.

4. Knitwear and raincoats

We’re not into fashion, necessarily... but we do like being prepared.

So, in winter, we find it satisfying when you have clothing that protects you from everything that the seasons throw at you. And it only takes a woolly jumper and a waterproof to explore epic beaches, castle walls, and just about all the places we love in any weather.

And what’s more is if you’re into fashion, you’ll love the heartwarming pictures of you and your friends exploring the wild places in a sleek scarf and bobbled hat.

5. Snug bars

There’s something about sitting by a fire.

The flickering flames are mesmerizing, and the heat feels so, so warm. It’s even more lovely when you’re eating a homely stew or drinking a glass of whisky beside it.

And in the colder months, the local bars in the quaint villages have roaring fires, heartwarming meals, and local liquors. What might have once just been a pub on the side of the road has now turned into a tavern you have escaped into to shelter from the wild British weather. An iconic photo awaits, something to make those back home jealous.

What's more, it’s a setting that makes the perfect ending to a day spent exploring the wild landscapes of Britain.

6. Winter traditions

We’re not going to lie.

Britain receives less light in winter. But over the course of thousands of years, customs and traditions have evolved to brighten up the season in fantastic ways.

You have the huge New Year celebrations of Hogmanay in Edinburgh, the colourful stalls of Bath’s Christmas market, the Cathedral evensongs, and the massive parties on Guy Fawkes Night, St Andrew’s Day, Burns Supper, and Hallow’s Eve.

It’s hard to plan your holidays around these events, but we’re sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you find yourself dancing the night away in one of the winter festivities. If you haven’t done so already, take a look at our article about Scottish winter traditions in preparation to your Scottish getaway.

7. The weather

You may think it’s a little mad, but we quite like the weather in winter.

The snow looks fantastic on the Scottish mountains, while snowball fights are as heartwarming as they are enjoyable. The cloudy days mean you don’t have to wear sun protection or squint your eyes all the time. And the rain creates lovely crisp, fresh, cool air.

But that’s just us. And our love of winter travel is a little mad. We’re travellers who’d always prefer to be out exploring, no matter what.

Beat the Crowds and Join Us on Tour

Hopefully by now you’ll join us in thinking winter is a pretty special time to tour the UK. But we get it if you crave the warmth a trip to Europe or further a field may bring. However, and whenever you choose to travel this year, let our driver-guides be the friendly face to greet you. We can’t wait to see you onboard our mini-coaches very soon.