Christmas spent in the UK means cosy nights in, lively pub evenings out and plenty of traditional markets as towns and cities across the country get in the festive mood.
And while the idea of lying on a sun-drenched beach hundreds of miles away also appeals, a Christmas staycation by the sea can remind you of the best of the British coasts.
Many hotels provide packages that cover a Christmas stay, taking care of all the cooking, cleaning and organising while you relax and enjoy yourself.
Perennial favourites like Cornwall and Norfolk are quieter than ever, with empty beaches and charming towns to see between four-course Christmas dinners and hearty breakfast buffets.
Cities such as Edinburgh contain even more things to do when not in your hotel, or at the other end of the spectrum, head to the shores of Northern Ireland to enjoy coastal tranquility and traditional activities like horse and carriage rides.
Read on for a selection of the best December getaways by the sea.
Newquay, Cornwall
Fistral Beach has carved a reputation as one of the UK’s best surfing destinations
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A visit to Newquay in Cornwall is ideal for combining festive fun with a striking coastal setting. The UK’s most famous surfing destination, Fistral Beach, becomes a haven for walkers in the winter, when crowds return home and locals opt for cosy pubs rather than the wind-battered coast. There are still plenty of winter water sports if you’re daring enough, though you might prefer to try out the hotel spa.
The Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa allows just that, offering 10 per cent off spa packages when you book a Christmas stay. Their adults-only three-night package begins on 24 December, with a four-course dinner and live music, before you’re woken up with a buffet breakfast on the big day. Christmas lunch is served with all the trimmings at 1pm, before a festive buffet to round off the day. Boxing Day starts and ends in the same vein, with the addition of a dip in the Atlantic for those brave enough.
From £1,065 for two people, including three nights’ accommodation, all meals and drinks.
Read more on UK travel:
Edinburgh, Scotland
The Malmaison Edinburgh sits in the centre of Leith
(Getty Images)
The Scottish capital may be more famed for its raucous Hogmanay celebrations, but this ever-atmospheric city is also an excellent place to…
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