Christmas days out near Milton Keynes and Northampton
Looking for Christmas days out this December? Milton Keynes and Northampton are the perfect base for festive fun in South East England, with plenty of wonderful places nearby to enjoy festive lights , wintery gardens, beautiful scenery, and more. Who says you have to head to London for Christmas spirit?
Waddesdon Manor
Based in the village of Waddesdon, this country house is owned by the National Trust and is well known for its luxury grounds and extravagant house. The gardens – which were designed for Baron Ferdinand’s guests – boast an aviary garden, a water garden and a woodland playground. Come Christmastime, they’re transformed into a winter light trail, accompanied by festive light illuminations on the manor’s facade, a Christmas market, and a food village.
You can also visit the inside of the manor, where you’ll find each room is adorned with stunning Christmas decorations.
Top tip: if you’re a National Trust member, you can get discounted tickets to the house and grounds!
Warwick Castle
Fancy visiting a medieval castle this Christmas? Just over an hour away from Milton Keynes (and even less from Northampton), this impressive castle has so much to offer all year round, and even more during the festive season.
Fun for the whole family, you can explore the castle walls or brave the castle dungeons, with plenty more to do for children, such as the Zog Playland and the Horrible Histories Maze. At Christmas, the grounds of Warwick Castle are decorated for the season, with extra activities in store for visitors. You’ll find an ice skating rink, a light trail, and Christmas food stalls right by the castle’s turrets.
And if this wasn’t enough, enjoy festive afternoon teas and interactive workshops, where children can meet Santa himself…
Wimpole Estate
A National Trust site, dubbed as a “working estate still guided by the seasons”, Wimpole is an ideal place to visit when the weather turns cold and the festive decorations come out. During your visit, you can explore the historic mansion, parkland, gardens and even the working farm.
The Christmas festival offers an illuminated light trail with over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds, plus street food, cafes, and decorations in the manor house itself. There are also plenty of festive activities, including wreath-making workshops using natural materials from the estate, and carol singing in the stables.
For all the Harry Potter fans and wishful wizards, there’s plenty to enjoy in this magical world, especially at Christmas. Get behind the scenes and learn all the secrets of how this famous franchise was filmed, whilst exploring popular sets like the Forbidden Forest, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, and the Hogwarts Express.
At this time of year, you can see Hogwarts and Diagon Alley in the snow, as well as the ‘Great Hall’ adorned with magical Christmas Trees. You’ll feel just like a Hogwarts student attending the Yule Ball…
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are beautiful all year round, but nothing beats how all the villages look at Christmas. Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bourton-on-the-Water (which even has a Christmas shop!) are all about an hour’s drive from our apartments, which makes them ideal for a festive day trip. It’s the perfect location to enjoy a seasonal walk, a classic English pub lunch, or finish your Christmas shopping with the charming local shops and businesses.
There are plenty of fun things to do near Milton Keynes and Northampton this winter, and these are just some of our favourites! If you’re looking for somewhere to stay to enjoy some Christmas days out, you can check our availability here.
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