You’ve done with Christmas and you’re waiting for New Year to come along so how do you fill those few days with something fun? Take on Enjoy England’s Twixtmas suggestions, that’s how. The national tourist board has put together a list of things to do, from long walks to safari parks. Here are the best ones:
Wild Winter Safari at West Midland Safari Park
Stay in from the cold in your car for a drive around this safari park which includes white tigers, cheetahs, elephants and giraffes.
Until February 3. Admission is £11.99 for adults and £9.99 for children. See wmsp.co.uk
Sexy at The Scarlet, Cornwall
Spend a few days at the fabulously sexy adults-only Scarlet Hotel (above) at Magan Porth in Cornwall. A three-night Twixtmas break includes access to classes, including Pilates, meditation, yoga and even singing!
Prices are from £605 per person for a three-night stay arriving December 27. See scarlethotel.co.uk
A Wight Twixtmas, Osborne House, Isle of Wight
Osborne House was Queen Victoria’s residence of choice for the Christmas. Set in lush surroundings, there’s a remarkable collection of taxidermy and butterflies and a miniature Swiss Cottage, full of child-sized furniture. Until January 6. Admission is £13 for adults and £7.80 for children. See english-heritage.org.uk
Grind it out at the Quarry, Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire
Take a gentle stroll on The Quarry Bank Mill walk in Cheshire along the River Bollin, through the captivating Styal Estate, and on to the estate’s old cotton mill.
Admission is £12 for adults and £6 for children. See nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank-mill
Slope off for Twixtmas at Chill Factore, Manchester
Even if you can’t get to the Alps this winter, you can still ski thanks to the UK’s longest indoor skiing and snowboarding slope. Novice skiers and snowboarders can hone their technique with lessons, while the more confident can take on the 180m long snow slope on their own.
Day lift passes cost £50 for adults and £45 for children. See chillfactore.com
Scene from the movies at the V&A, London
The Hollywood Costume exhibition at London’s V&A Museum is about to end, so catch the 100 or so costumes from famous films while you can.
Until January 27. Admission is £15.50 for adults and £9 for children. See vam.ac.uk
Go nuts at Leeds Grand Theatre
Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker is a great cultures Christmas tradition and this version by the Northern Ballet is getting rave reviews.
Until December 30. Tickets from £10-£39.50. See leedsgrandtheatre.com
Get your skates on in Bath
Bath has a new ice rink with the Georgian Royal Crescent as a backdrop and within walking distance of the city’s Christmas markets.
Until January 6. Tickets are £7 per person. See bathonice.com
Walk off your lunch in Stamford, Lincolnshire
Stroll around one England’s best loved houses, Burghley in Lincolnshire and you might just see the fallow deer in the surrounding parkland.
Admission is £12.50 for adults and £6.30 for children. See burghley.co.uk
Sale into Oxford Street
Bag a bargain in the sales that start on Boxing Day and see the fabulous Christmas lights at the same time .
Until January 6.
For more festive inspiration visit www.visitengland.com/christmas
