Where is best for a family Christmas break in the UK?

For a coastal Christmas, choose Retallack Resort or St Ives Bay in Cornwall. Sandy Balls in the New Forest has the Forest of Light, and Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire hosts the Winterfest Spiegeltent. Our guide ranks the best places to spend Christmas in the UK.

Which Away Resorts parks are open for Christmas 2026?

Christmas breaks run at Tattershall Lakes, Sandy Balls, Mill Rythe, Retallack Resort and St Ives Bay from 23 to 31 December 2026. New Year's Eve events run at nine parks, including The Bay Filey, Golden Sands and Piperdam.

What is included in an Away Resorts Christmas break?

Your Christmas break includes your accommodation, the park's included entertainment and its pool or splash area, where available. Winterfest activities, Christmas Day lunch and New Year's Eve dinners are booked and paid for separately.

How much is Christmas Day lunch at Away Resorts?

Christmas Day lunch costs from £79.95 for adults, £39.95 for children under 15 and £4.95 for children under 5. The three-course meal is served at Sandy Balls, Tattershall Lakes, Mill Rythe, Retallack Resort, The Bay Filey and Piperdam.

When is Winterfest 2026?

Winterfest runs from 20 November to 20 December 2026 at Tattershall Lakes, Sandy Balls, Mill Rythe, Retallack Resort and St Ives Bay. Santa experiences, crafts and shows cost extra and can be booked online or in the Away Resorts app.

Can I book a hot tub lodge for Christmas?

Yes. Hot tub lodges are available over Christmas at Sandy Balls, Mill Rythe, Retallack Resort, Tattershall Lakes, St Ives Bay, Bude, Newquay Bay, Swanage Bay View, Whitecliff Bay, The Lakes Rookley, Appletree, Kenwick Park, Barmouth Bay, Clumber Park, Piperdam, The Bay Filey and Woodland Lakes. For bigger groups, exclusive stays include The Knightwood at Sandy Balls, which sleeps eight, and the Retallack Barns. Availability varies by park and date.

Can I bring my dog on a Christmas break?

Yes. Dog-friendly lodges and caravans are available over Christmas at Sandy Balls, Mill Rythe, Retallack Resort, Tattershall Lakes, St Ives Bay, Bude, Newquay Bay, Swanage Bay View, Whitecliff Bay, The Lakes Rookley, Appletree, Kenwick Park, Barmouth Bay, Clumber Park, Piperdam, The Bay Filey and Woodland Lakes. Up to two dogs are allowed per booking. Dogs are welcome in The Lookout Bar and Eatery at Retallack Resort. Availability and restrictions vary by accommodation and park.

Which Away Resorts park is closest to a Christmas market?

Tattershall Lakes is 20 miles from Lincoln, Sandy Balls is 26 miles from Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, and The Bay Filey is 40 miles from York. Our guide lists the 13 best Christmas markets in the UK.

Can I check in on Christmas Day?

Check-in dates over Christmas vary by holiday park. While many Away Resorts parks offer flexible arrival dates between 23 and 31 December, Christmas Day and Boxing Day arrivals aren't available at every park. Check the available dates for your chosen park and accommodation when booking.

Christmas Breaks UK 2026

Swap the sprouts for the sea air this Christmas with Away Resorts. Our 3-night festive breaks start from £200 per break at 20 UK holiday parks, and you can arrive any day from 23rd to 31st December 2026.

View all Christmas Breaks

Dreaming of Christmas entertainment? Pick from five fantastic parks: Tattershall Lakes, Sandy Balls, Mill Rythe, Retallack Resort and St Ives Bay. Snuggle up in a cosy lodge, caravan or exclusive home, and leave the Christmas Day lunch to us at six of our parks. That’s the washing up sorted, too.

Christmas experiences	Discover what’s on	Participating parks
Festive activities	Christmas pottery painting, snow globes, Elf slime factory and Mrs Claus’ kitchen run at all five Winterfest parks.	Sandy Balls, Mill Rythe, Retallack Resort, Tattershall Lakes, St Ives Bay
Meet Santa	Santa’s Breakfast and Santa’s Magical Meeting run at Sandy Balls and Tattershall Lakes. Dear Santa runs at all five parks.	Sandy Balls, Tattershall Lakes
Live shows	See the Winterfest Spiegeltent at Tattershall Lakes, Elves Misbehaving at Sandy Balls and Kids House Party at four parks.	Retallack Resort, Mill Rythe, Sandy Balls, Tattershall Lakes
Christmas Day lunch	Make this Christmas Day truly special and leave the cooking to us. Gather with family and friends for a delicious three-course festive lunch.	Sandy Balls, Mill Rythe, Retallack Resort, Tattershall Lakes, St Ives Bay, The Bay Filey, Piperdam
Hot tub Christmas breaks	Soak in a luxury hot tub under the winter sky this Christmas at Away Resorts.	Bude, Newquay Bay, Swanage Bay View, Whitecliff Bay, The Lakes Rookley, Appletree, Kenwick Park, Barmouth Bay, Clumber Park, Piperdam, The Bay Filey, Woodland Lakes
Dog Friendly Christmas breaks	Bring your four-legged friend this Christmas at Away Resorts.	Sandy Balls, Mill Rythe, Retallack Resort, Tattershall Lakes, St Ives Bay, Bude, Newquay Bay, Swanage Bay View, Whitecliff Bay, The Lakes Rookley, Appletree, Kenwick Park

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Additional Fee*

Festive activties

Fill your stay with seasonal activities and holiday fun.

Selected parks*

Enchanting Entertainment

Enjoy a packed programme of seasonal entertainment throughout your stay.

Selected parks*

Unmissable live shows

Experience spectacular live shows the whole family will love.

Included in holiday

Pools & splashpads

Enjoy a relaxing swim or a make a splash at our holiday parks.

Great deals on park

Food & drink

From tasty £12 meal deals to kids eating for just £1, we’ve got a treat for everyone!

Two girls with long brown hair wearing navy blue coatsare jumping in the air excitedly and laughing as the heavy snowfall lands around them.

Arrive any day

Flexible arrival days

From flexible arrival days to late check-outs, we move at your speed.

Experience Winterfest

Winterfest 2026 is back from 20th November to 20th December at Tattershall Lakes, Sandy Balls, Mill Rythe, Retallack Resort and St Ives Bay. Join in with festive workshops, meet Santa and enjoy family shows, all with a warm welcome for everyone. Our team are trained by SENNIES to support neurodivergent children, so every little elf can enjoy the magic.

Find out more

Select parks*

NEW: Sleigh Team: Elf Recruits

Calling all small folk! Santa needs your help. Join the Sleigh Team and help save Christmas.

Select parks*

NEW: Santa's Magical Meeting

Step into a world of enchantment at Santa's Magical Meeting, where the spirit of Christmas comes alive for small folk of all ages.

Select parks*

Dear Santa

A Magical Preparation for Christmas Eve! Get ready for a magical experience at our Christmas Post Office!

Select parks*

Make a Christmas Plushie

Join us for a festive adventure at our Teddy Bear Workshop, where you can bring your very own Christmas Teddy to life!

Select parks*

Snow Globes

Step into a world of festive enchantment with our Snow Globes activity, where creativity meets Christmas magic!

Select parks*

Festive Tie-Dye

Choose a T-Shirt, Apron or Stockings to twist & shape into something funky and festive-coloured!

Select parks*

Elf Slime Factory

Channel your inner cheeky elf and dive into festive fun at the Elf Slime Factory, where you can create gooey slime with a Christmas twist.

Select parks*

Christmas Pottery Painting

Unleash your creativity this festive season with our Christmas Pottery Painting! Choose from a delightful selection of ceramic gingerbread houses, Christmas trees and more!

Select parks*

Decoration Station

Create beautiful Christmas decorations including Pinecone Reindeers, Twinkling Lights Snowman and more.

Select parks*

Mrs Claus Kitchen

Step into the magic of the season with Mrs. Claus' Kitchen! Mrs. Claus warmly invites you into her cozy kitchen for a festive treat-making adventure.

Select parks*

Breakfast with Santa

An exclusive meet and greet opportunity with Santa Claus and the Away Resorts Sleigh Team elves, alongside a hearty breakfast!

Christmas Day Lunch

Christmas Day lunch is a three-course feast served on 25th December at six Away Resorts parks, so you can put your feet up and leave the cooking to us.Tables must be booked in advance, so reserve your spot early to avoid missing out.

Adults: From £79.95 per person
Children under 15: From £39.95 per person
Under 5s: Just £4.95

Available at Sandy Balls, Tattershall Lakes, Mill Rythe, Retallack, The Bay Filey and Piperdam.

Christmas Day Menu | Kids Christmas Day menu

Here’s a taste of what’s on the menu:

Starters: Choose from delicious festive options like spiced butternut squash and chestnut soup
Mains: Tuck into butter-roasted turkey with pigs in blankets and all the traditional trimmings, or pick another seasonal favourite
Desserts: Finish with sweet treats such as Christmas pudding

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A nighttime photo of a building with hanging blue-white fairy lights above some windows. There's a yellow sign which says, ''Aubery's''

Sandy Balls

Aubrey's

Gather Around the Table This Christmas – Book Now

Tattershall Lakes

Tattershall Park Pub

Plan Your Perfect Christmas Day – Book Now

Mill Rythe

Missing Squirrel

Make Christmas Special at Mill Rythe – Book Now

Tattershall Lakes

Propeller Bar

Secure Your Christmas Day Table – Book Now

Retallack

Lookout Bar

Enjoy a Festive Feast at Retallack – Book Now

The Bay Filey

John Paul Jones

Enjoy Christmas Lunch at The Bay Filey – Book Now

Piperdam

Riga Suite

Make Christmas Special at Piperdam – Book Now

Sandy Balls

Woodside Inn

Reserve Your Christmas Day lunch at Sandy Balls – Book Now

The lounge area in The Knightwood holiday lodge. This lodge has large sofas, a flatscreen TV, and plenty of rustic, woodland décor to enjoy.

The Knightwood at Sandy Balls

Experience Christmas in the beautiful New Forest for up to eight guests with the holiday luxuries you deserve.

Alpine Lakeside Lodge at Tattershall

Boasting a beautiful Scandinavian alpine look, this superb log cabin is perfect for Christmas.

The Esme

The perfect Christmas getaway for a group of friends & couples, the Esme is a touch of beauty.

The Shadow Wood

The Shadow Wood offers a stylish and modern space for families, perfect for a Christmas break.

One of our holiday home barns. The sun is setting behind the spacious barn exterior, which sits on the green grass near the lake. The lights are on inside.

Retallack Barns

The Retallack Barns really are something special with open plan living areas ideal for your Christmas getaway.

The lounge in our Rockstar holiday home. There’s a spacious kitchen, a large TV and sofa, and a theme of red, white, and blue Great British colours.

The Rockstar

Our Rockstar accommodation is retro funky meets hotel room opulence the perfect place to spend your Christmas.

Compare Our Best Christmas Lodges and Exclusive Stays

Exclusive stay	Features
The Knightwood	Spend Christmas in the New Forest in this exclusive lodge at Sandy Balls, with room for up to eight guests. Sleeps: 8 · Bedrooms: 2 · Hot tub: included · Dogs: welcome
Alpine Lakeside Lodge	Cosy up in a Scandinavian-style log cabin with lakeside views at Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire. Sleeps: 4 · Bedrooms: 2 · Hot tub: optional · Dogs: optional
Retallack Barns	Gather the whole crew in these open-plan barns at Retallack Resort in Cornwall, made for big family Christmases. Sleeps: 4-12 · Bedrooms: 2-6 · Hot tub: optional · Dogs: optional
The Esme	The perfect Christmas getaway for friend groups, couples and families. Sleeps: 4 · Bedrooms: 2 · Dogs: welcome Available at: Appletree, Sandy Balls and Tattershall Lakes
The Shadow Wood	A stylish open-plan lodge that’s ideal for family Christmas breaks. Sleeps: 8 · Bedrooms: 2 · Hot tub: optional · Dogs: optional Available at: Mill Rythe, St Ives Bay, Tattershall Lakes and Clumber Park
The Rockstar	Retro-funky meets hotel-room luxury, making it a brilliant spot to spend Christmas. Sleeps: up to 7 · Bedrooms: 2 · Hot tub: guaranteed · Dogs: optional Available at: Tattershall Lakes and Appletree

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Book New Years Eve at Away Resorts

Fancy a New Year’s Eve party without the hosting? Join the fun at nine Away Resorts parks on 31st December 2026. Our New Year breaks run from 30th December to 2nd January, so there’s plenty of time to celebrate and a lie-in to follow.

Find out more