London has some fantastic things to do at Christmas, but as these festive events show, it's worth leaving the capital once in a while. Browse our Beyond London section for ideas for other day trips and weekends away.
LIGHT TRAILS: Forests, palaces, gardens and castles close to London are holding their own light trail and illumination festivals this winter, including Kew Gardens' sister property, Wakehurst in Sussex, and Port Lympne wildlife park in Kent. This is our pick of winter light trails in south east England — in addition to the light festivals in London.
CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS: Fancy picking your own Christmas tree this year? Whether that means doing the hard work of digging it out from the ground yourself, or simply picking it up, ready-cut from the spot where it grew, get yourself to one of these Christmas tree farms close to London.
ROCHESTER DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL: Rochester has a wealth of Dickensian fare all year round, but it really plays up to the author's local heritage at the annual Victorian Dickensian Christmas fair. Some people get into costume for the event, but it's not mandatory. Along with the many stalls in the streets and special events taking place inside the local shops, street entertainers amuse the crowds, while a candlelit parade and open air carol concert take place in the olde worlde surroundings. 6-7 December (Kent)
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WINCHESTER CHRISTMAS MARKET: London has an abundance of its own Christmas markets, but if you want to escape the capital for your festive retail therapy, we suggest hopping on a train to Winchester. The Christmas market is set in the grounds of the Cathedral (close to the recently unveiled Jane Austen statue), making for a beautiful backdrop, with all manner of gifts, decorations, food and drink sold from the traditional wooden chalets. It gets busy, so we suggest going on a weekday if you don't want to be shuffling through the crowds elbow to elbow. Read our guide to other things to see and do in Winchester while you're there. Until 22 December (Hampshire)
CHRISTMAS AT AUDLEY END: The Audley End Miniature Railway goes all out for Christmas, with a ride on the Christmas Express, overseen by the Nutcracker Station Master, to visit Santa's workshop. Meet elves and Mother Christmas — and Santa himself might even come to see you on the train. Until 24 December (Essex)
TULLEY'S CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE: After going all out for Halloween, Tulley's Farm has a complete transformation for Christmas with loads of activities including ice skating, gingerbread decorating, a sleigh ride, an elf hunt and storytime with Father Christmas. Exhausted just thinking about it. Until 24 December (West Sussex)
RAMSGATE LUMIERE: We've long been fans of Ramsgate's Harbour Illuminations, which sees local boat owners light up their vessels for Christmas. This year, organisers have once again branched out with a whole Ramsgate Lumiere Festival consisting of several events including a light trail through the town, a Christmas tree festival, lantern-making workshops and a parade on New Year's Eve. Until 3 January (Kent)
FAIRY TRAIL: Painshill Park on the London-Surrey border has Fairy Doors Trail — ideal if you want to get the family outdoors and away from the festive madness for a while. Pick up a trail map at the Visitor Centre and hunt out the enchanting miniature doors dotted around the park. Until 11 January (Surrey)
READING WINTER WONDERLAND: Described as a 'smaller version of Winter Wonderland in London', Reading Winter Wonderland offers fairground rides, a covered ice rink, Santa's grotto, refreshment stalls and the like. It's a good excuse to ride the Elizabeth line too. Until 4 January (Berkshire)
MIFFY: If you're heading further afield to Norfolk over your Christmas break, swing by Great Yarmouth’s Time and Tide Museum to view its current exhibition celebrating the 70th anniversary of fictional rabbit Miffy. View 50 screen prints, drawings, manuscripts and paintings, alongside stop-motion models from the TV series Miffy and Friends, and step into Miffy's world with life-sized sets from favourite stories, including Miffy goes to stay, Miffy in the tent and Miffy at school. Until 1 March (Norfolk)
