Best Things To Do This Winter In The UK

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By Scarlett Welch • Editor, DesignMyNight Scarlett has covered the UK's best restaurants, bars and events for DesignMyNight since 2023. She holds an MA in Media & Journalism, with bylines in The Crack magazine and South London News, among others. Last updated on 4th November 2026

Just because the temperatures are getting chilly and the days a little shorter, that doesn't mean we shouldn't still be going out and living our best lives. So if you're looking for somewhere to visit during the jacket season? We've got the lowdown right here. From immersive cocktail experiences and bottomless brunches to sushi classes and adult-sized ball pits, here are the best things to do in the UK this winter.




London: Silent Disco Christmas Special

@ The Silent Disco Boat on Saturday 19th December 2026

Escape the winter weather on the warm deck of the Dutch Master for the Silent Sounds Christmas Special Thames cruise. As you make your way past London's iconic landmarks, you can drink, dance and belt out festive hits.

Round up some friends, grab the guys from the office or hop aboard solo for a silent disco like no other - all from just £28.60 a ticket.

London: Après Bar London Bridge Rooftop

A top choice of wintery things to do is a trip to London Bridge Rooftop, where close-up views of the Shard are now combined with an Après Bar pop-up. Think ski lift-style seating in Aperol orange colours, full heated and covered pergolas decorated with snowy firs and lights, and even vintage ski memorabilia dotted throughout the space.

Expect Après brunches, free-flowing mulled wine teapots, seasonal cocktails and more as well.

Somerset: Thatchers Cider Tour

@ Thatchers Cider on Various dates from Wednesday 4th November 2026

Located in stunning Somerset, Thatchers' Cider Tours takes you through one of the best things to do this winter in the UK for adults. Be guided around Myrtle Farm for a fascinating experience seeing where the magic happens. The best part? You'll of course get to try a few of the bevvies yourself.

Stoke: Factory Floor

The QUARTER at Potbank has unleashed a lineup of lively events set inside its new industrial event space, the Factory Floor.

Hosting everything from seasonal parties to mark Christmas and New Year's Eve to craft workshops, throwback DJ nights, tarot card readings and psychic sessions fuelled by prosecco, you're sure to find something you fancy. And this winter, they're even hosting families for a buffet breakfast featuring Anna and Elsa from Frozen. 

Birmingham: The Toymakers' Grotto

@ Merry Hill on Various dates from Friday 20th November 2026

This festive season at The Toymakers' Grotto at Merry Hill, kids aren't just visiting Santa - they're putting on their working aprons and joining his production line.

The 35-minute experience centres on an interactive toy-making workshop where young visitors complete an essential North Pole task. The reward for their hard work? A private family session with Santa, plenty of photo ops, and a gift to take home.

Buckinghamshire: Festive Wreath Workshop - The Chequers Marlow

@ The Chequers on Tue, 24th Nov 2026 @ 19:00 - 21:00

The Chequers in Buckinghamshire is holding a Festive Wreath Workshop for crafty Christmas-lovers who want to get hands-on with their decorations this season. Work from an array of materials to create your personalised wreath that will make the perfect finishing touch to your home this winter. 

Your £64.80 ticket will also include a selection of speciality cocktails served alongside the workshop to make things even more fun.

Lancashire: Ormskirk Food & Drink Market

The Ormskirk Food & Drink Market has reimagined the town's historic hall as a stylish and sophisticated place to eat, meet and play. This December, it's giving you even more reasons to stop by.

You can try your hand at everything from wreath crafting and chocolate making to bauble painting and Christmas quizzes. Whatever brings you down here, craft beer, showstopping cocktails and six local traders serving up Chinese small plates, pizzas and plenty more will see that your fun times are well fuelled.

Newcastle: The WonderBar

Really lean into the jacket season over at The WonderBar, where scrumptious grub and warming drinks reign supreme. But they'll also be keeping you entertained with a top-notch roster of events, from drag-doused bingo and live music to quiz nights.

London: BucketRace Scavenger Hunt Easter Hunt

@ Golden Square on Saturday 27th March 2027

Round up your best finders and seekers for the BucketRace Scavenger Hunt Easter Hunt. As you make your way around London's landmarks, you'll search for all kinds of items in a bid to bag bonus points and prizes.

Along the way, there's side quests and all kinds of challenges to take on. Grab your smartphone, pop on your comfiest shoes and get involved from just £16.50.

UK-Wide: The Brunch Club

Taking its wild events to cities all across the UK, The Brunch Club is making sure your weekends are never boring this winter. Whether you're in Brighton or Newcastle, Cardiff or Portsmouth, these guys will offer you a themed bash that'll blow your socks off.

Glasgow: ARTA

Nestled in Glasgow's Merchant City, ARTA is a Mediterranean hubbub of fantastic events that you need to add to your UK winter itinerary. Not only can you catch live tribute show of The Greatest Showman and ABBA nights, but also comedy drag shows that'll be a hoot and a half.

UK-Wide: I'm Puzzled

Wherever you are in the country, I'm Puzzled are bringing you fun outdoor experiences to get stuck into. From Bolton to Birmingham or Plymouth, these Murder Mystery Experiences give you a chance to explore your city while solving a digital murder case.

Working in teams of two to six, you'll crack codes, gather clues and interrogate virtual suspects. This is all guided by their app, and tickets start from just £19.99 for the whole group.

UK-Wide: Best Places For Ice Skating In The UK

As the temperature drops, there's no better time to get your skates on. From pop-up rinks to winter wonderlands that are open all year round, there's plenty of places to hit the ice right across the UK. 

The Ice Cube in Leeds, Battersea Power Station's Glide, Manchester's Courts Club and many more are ready and waiting for your best pirouettes and snow ploughs. There's more than skating on offer too. We're talking alpine chalets, festive markets, igloos and plenty more besides. 

Santa Skate

@ BrewDog DogTap on Sun, 6th Dec 2026 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)

This December, BrewDog DogTap Aberdeen is bringing festive fun to the city with Santa Skate, a themed roller-skating event.

There are sessions for children, families and adults throughout the day, with each skating session running for 90 minutes. Some of these even feature appearances from Santa and The Grinch, perfect for a wholesome, seasonal day out.

Sussex: Realms VR

Strap on your state-of-the-art VR headset and enter an alternate universe where escape rooms, games and puzzles exist in an immersive virtual world. 

Realms VR is giving you and your family something unique to do this winter, with kids from 7+ welcome to experience all that this high-tech venue has to offer. 

UK-Wide: Best Brewery And Distillery Tours

To warm your cockles with all things hops, malt and barley, it can only be the UK's finest brewery and distillery tours. From gin classes for getting your fix of all things juniper to Somerset cider tours and classic ale trails or insider looks at craft beer microbreweries, there's a little something for everyone.

Salisbury: Winter Wellness At The Great Bustard

January doesn't have to be all resolutions and restrictions. The Great Bustard, a cosy countryside pub with rooms, is offering a refreshing antidote with its new Nourish & Restore experience. Think of it as a winter reset for body and mind: slow down, breathe in crisp country air, and let the season's best local produce work its magic.

The package includes an indulgent dinner, a restful overnight stay, a hearty breakfast, and a bespoke relaxing treatment, all designed to revive and reconnect. Head Chef Jordan Taylor leads the culinary journey, serving ingredient-led winter dishes that are as soulful as they are seasonal, from comforting slow-cooked favourites to tempting vegetable creations and indulgent desserts.