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Winter events in Britain

Immerse yourself in Britain’s centuries-old traditions, like the Lake District’s Winter Droving festival and the Olney Pancake Race (yes, you read that right). Cheer on your favourite team at the Six Nations Rugby, or get lost in the stars at the Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival.

Indoor activities in Britain

We've got plenty to keep you busy this winter, come rain or shine. Learn a new skill or get your heart pumping with these hands-on indoors activities in Britain, from crazy golf to chocolate making.
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From pros to absolute beginners, there's room for everyone on the slopes at Chill Factore.

Enjoy a snow session at Chill Factore

Photo by: Chill Factore

Location: Manchester, England

Two men skiing and snowboarding on an indoor snowslope at Chill Factore in Manchester
Chill Factore

A caving experience like no other! You can bounce, leap and jump through this extraordinary subterranean playground.

Explore Bounce Below, Zip World Slate Caverns

Photo by: Crown copyright (2017) Visit Wales

People in helmets and red jumpsuits at netting trampolines
Bounce Below, Zip World Slate Caverns

Come for the golf, stay for the party – a riotous mash-up of crazy golf, drinks and music.

Tee off at Junkyard Golf Club

Photo by: Junkyard Golf Oxford

Two people posing with golf clubs at Junkyard Golf in Oxford
Junkyard Golf Club

Part whisky distillery, part heritage museum – Ad Gefrin offers a fascinating taste of Northumberland life.

Discover the spirit of Northumberland at Ad Gefrin

Photo by: VisitBritain/Pinzutu

A tasting session at Ad Gefrin Whisky Distillery
Ad Gefrin

Welcome to the ultimate obstacle course, where you’ll need to climb, balance, swing and jump to the finish line.

Tackle Ninja Warrior Edinburgh

Photo by: Alamy Stock Photo

Location: Edinburgh

Ninja Warrior Edinburgh
Ninja Warrior Edinburgh

Get a hold for bouldering at this indoor climbing experience. Navigate your way up dedicated climbing routes as you get a thrill for this exciting sport.

Visit LancasterWall Climbing

Photo by: Lancaster Wall

People climbing an indoor bouldering wall in Lancashire
LancasterWall Climbing Experience

A thrill seeker’s dream, enter this tropical paradise with more than 18 waterslides and attractions for all the family.

Hours of fun at Sandcastle Waterpark

Photo by: Sandcastle Waterpark

Location: Blackpool, England

People riding slides at an indoor water park.
Sandcastle Waterpark

With bowling, American pool, beer pong and more, this adults-only playground is full of competitive fun.

Visit Roxy Ball Room

Photo by: The Roxy Ballroom

A row of Crazy Pool tables in Roxy Ballroom in Birmingham, a mash-up of crazy golf and pool
Roxy Ball Room

Create one-of-a-kind souvenirs at this sociable ceramics studio, with classes and workshops galore.

Get arty at Cardiff Pottery Workshops

Photo by: 10'000 Hours / Digital Vision / Getty Images

Location: Cambridge

Woman making pottery, Potter's hands making bowl on pottery wheel
Cardiff Pottery Workshops

See expert chocolatiers at work, and have a go at creating your own cocoa masterpieces too!

Discover York's Chocolate Story

Photo by: VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Person decorating dark chocolate with white chocolate piping
York's Chocolate Story

Slip into a world free of distractions, where not even light, sound or gravity can interrupt your me-time.

Plan your visit to Float Planet

Photo by: Float Planet Liverpool

Location: Liverpool

A woman in a flotation tank
Float Planet

A throw of the dice can win it all at this board gaming cafe. There are over 350 games to choose from – who will reign supreme?

Challenge your friends at Board

Photo by: Exeter City Council

A family playing a board game while eating food at Board Café in Exeter
Board – board games cafe

Get crafting with a sewing and craft class at Made and Making in the South Downs Heritage and Garden Centre, near Brighton.

Get crafting at Made and Making

Photo by: Alamy

Location: South Downs

Made and Making
Made and Making

Try paintballing, go-karting and escape games, and make a splash in bumper boats and inflatable zorbs.

Visit Heatherton World of Activities

Photo by: Visit Pembrokeshire

Location: Peak District

Heatherton World of Activities
Heatherton World of Activities

Filled with original props, sets and costumes from the Harry Potter films, this is a must-visit for all fans.

Book the Harry Potter Studio Tour

Photo by: Warner Bros. Studio Tours, The Making of Harry Potter / Marc Sethi

Hagrids Hut, Warner Bros Studio Tours, Harry Potter World
Warner Bros. Studio Tour - Harry Potter

Take a spin on an Olympic-sized ice rink, at the home of the Nottingham Panthers ice hockey team.

Discover the National Ice Centre

Photo by: National Ice Centre, Nottingham

Location: Northumberland

 National Ice Centre, Nottingham
National Ice Centre

With shows for younger audiences and adults alike, enjoy a puppet show or get the kids involved in puppet making.

Pick up a puppet at Norwich Puppet Theatre

Photo by: Andi Sapey

Location: Norwich, England

A performer on stage at Norwich Puppet Theatre
Norwich Puppet Theatre

Learn the art of whisky malt at an award-winning distillery.

Become a single malt whisky maker

Photo by: spiritofthespey

A man tasting whisky at the Ballindalloch Distillery in northern Scotland
Ballindalloch Distillery

Churn the cheese scene up with a hands-on Cheese Making Day. Led by experts in all things dairy, you’ll learn the basics of making your own cheese.

Visit Teesdale Cheesemakers

Photo by: Teesdale Cheesemakers

A tour of Teesdale Cheesemakers, looking at the creation of local cheeses
Teesdale Cheesemakers

Calling all Game of Thrones fans! Enter the world of The Seven Kingdoms, complete with original costumes, props and weapons.

Book the Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Photo by: Linen Mill Studios / WarnerMedia / Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Costume Gallery at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour
Game of Thrones Studio Tour

From pros to absolute beginners, there's room for everyone on the slopes at Chill Factore.

Enjoy a snow session at Chill Factore

Photo by: Chill Factore

Location: Manchester, England

Two men skiing and snowboarding on an indoor snowslope at Chill Factore in Manchester
Chill Factore

A caving experience like no other! You can bounce, leap and jump through this extraordinary subterranean playground.

Explore Bounce Below, Zip World Slate Caverns

Photo by: Crown copyright (2017) Visit Wales

People in helmets and red jumpsuits at netting trampolines
Bounce Below, Zip World Slate Caverns

Come for the golf, stay for the party – a riotous mash-up of crazy golf, drinks and music.

Tee off at Junkyard Golf Club

Photo by: Junkyard Golf Oxford

Two people posing with golf clubs at Junkyard Golf in Oxford
Junkyard Golf Club

Part whisky distillery, part heritage museum – Ad Gefrin offers a fascinating taste of Northumberland life.

Discover the spirit of Northumberland at Ad Gefrin

Photo by: VisitBritain/Pinzutu

A tasting session at Ad Gefrin Whisky Distillery
Ad Gefrin

Welcome to the ultimate obstacle course, where you’ll need to climb, balance, swing and jump to the finish line.

Tackle Ninja Warrior Edinburgh

Photo by: Alamy Stock Photo

Location: Edinburgh

Ninja Warrior Edinburgh
Ninja Warrior Edinburgh

Get a hold for bouldering at this indoor climbing experience. Navigate your way up dedicated climbing routes as you get a thrill for this exciting sport.

Visit LancasterWall Climbing

Photo by: Lancaster Wall

People climbing an indoor bouldering wall in Lancashire
LancasterWall Climbing Experience

A thrill seeker’s dream, enter this tropical paradise with more than 18 waterslides and attractions for all the family.

Hours of fun at Sandcastle Waterpark

Photo by: Sandcastle Waterpark

Location: Blackpool, England

People riding slides at an indoor water park.
Sandcastle Waterpark

With bowling, American pool, beer pong and more, this adults-only playground is full of competitive fun.

Visit Roxy Ball Room

Photo by: The Roxy Ballroom

A row of Crazy Pool tables in Roxy Ballroom in Birmingham, a mash-up of crazy golf and pool
Roxy Ball Room

Create one-of-a-kind souvenirs at this sociable ceramics studio, with classes and workshops galore.

Get arty at Cardiff Pottery Workshops

Photo by: 10'000 Hours / Digital Vision / Getty Images

Location: Cambridge

Woman making pottery, Potter's hands making bowl on pottery wheel
Cardiff Pottery Workshops

See expert chocolatiers at work, and have a go at creating your own cocoa masterpieces too!

Discover York's Chocolate Story

Photo by: VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Person decorating dark chocolate with white chocolate piping
York's Chocolate Story

Slip into a world free of distractions, where not even light, sound or gravity can interrupt your me-time.

Plan your visit to Float Planet

Photo by: Float Planet Liverpool

Location: Liverpool

A woman in a flotation tank
Float Planet

A throw of the dice can win it all at this board gaming cafe. There are over 350 games to choose from – who will reign supreme?

Challenge your friends at Board

Photo by: Exeter City Council

A family playing a board game while eating food at Board Café in Exeter
Board – board games cafe

Get crafting with a sewing and craft class at Made and Making in the South Downs Heritage and Garden Centre, near Brighton.

Get crafting at Made and Making

Photo by: Alamy

Location: South Downs

Made and Making
Made and Making

Try paintballing, go-karting and escape games, and make a splash in bumper boats and inflatable zorbs.

Visit Heatherton World of Activities

Photo by: Visit Pembrokeshire

Location: Peak District

Heatherton World of Activities
Heatherton World of Activities

Filled with original props, sets and costumes from the Harry Potter films, this is a must-visit for all fans.

Book the Harry Potter Studio Tour

Photo by: Warner Bros. Studio Tours, The Making of Harry Potter / Marc Sethi

Hagrids Hut, Warner Bros Studio Tours, Harry Potter World
Warner Bros. Studio Tour - Harry Potter

Take a spin on an Olympic-sized ice rink, at the home of the Nottingham Panthers ice hockey team.

Discover the National Ice Centre

Photo by: National Ice Centre, Nottingham

Location: Northumberland

 National Ice Centre, Nottingham
National Ice Centre

With shows for younger audiences and adults alike, enjoy a puppet show or get the kids involved in puppet making.

Pick up a puppet at Norwich Puppet Theatre

Photo by: Andi Sapey

Location: Norwich, England

A performer on stage at Norwich Puppet Theatre
Norwich Puppet Theatre

Learn the art of whisky malt at an award-winning distillery.

Become a single malt whisky maker

Photo by: spiritofthespey

A man tasting whisky at the Ballindalloch Distillery in northern Scotland
Ballindalloch Distillery

Churn the cheese scene up with a hands-on Cheese Making Day. Led by experts in all things dairy, you’ll learn the basics of making your own cheese.

Visit Teesdale Cheesemakers

Photo by: Teesdale Cheesemakers

A tour of Teesdale Cheesemakers, looking at the creation of local cheeses
Teesdale Cheesemakers

Calling all Game of Thrones fans! Enter the world of The Seven Kingdoms, complete with original costumes, props and weapons.

Book the Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Photo by: Linen Mill Studios / WarnerMedia / Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Costume Gallery at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour
Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Winter film and TV releases

Get the popcorn ready for Britain’s starring moments on screen this winter, hot on the heels of autumn releases like The Witcher, Running Man and Anemone. Herefordshire steps into the spotlight for Hamnet, the West Midlands welcomes the Peaky Blinders, and look out for Wuthering Heights’ Cathy and Heathcliffe in the Yorkshire Dales.

Photo by: The National Trust

A group of people kayaking along Cuckmere River in East Sussex

Wicked: For Good

UK release date: 21 November 2026 

The South Downs and a stunning Norfolk tulip field made cameos in Wicked’s first installment, which saw a field in Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire, transformed into Munchkinland. Will we see more British filming locations in For Good

Photo by: Weobley Parish Council

View of street lined with black and white timber framed cottages

Hamnet

UK release date: 9 January 2026 

Herefordshire takes centre stage in this drama about William Shakespeare’s son. Weobley, a quaint town peppered with black-and-white houses, doubles for 16th-century Stratford-upon-Avon. Meanwhile, the National Trust’s Cwmmau Farmhouse in Whitney-on-Wye becomes Anne Hathaway’s childhood home. 

Photo by: North Yorkshire Council/ Tom Arber

A man and a woman sit on a step looking towards a heritage building

Bridgerton

UK release date: Part one on 29 January 2026; part two on 26 February 2026 

Dearest gentle reader – the Ton is abuzz with the news of season four’s release. Previous filming locations of Bridgerton have ranged from the Georgian streets of Bath to Yorkshire’s Castle Howard, so we’re excited to see which legendary landmarks will be in this series. 

Photo by: Paul Healy

An aerial view of a river surrounded by green fields, trees, and rolling hills.

Wuthering Heights

UK release date: 13 February 2026 

Hollywood descended on the Yorkshire Dales in 2025 for Emerald Fennell’s star-studded remake of Wuthering Heights. Watch out for Arkengarthdale, Swaledale and the village of Low Row in the film, where cast were spotted shooting.  

Photo by: Shutterstock / Robert Harding

Location: Wrexham, Wales

A tall aqueduct spanning a pretty stream.

The Immortal Man

UK release date: Rumoured winter 2025-26 

Following on from the events of series six of Peaky Blinders, The Immortal Man continues Tommy Shelby’s story during World War II. Filming took place at Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s Digbeth Loc. Studios in Birmingham, with other rumoured locations including Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in north Wales. 

Photo by: VisitBritain/Maria Grazia Sinatra

A woman walks in front of an heritage castle

Outlander

UK release date: Rumoured early 2026 

Tissues at the ready as we bid farewell to Outlander’s Claire and Jamie – and the wonderful Scottish backdrops that we’ve fallen in love with over the last eight series. Possibly filming locations for series eight include Midhope Castle in West Lothian, which stands in as Lallybroch, the Fraser ancestral home. 

Like that winter film? Love this winter destination

After-dark nightlife and culture in Britain

Make the most of the longer nights with after-hours fun in Britain’s museums and galleries. Or how about a candlelight concert, or a spot of shopping?

Photo by: VisitBritain/Pinzutu

Two friends exploring an immersive rainforest themed experience room
  • Candlelight concerts at Manchester Cathedral

    Swap hymns for the music of Adele and Fleetwood Mac at Manchester Cathedral’s eclectic line-up of candlelight tribute concerts. The medieval church provides a suitably atmospheric setting for an evening of top tunes – visit during the day to take a guided tour. 

  • The Night Market UK, across Britain

    Love late-night shopping? Uncover vintage finds and handmade makes at The Night Market UK, which supports local creatives. Plus, there’ll be live music and street food stalls to keep you fuelled all evening long. Recent markets have popped up in Birmingham, Newcastle and Manchester – keep an eye on their socials for more locations. 

  • After Hours at Wake The Tiger, Bristol 

    Britain’s largest immersive art experience, Wake The Tiger is a Bristol family favourite – but its adults-only After Hours are a must for big kids too. Explore more than 40 surreal spaces, meeting robots and whizzing down slides along the way, and don’t miss the on-site bar dishing out pizzas and drinks. 

  • Art After Dark at the National Museum Cardiff 

    Pick up a paintbrush and create your interpretation of iconic artwork at the National Museum Cardiff’s regular Art After Dark sessions. Hosted by local artist Rachel Rasmussen, the sessions aim to unleash your inner creative – with no prior experience needed. 

  • Comedy at the Museum, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery 

    Comedy at the Museum puts the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s Tearoom centre stage for a night of belly laughs. Before the show, you can explore the museum’s galleries and relax with a drink, before watching some of Britain’s top comedians in action.  

Top British winter destinations

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