5 places to escape the crowds this winter

With crisp, sunny days and cosy open fires, winter can be wonderful – not least because it’s when the holiday crowds dwindle. Here are a few destinations that are a treat to visit – especially when you can have them all to yourself. 

Fowey Valley, Cornwall

Cornwall’s fantastic beaches and quaint towns and villages are famously busy in summer. Taking a break there when the weather isn’t so warm is the perfect time to enjoy the county without the crowds. The Fowey Valley is home to the picturesque towns of Lostwithiel, which boasts a ruined castle and a medieval bridge, and Fowey, with its narrow streets and pretty harbour. 

What to do: Eden Project is one of the highlights of this part of the world. There, you can get a taste of summer whatever the season when you wander into the Mediterranean and Rainforest biomes. And if you go at the right time, you can get the chance to skate on the Eden ice rink.

Where to stay: Best Western Fowey Valley Hotel, Lostwithiel 

Brecon Beacons, Wales

Stretching from the pretty towns of Hay-on-Wye to Llandelio, Brecon Beacons, or Bannau Brycheiniog in Welsh, is one of the UK’s most spectacular national parks. There are miles of walking and mountain biking trails, as well as castles and Brecon Cathedral to explore – and plenty of space to do it in in winter. And with a plethora of places to eat and drink in the area’s towns and villages, you won’t go hungry. 

What to do: Take advantage of the shorter days and do some stargazing. The Brecon Beacons has low levels of light pollution making it perfect for seeing major constellations, the Milky Way and even – if you’re lucky – meteor showers. 

Where to stay: Best Western Ebbw Vale 

The Cotswolds

Picture-postcard villages and rolling countryside make the Cotswolds a magnet for tourists in the spring and summer months. That’s why winter is such a smart time to visit, starting around November when the crowds start thinning out 

What to do: Visit Snowshill Village and marvel at the collection of curiosities at Snowshill Manor – if you time it right, you might even see some snow. Browse the independent shops in Cirencester ‘capital of the Cotswolds’. And if you’re feeling very adventurous, try the aerial activities at 270 Climbing Park in between Cheltenham and Gloucester. 

Where to stay: Cricklade House Hotel, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western 

London

For a break in the capital without (quite so many) crowds, winter is the time to go. London tends to get less busy around November and again in January. The weather might not be wonderful, but there’s plenty to do indoors, as well as bracing walks in the city’s parks. 

What to do: Get a better view of what’s on show at the city’s free galleries and museums. And you might want to brave a few crowds to see the Christmas lights in London’s West End.  

Where to stay: Best Western Victoria Palace Hotel 

Bakewell and the Peak District

Winter in the Peak District can get cold and snowy, but it’s also a chance to enjoy brisk wintry walks and see some magnificent landscapes without the crowds. And if it’s too cold to brave the National Park, you can explore the pretty towns of Bakewell and Buxton. 

What to do: Go underground when you explore Poole’s Cavern in Buxton. And take a trip to the pretty market town of Bakewell. The magnificent Chatsworth House, in the heart of the Peak District, is transformed into a Christmas wonderland between 8 November and 14 November. Book in advance to visit. 

Where to stay: Best Western Plus Buxton Lee Wood Hotel