Christmas Breaks

Sometimes it’s nice to get away for the festive period and spend it somewhere fresh and exciting. However, if you live in the UK you don’t need to travel halfway round the world to find something, as there’s an ideal winter wonderland on your own doorstep. Christmas breaks in South Devon are a great choice if you want to treat the family to a winter holiday without blowing next year’s budget.

While many resorts tend to shut up shop as winter approaches, the English Riviera stays busy throughout the year. Due to the sheltered location of its three main towns – Torquay, Paignton and Brixham – within Tor Bay, the Riviera of the south Devon coast has an unseasonably mild climate even in winter.

Christmas Events and attractions in South Devon

Despite being the epitome of an English seaside resort in the summer months, in winter the Riviera exchanges its beach towels and sun cream for sleigh-bells and baubles.

In Torquay many restaurants serve traditional Christmas dinner and lunch menus, while the town’s pubs and clubs have no shortage of festive themed entertainment for people enjoying Christmas breaks in the area. Pantomimes meanwhile can be found in plentiful supply at the Princess Theatre. If you want to catch the Torbay Christmas Carnival and see the Christmas lights being switched on, be sure to book your Christmas breaks in late November.

A Devon Winter Wonderland

One of South Devon’s most popular attractions, Babbacombe Model Village is transformed during the month of December, becoming a ‘Winter Wonderland’. Using highly realistic snow effects to cover the thousands of model buildings and miniature people, a white Christmas in Babbacombe is virtually guaranteed, if only for a very small part of it.

At Paignton Zoo meanwhile, visitors can enjoy Christmas lunch at the Island Restaurant in the centre of the zoo, overlooking Gibbon Island.

For anyone looking to buy some unique presents this Christmas, Brixham Christmas market has a wealth of local crafts and festive gifts. Brixham Christmas Carnival meanwhile is a fun family event, with dozens of floats and people in costume parading from the harbour around town.

Accommodation for Christmas Breaks

South Devon has a great range of accommodation open in the winter months, ranging from hotels and guesthouses to self-catering cottages and holiday apartments. For more information on Christmas breaks in the area and to find accommodation, simply continue to browse our website.