AS the cold snap continues across the UK, you might be tempted to stay indoors.
But the Sun’s travel team have picked our favourite places for a winter day trip – from from cosy villages to trendy cities – that are just as amazing even in bad weather.
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Stratford Upon Avon – Hope Brotherton, Travel Reporter
AS both a Brummie and an avid bookworm, I spend a lot of time visiting Stratford Upon Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
The picturesque medieval market can get very busy in the height of the summer, but there are still plenty of rainy day activities to keep day-trippers both amused and dry.
Located in the heart of Stratford Upon Avon, Shakespeare’s Birthplace tells the story of the English playwright’s childhood.
Nearby, there’s also Shakespeare’s New Place, reopening later this year; it’s where the famous writer lived until he died in the late 16th century.
Fans of the British playwright can even see Shakespeare’s grave inside Holy Trinity Church.
A visit to Stratford Upon Avon isn’t complete without taking in a show at the Royal Shakespeare Company where celebrities like David Tennant, Christopher Eccleston and Patrick Stewart have all performed.
If you really want to splash the cash, dine in the rooftop restaurant beforehand for sweeping countryside views on a clear day.
Stay at The Arden Hotel; if you’re taking in a late show at the theatre, it’s a short stumble from the Dirty Duck, where actors often head for a drink.
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North Wales – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
PARTS of North Wales are so untouched and rural that they almost feel foreign.
If you’re a keen rambler, this is the place for you.
Expect giant lakes where the waters are so still they reflect a perfect image of the snowy mountain tops behind, as well as cosy pubs wedged into cliffsides overlooking deep, grassy valleys.
No matter which direction you walk in, one thing is guaranteed – and that’s excellent views.
Little ones will love spying the animals from shaggy-furred sheep to fluffy cows grazing in the fields or you can swing by one of the many family-friendly farms which open their doors to visitors, with onsite cafes and petting areas.
There are three national parks in Wales alone, including Snowdonia, and each of these looks even more beautiful in the winter months, when grassy hills are covered in a layer of frost and icicles form on rocks which line the many rivers.
If you love a pub, you won’t be short of choice. If you’re near Corwen, head to The Berwyn Arms, a 17th century gastro pub serving excellent local ales and with a roaring fireplace that will keep you toasty after a brisk hike.
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Cambridge – Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
DURING wet weather it’s best to avoid punting along the River Cam, but there’s still plenty to do in Cambridge that makes it the best city for a day trip.
If history is one of your interests (or even if it’s not), then take a walking tour of the colleges, where the likes of Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking studied.
The tours are guided by local students, so they really know their stuff, and will tell you all you need to know.
The Eagle pub on Bene’t Street, has been pouring pints since 1667 and is the perfect place for a pit stop.
It was also once the drinking hole of Watson and Crick, the regulars who discovered DNA. More importantly, they do a fantastic Sunday roast.
If, like me, you’re a fan of theatre, there’s always something going on at Cambridge Arts from live music, to touring theatre productions and comedy.
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Manchester – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
TO me, one of the best places for a rainy day outing is a city, as you can easily nip in and out of all the museums, attractions and restaurants on offer.
And Manchester has long been my favourite place to visit.
For indoor museums, there is the amazing Science and Industry for kids, which was once the oldest train station in the UK.
Personally, I love the Paradise Skate World roller rink, which opens in the evenings.
It even has some internationally acclaimed spots with Schofield’s named one of the world’s best bars.
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Hull – Hope Brotherton, Travel Reporter
LOCATED in East Yorkshire, it takes just two hours and 45 minutes to reach Hull on a direct train from London Kings Cross, and it’s even closer to Sheffield and Birmingham.
In recent years, Hull has enjoyed a taste of the showbiz lifestyle with the Old Town being used as a backdrop for blockbusters and hit Netflix TV shows like The Crown and Bodies.
Day-trippers can follow the It Must Be Hullywood walking trail to walk past the city’s most well-known filming locations.
The route isn’t too long, so it’s still doable in the colder months.
If you want to have something in common with iconic TV star Timmy Mallett, then climb Hull Ministers 170 steps to its roof.
While Timmy Mallett treated locals to a rendition of the hit song, ‘Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini’ on the church bells, I simply enjoyed its panoramic views for just £7.50.
Families will want to make the most of the city’s museums like the Streetlife Museum, the William Wilberforce House Museum and the Hull & East Riding Museum of Archaeology, all of which are free to enter.
I visited the Hull & East Riding Museum of Archaeology, which does a fantastic job of engaging children – and journalists – with the wonders of archaeology.
Spot for a pint and some hearty pub grub at the Lion and Key, an old school-style pub where its walls are lined with old shop signs and maritime memorabilia.
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London – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)
LONDON is the perfect winter day trip destination, even the public transport is underground – away from the cold and the rain.
As a Londoner for the last 22 years, the last six of which have been as a mum, I’ve often taken the tube into the centre of town when the grey clouds descend in January and February.
My favourite museums on a particularly rainy day are the Science, Natural History and V&A museums in South Kensington, as they are right next to each other so you don’t have to spend more than 20 seconds outside.
If you want to stay inside even longer, the Science Museum has its own IMAX cinema showing family-friendly 3D documentaries.
When it comes to food and drink, Borough Market is almost entirely undercover and stuffed full of the most exciting grub from both here in Britain and around the world.
Fill up on fresh cakes, oysters, empanadas, curries or ramen and then duck into one of the areas incredible pubs – we rate The Lord Clyde (a cosy old man’s pub) or The Mug House, which has an 1800s London feel with the pewter tankards hanging from the bar and tables hidden inside whitewashed underground tunnels.
Alternatively, check out one of the many, many shopping destinations in the capital, from posh Selfridges department store to John Lewis on Oxford Street, Hamleys to Liberty on Regent Street, or the cute stalls in Covent Garden’s Piazza.
Then in the evening, it’s well worth hanging around for one of the incredible shows both on and off the West End.
Last minute tickets for some of the biggest performances can be found for as little as £15 on sites like Todaytix.com and the Official London Theatre website.
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Burford – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
IF YOU want to avoid the hustle and bustle of a busy city, another pretty spot to visit when it’s rainy is Burford in the Cotswolds.
Having grown up in the nearby town of Witney, it is full of quaint sweet spots and bakeries where you can grab a cuppa and a scone to sit and shelter from the rain.
The Prince of Burford is a great place to stay, with rooms and a cosy pub, with a roaring fire to keep you warm.
Make sure to grab your brolly and head to the river at the end of the high street to feed your crumbs to the ducks – it’s nice weather for them after all.
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Cromer, Norfolk – Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
THERE’S no denying the seaside town of Cromer is beautiful in the summertime, but just because it drizzles doesn’t mean you have to stay inside.
A walk on the beach might mean missing out on an ice cream, but Harris & James’ have the most luxurious hot chocolate on offer as well as a variety of house blend coffee to warm the cockles.
On the beachfront is Cromer Pier and the Pavilion Theatre is one of only five UK end of pier theatres, check out what’s on while you’re there, and don’t miss the Cromer Pier Show.
Who goes to the seaside and doesn’t get fish and chips? Mary Jane’s Fish Bar is the best of the best, try and go a bit before you get really hungry because the queue is usually out the door.
If you end up travelling around Norfolk, see if you can spot some seals on Horsey Beach, sightsee at Sandringham House, and be amazed by the performers at Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth.
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Edinburgh – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
SCOTLAND’S capital city shines brightly even when the sun does not (and that can be a rather frequent occurrence).
It’s got everything an energetic city should have: excellent shopping, globally-recognised restaurants and enough attractions to keep you busy for a full year from fascinating museums to distillery tours.
What sets Edinburgh apart from any ordinary city, though, is its historic architecture with cobblestone streets lined by wonky buildings and a magnificent castle at its centre.
The Royal Mile and the Old Town is a prime example of this. Hordes of quirky cafes and boutique shops flank the narrow side streets and each feels more spectacular than the last.
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If you’re after a unique gift for a friend, you’re sure to find it here.
For those who can brave the chilly weather, a hike to Arthur’s Seat will reward you with breathtaking views of a mishmash of traditional and modern buildings.
If you’d rather cosy up in one of Edinburgh’s many drinking holes, make sure to order a whisky – there are several top notch distilleries dotted in and around the city. Just don’t have too many if you need to drive home that evening!
