From dazzling light displays and lively artisan markets to sumptuous seasonal stays and friendly reindeer, read on to discover some of our favourite festive coastal breaks this year

(and some you might not have thought about)

This is prime trekking country. It’s a joy to crunch snow underfoot on a bright winter-day walk – and find a snug pub amid the handsome towns and villages. In this official Dark Sky Reserve, on cold c

It calls itself the ‘capital of Christmas’, and this city in north-east France has hosted a festive market for 450 years – so it could be right! The markets spread out across the centre of the town, f

THIS CORNISH TOWN IS A SUMMERTIME DARLING, BUT ITS CAPTIVATING GALLERIES AND ATMOSPHERIC JAZZ BARS MAKE IT EQUALLY INVITING IN THE WINTER MONTHS

Twinkling trails London’s festive lights are a free ...