Hello! My fiancé and I are going to the UK for 10 days over New Years. We're seeing the Harry Potter play in London at the end of the trip, but want to start our vacation in a smaller city.
We're thinking about spending 3-4 days in the York or Cornwall areas, but are having a hard time deciding. We know the weather will probably be less than ideal, but we're prepared :)
Any suggestions to spend a couple days in winter in a smaller U.K. City would be welcome! Thank you!
I'd suggest York rather than Cornwall, especially in winter. You can assume some cold wet weather and it's easier to manage that in a city like York than a spread-out mostly rural area like Cornwall. The best part of Cornwall is the scenery, best enjoyed in warmer dryer seasons (dryness is relative, I know).
York is also much easier to reach from London, a two-hour train from Kings Cross. The city has a great cathedral, museums, the old wall, a compact pedestrian center, lots of good eating and shopping, pubs etc. You could easily spend two full days there, or three if you're enough of an old train nut to spend a day at the Railway Museum. No need for a car unless you want to drive elsewhere, and there are good options for day trips too.
Another option, closer to London, might be Oxford -- a good-size city with lots of compact sightseeing, shopping, dining etc. options, about an hour from London by train. Nearby Blenheim Palace could be an easy excursion.
actually new year in England in recent years has been mild but windy (with/without rain). York would probably have more happening than a random place in Cornwall but don't expect big organised firework displays. January 1st is a holiday and some museums may be closed but otherwise it will be pretty much like a Saturday with possibly a sluggish start.
Main gathering on NYE in York is outside the Minster. The degree of 'organised' entertainment put on seems to vary from year to year.
