Things To Do In Somerset Between Christmas and New year (Family-Friendly Ideas)
From winter walks and magical light trails, to free days out and teen-friendly attractions, Somerset has loads to offer families during the Christmas holidays. Whether you’re visiting Somerset or live locally and need fresh ideas, this guide is packed with family-friendly things to do in Somerset after Christmas.
Written by a local family blogger, this guide focuses on realistic, accessible and budget-friendly ideas for families of all shapes and sizes.
Enjoy a Winter Walk (Perfect for Twixmas)
One of the best free things to do in Somerset between Christmas and New Year is getting outdoors. Winter walks are calmer, quieter and often more magical at this time of year.
There are loads of family friendly walks around Somerset. Look for flat, pram-friendly paths, woodland walks sheltered from wind and coastal routes with space for kids to roam.
Popular options include nature reserves, National Trust estates and country parks, many remain open throughout the Christmas holidays.
You may also enjoy: Accessible Walks in Somerset – Pram & Wheelchair-Friendly Routes
Visit a National Trust Property (Calmer After Christmas)
If you love visiting National Trust places in Somerset, the days between Christmas and New Year are often quieter than the lead-up to Christmas.
Many properties keep decorations up until early January, have winter trails for children and offer great cafés for warming up.
Tyntesfield
Tyntesfield is especially magical at this time of year. From 1 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, the estate is decorated under the theme Once Upon A Christmas Time, with fairytale-inspired displays throughout the house and grounds. Younger visitors can enjoy a festive trail through the house and follow a Christmas reindeer trail around the estate, making it a fun visit for children.
Montacute
A post-Christmas visit to Montacute House near Yeovil offers a gentler seasonal experience. Festive carols recorded by local choirs play around the gardens, while inside you’ll find a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and simple seasonal touches. It’s a peaceful spot for a winter walk, with the chance to warm up afterwards with festive treats from the café.
Dunster Castle
Dunster Castle and Gardens is open throughout the festive period (weekends in December and daily from mid-December to early January).
The castle’s rooms are decorated for Christmas and a festive Nutcracker Trail from 26 December to 4 January, invites families to explore the castle and grounds while following a fun, seasonal trail inspired by the classic Christmas story. You can combine this with a stroll through the gardens and medieval village. Read our guide to visiting Dunster for more information.
Always check opening dates as some sites close briefly, but plenty re-open from Boxing Day onwards.
RELATED READ: The Best National Trust Days Out in Somerset
Free Things to Do in Somerset During the Christmas Holidays
If you’re watching your budget after Christmas (aren’t we all?), there are still loads of free things to do in Somerset with kids during the festive break.
Ideas include:
Country parks and woodland adventures
Beach walks with a flask of hot chocolate
Town centre light displays still shining
Playgrounds and open green spaces
You’ll find even more ideas here: Free Christmas Events in Somerset & Bristol
Check for special deals and discounts at this time of year:
Hayes Motor Museum in Sparkford currently has a deal, if you visit during the Christmas holidays, every ticket is an annual pass. So this gives you FREE entry all year. Sounds good to me!
Teen-Friendly Things to Do in Somerset After Christmas
Entertaining teens during the Christmas holidays can be tricky, especially once the novelty of new gifts wears off.
Great teen-friendly activities in Somerset during Twixmas include:
Ice skating pop-ups – Bath on Ice and Clarks Village’s Ice skating rink are open until 4th January 2026. See our Christmas ice skating guide for more.
Cinema trips and bowling
Escape rooms
Shopping days in Bath, Bristol or Clarks Village
More inspiration: Things to Do in Somerset for Teens
Magical Light Trails Still Open After Christmas
If you’re planning a fun family outing after Christmas, there are still a few festive light trails and illuminated experiences running into the twixmas period:
Enchantment at Langford Lakes, Wellington
A shimmering illuminated walk around the lakes and through a Christmas tree forest, this magical trail runs until 30 December 2025, making it a great choice for a post-Christmas evening adventure.
‘Sparkle’ Christmas Illuminations at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells
The gardens and medieval ruins are lit up with dazzling lights and colourful installations, and this light display continues through to 4 January 2026 (closed 24–26 Dec). It’s perfect for a family stroll in the early evenings after Christmas.
Longleat Festival of Light, Wiltshire
For something truly spectacular, Longleat’s Festival of Light runs on selected dates from 8 November 2025 to 11 January 2026, with giant lantern sculptures, iconic British scenes, glowing displays and seasonal shows that are still open well into the New Year.
Tip: Look for weekday or early evening sessions if your children prefer quieter environments.
Want more inspiration? See this full guide to Christmas light trails around Somerset and Bristol.
Dog-Friendly Days Out (Walk Off the Christmas Dinner)
If your family includes four-legged members, Somerset is brilliant for dog-friendly winter days out.
Between Christmas and New Year is a great time for:
Woodland dog walks
Coastal paths
Cafés that welcome muddy paws
You might like: Best Dog Walks in Somerset
Indoor Things to Do in Somerset (For Cold or Rainy Days)
Let’s be honest, Somerset weather isn’t always kind in winter. Luckily, there are plenty of indoor family activities in Somerset for those colder Twixmas days.
Explore:
Museums and heritage centres
Soft play and trampoline parks
Swimming pools and leisure centres
Family-friendly cafés with space for kids
READ MORE: Things to do in North Somerset with kids when it’s raining: Indoor Attractions
Take a Car-Free Day Out by Train
The days between Christmas and New Year are perfect for slowing down and trying something different. A car-free day out by train can feel like an adventure in itself, especially for children.
Somerset train routes connect easily between:
Bath
Bristol
Weston-super-Mare
- Taunton
Plan one here: Somerset Family Adventures by Train: Car-Free Days Out With Kids
Pantomimes to See During Twixmas in Somerset & Bath
Seeing a pantomime is a brilliant Twixmas activity in Somerset, especially during the quieter days between Christmas and New Year. Many theatres run shows well into late December and early January, making them ideal for festive family outings, visiting relatives and rainy winter days.
Here are some of the key pantomimes on in Somerset and nearby Bath during Twixmas:
The Further Adventures of Peter Pan – Bath
Bath audiences can enjoy The Further Adventures of Peter Pan, which is running until 11 January. This is a fantastic option if you’re looking for things to do in Bath between Christmas and New Year, with plenty of magic, humour and family-friendly fun.
With performances continuing into early January, it’s a great choice for families visiting Bath during the Christmas holidays, and a post-Christmas treat without the Christmas Eve rush.
Cinderella – The Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare
Over in Weston-super-Mare, Cinderella is at The Playhouse and runs until 31 December, making it a perfect New Year’s Eve panto option in Somerset.
This is ideal if you’re looking for a traditional family pantomime in Somerset and a daytime matinee during Twixmas.
Weston-super-Mare is also a great spot to combine a panto with a beach walk or lunch out.
The Wizard of Oz – Strode Theatre, Street
For families in Mid-Somerset, The Wizard of Oz is playing at Strode Theatre in Street. This much-loved story is a brilliant choice for younger children and those seeing a pantomime for the first time.
For a full seasonal round-up, see: Family Christmas Shows & Pantomimes in Somerset
Why Somerset Is Perfect Between Christmas and New Year
Somerset truly shines during the quieter days after Christmas. Attractions are calmer, the landscape feels peaceful, and there’s space to enjoy time together before the new year begins.
Whether you’re visiting Somerset during the Christmas holidays, looking for things to do in Somerset with kids in winter or planning a low-cost, low-stress family day out. There’s something here for everyone.
More Somerset Family Inspiration
If you’re planning ahead, don’t forget to explore more local guides on this Somerset Family Adventures website, your go-to resource for family-friendly things to do in Somerset all year round.
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