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Every part of Britain has its own New Year traditions, from the world-famous Scottish Hogmanay to more obscure celebrations. Whether they are ways to bring us luck for the coming year or simply about sharing food and gifts, these old customs are fascinating – and can be a lot of fun.
We’ve gathered a selection of weird and wonderful New Year traditions from across the UK. Where would you like to be celebrating on New Year’s Eve?
With its many ways to celebrate Hogmanay, Scotland leads the way when it comes to welcoming the New Year (there is even an extra bank holiday to mark the occasion). The country that gave the world Auld Lang Syne throws the best parties at New Year, from the massive gatherings in Edinburgh and Glasgow to events in every village pub. The most famous tradition is that of the “First Footer”, who is the first person to cross your threshold after midnight. They’ll bring you luck, and hopefully also a present (can we hint for a nice single malt?). For maximum luck points, your ideal first footer is a dark-haired man.
If you want to be transported back to a wilder time, spend New Year’s Eve in Allendale in Northumberland. A group of local men called “guisers” carry flaming barrels of tar through the streets, which they heave onto the bonfire at midnight. This tradition has been held for over 160 years, but it’s believed to be much older – medieval, or even pagan. There’s also a New Year flaming barrel tradition in Moray (north of Inverness).
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God’s Own Country has a fair few New Year traditions, but this one has to be among the best. Just before the clock strikes twelve, you need to say “Black rabbits, black rabbits, black rabbits”. While the bongs sound out, say “White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits”, bringing you luck for the new year ahead. Why rabbits? Nobody seems to be able to offer an explanation, but rabbits are cute and we love this rather more gentle custom.
You can chant about rabbits in the Peak District as this beautiful area includes parts of South and West Yorkshire. However, the Peak District used to have its own New Year tradition, the “posset cup”. Posset is a warming spiced drink made from boiled cream, ale, eggs, treacle, ginger and nutmeg, traditionally served in a special pot. At New Year, the lady of the house would pop her wedding ring in the cup. Whoever found it would be wed within the next twelve months (provided they didn’t choke on the wedding ring).
God Cakes are an old tradition in the city of Coventry, and happily, this was revived a few years ago. A God Cake is a sugar-sprinkled pastry filled with sweet mincemeat, in a triangle shape to represent the Holy Trinity. They were baked and given out on New Year’s Day, often by godparents to their godchildren. The cakes were relaunched with great fanfare at Coventry Transport Museum in 2012 – and jolly delicious they are, too. Here’s a recent recipe for Coventry God Cakes.
Calennig is an old Welsh tradition, rarely seen these days. Groups of children would go door-to-door on the morning of New Year’s Day (hopefully the residents weren’t suffering from sore heads), carrying decorated apples and singing for coins or food, “calennig” meaning “New Year’s gift”. You are unlikely to be troubled by early-morning singing in your holiday cottage in Wales, as this custom has almost died out. Keep a few pound coins handy, just in case….
Cornwall has recently become one of the top spots in Britain for New Year, with people flocking to towns like St Ives and Newquay for a seaside celebration. The coastal county has its own version of first footing called “sweeping the sand”. You mark a line on the doorstep using sand, and the first person to cross the line brings the household luck for the coming year. Hopefully they will also gift a silver coin for extra luck.
There are so many beautiful places with wonderful traditions across the UK. Where will you go to welcome in 2025? At Handpicked Cottages, we still have luxury holiday cottages available for December and New Year. Please get in touch with us to book your New Year holiday.
Are you planning a holiday for Christmas 2024? Whether it’s a cosy cottage for two or a larger place that fits the whole family, going away for Christmas makes the whole celebration seem even more exciting. But where are the best places in Britain to spend Christmas?
From bustling cities to charming old villages, we’ve gathered together a few of our favourite places for a Christmas holiday in the UK.
Brighton combines classic seaside charm with a vibrant social scene, not to mention fabulous Christmas shopping in The Lanes. We love ice skating at Brighton Pavilion, especially after dark among the colourful twinkly lights, and there are parades, pantomimes and light shows galore. You can also join in with Britain’s OG festive dip: Brighton’s Christmas Day Swim has been going since 1860. Alternatively, the beach is perfect for an invigorating, post-lunch walk.
Every city looks its best for Christmas, but there’s something particularly special about Bath. The Georgian streets are Christmas card-perfect, enhanced by the Christmas market chalets. Again, there’s an ice rink and a pantomime, and a whole host of other festive events. Our favourite thing to do in Bath at Christmas? Simply wander around the lovely old streets, admiring the lights and decorations, while enjoying the many shops, pubs and restaurants.
Imagine frost-dusted fields, honey-coloured cottages and old inns with roaring fires: the almost-impossibly pretty villages of the Cotswolds look like they were made for Christmas. Pick up delicious local produce at one of the many lovely market towns, and take it home for a cosy feast in your rural holiday cottage. There are plenty of Cotswold attractions with festive events for families, and it’s great dog-walking county all year round.
The half-timbered buildings, cobbled streets and many medieval churches of York make it such a perfect place for a Christmas trip. There’s a wide choice of independent and high street shops and an unbelievable amount of inviting old pubs. Wander through the Christmas Market to pick up Yorkshire-made gifts and to snack on local street food. If you’re able to attend, the Nine Lessons at York Minster on Christmas Eve is one of those life-making moments.
Do you dream of getting away from it all at Christmas? You and the family, or just the two of you, settled down in a snug cottage in the middle of the countryside – perfect. Britain is blessed with many beautiful rural locations; and the unspoilt coast and countryside of South Wales is one of our top spots for a rural retreat. Pop into charming spots like Mumbles or St David’s to pick up essentials, otherwise, enjoy the peace and quiet…
The New Forest may be beautiful in the autumn, but don’t dismiss it as having peaked. The winter forests are magical, sprinkled with frost or even snow, and there are plenty of woodland paths that are suitable for year-round walks. Spotting deer among the evergreens or in the mist-hung fields will be one of those Christmas moments that stick with you. For festive food, Christmas markets and independent shops, head for Lymington, Lyndhurst or Brockenhurst.
Please don’t hold us to this, but the Cairngorms is one of the most likely places in the UK to see snowfall at Christmas. However, even if there’s not enough powder for a Christmas Day snowball tournament, you’ll still have the view of the snow-tipped tops of the National Park’s peaks. The Caledonian Pine forests, icy lochs and roaming Cairngorm reindeer herd create a wintry wonderland feeling like nowhere else, along with that incredibly dark, star-filled sky.
There’s still time to book a Christmas holiday in the UK. At Handpicked Cottages, we have a selection of luxury holiday cottages available for Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025. Get in touch to find out more.
If you have any questions, you can use our form below to send an email and we’ll be in touch.