Portsmouth has come first in a ranking of UK cities for the best festive getaways. The list rated the affordability, festive charm and visitor appeal of 40 cities.
At the top of the charts with a 71.01 score out of a possible 100, the coastal city offers a variety of events this year. This includes illuminations at Southsea Castle, Portsmouth on Ice at Guildhall Square and a chance to meet Father Christmas onboard HMS Warrior. There’s also a range of shows to watch, including The Muppet’s Christmas Carol in concert and three pantomimes to choose from. Theatres across the city will be home to Aladdin, A Christmas Carol and Snow White.
Sitting on the South Coast of England, the city boasts an average of eight snow days a year, giving visitors the best chance of enjoying a white Christmas.
For Christmas dinner, dining out costs an average of £60 for two people. Popular restaurants in the city include the award-winning Mehmet Kitchen, Smoke and Mirrors and Rocka Restaurant.
Stoke-On-Trent placed second in the ranking with a score of 64.32. It stands out as the most affordable city for a Christmas getaway.
While a hotel in Portsmouth averages £85.97 a night in December, Stoke is more budget friendly at £46.93 per night.
Other cities in the top five included Chester, Nottingham and Kingston Upon Hull. The ranking from Sweepstakes Table included data from TripAdvisor, VisitBritain and Weather Atlas.
