While many Britons seek winter sun and festive markets abroad, new research confirms the world's most magical Christmas experience is right here in the United Kingdom. A comprehensive study has crowned a British attraction as the globe's top destination for seasonal joy.
Hogwarts Tops the Charts for Christmas Magic
The analysis, conducted by AttractionTickets.com, examined 180 global spots to determine which create the most Christmas cheer. The methodology involved scrutinising online reviews, calculating an overall Total Joy Score out of ten, and a specific Christmas Joy Score based on how frequently the word 'Christmas' appeared in four and five-star feedback.
Topping the chart was London's Warner Bros Studio Tour, celebrated for perfectly capturing the enchanting cinematic spirit of the festive period. Its 'Hogwarts In The Snow' experience, running from November 15 to January 18, transforms the Great Hall with decorations from the Yule Ball featured in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The iconic model of Hogwarts itself is blanketed in snow using the same pioneering technology as the beloved films.
How the UK and New York Shared the Festive Crown
The Studio Tour achieved a perfect five out of five on the Christmas Joy Score and a near-perfect 9.75 out of ten on the overall joy score. An impressive 931 four and five-star reviews explicitly mentioned Christmas, supporting its average online review rating of 4.75. This performance allowed it to tie for first place with New York's Central Park, a location famed for its appearances in countless festive films, where 746 top-tier reviews referenced the holiday.
Other global destinations followed closely. Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium ranked second with a Christmas Joy Score of five and an overall score of 9.7. Bryant Park in New York claimed third place, also boasting a perfect festive rating of five out of five.
UK's Woodland Retreats Prove Hugely Popular
The research highlighted the strong appeal of UK-based festive getaways. Longleat Forest's Center Parcs in Wiltshire placed fifth globally, with 690 positive reviews mentioning Christmas and a top festive score of five. The data suggests woodland retreats hold particular allure for British families during the holiday season.
Further cementing this trend, other UK Center Parcs locations scored highly: Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire took seventh place, while Elveden Forest in Suffolk secured eighth. Additionally, London's Kew Gardens ranked 13th with a Christmas Joy Score of four.
Commenting on the findings, travel expert and CEO of AttractionTickets.com, Oliver Brendon, said: 'Whether you're booking a last-minute holiday for 2025, or planning your Christmas break for 2026 already, this data is a great indicator of where you're likely to experience the most festive joy around Christmas time.'
He added: 'It's no surprise that New York locations performed well due to their global appeal, but it's great to see how more traditionally family-orientated holidays are proving just as impactful when it comes to Christmas joy.'
The study ultimately reveals that for unparalleled festive magic, Britons need not look far beyond their own shores, with the enchanting world of Harry Potter leading the way.
