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If you’re looking to give a gift that will mean more than yet another selection box, then you can’t go wrong with the gift of a day out.

By giving a day out, you are giving the gift of an experience and a memory that will last a lot longer than a lot of the presents you might buy.

The UK is home to loads of great places for a fantastic day out for children and adults alike.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Not only is Yorkshire Wildlife Park home to animals ranging from Baboons to Giant Otters and Lions to Camels, but they also make a huge effort when it comes to the festive season.

From November to January, the park is absolutely transformed by a dazzling array of lights and Winter Illuminations. The Winter Illuminations display features over 2,400 metres of illuminated trails, plus giant lanterns themed as animals, dinosaurs, and mystical creatures.

Round out your experience by sampling some of the festive food and drink that’s on offer, and you’ve got the recipe for a great evening out.

Cathedrals and churches

Christmas time is probably the best time of year to experience Cathedrals and Churches in their full glory.

Gloucester Cathedral, for example, hosts Christmas trails and their family advent calendar throughout December! It’s a great way to get into the true spirit of Christmas, and also learn a little bit about the history of the country.

Gloucester Cathedral is not only beautiful, but it’s also famous as the burial place of King Edward II.

Visiting the Cathedral itself is free; you’ll only be asked to give an optional donation on leaving, so if you want to make this part of a special Christmas gift, you could bulk it out with an Uber Eats Gift Card from GiftVouchers. That way, a wonderful day out at the Cathedral can be rounded out with a hearty meal and no washing up!

Westonbirt Arboretum

Every year the arboretum at Westonbirt is completely transformed by gorgeous displays of lights, transforming this already beautiful part of the country into a kind of magical grotto. Kids and grown-ups alike will love it, and there’s usually lots of hot chocolate and mulled wine to be had too!

Christmas markets

Nothing quite gets you in the mood for Christmas like a Christmas market! We wrote a piece recently listing our favourite Christmas markets, which you can use for inspiration. Wrap your friends up nice and warm and send them on their way with a spot of spending money, and they’ll be talking about your gift to them for years to come.

Museums and Galleries

When it’s cold and miserable outside, it’s the perfect opportunity to visit a museum or an art gallery.

London is home to some wonderful museums like the British Museum and Madame Tussauds, but you’ll find museums all over the country chronicling the history of the towns that are their homes.

For example, Bath is home to the Roman Baths and also to Jane Austen’s House, a museum dedicated to the famous author. Further North, Manchester is home to the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, and most towns will be home to a museum showcasing the lives of their famous citizens.

Giving the gift of learning and a new perspective is hard to beat!