Christmas at Cambridge and Sandringham

Re- Question 2- there is no public transport so it's taxi or drive. The village toilets open at 8am, and a Coffee truck soon after.
Everyone apparently gathers behind crush barriers at the war memorial, then from 9.45 there is a controlled release in groups through security to be closer to the Church. And apparently orders of service are also handed out.
But it's a totally public happening, event is probably the wrong word.
If it was me, then after the service on Christmas Eve I would get a train to Kings Lynn and stay there. The last will be around 7pm, so lots of time to spare.
The next bus or train out of Kings Lynn is on 27 December.

But I suppose you could stay in Cambridge and drive up before first light, maybe 7am or even earlier. It would be a long and expensive taxi ride, but that is relative to different people. About 50 miles each way, at seasonal rates likely around £150 in each direction, as a rough ish ballpark, maybe closer to £200.

Thanks so much for this informative reply. Yes, it sounds like sleeping in King's Lynn would make the most sense. I very much appreciate knowing about the train between Cambridge and King's Lynn.

I'm seeing on Rome2Rio (which I've been told is unreliable) that it's about a 15-min taxi ride from King's Lynn to Sandringham. It also shows a Line 35 bus, but I would guess that doesn't run on Christmas.

If anyone knows about the Kings College Nine Lessons and Carols, or has any friends who've done it and have any tips, I'll be grateful!

15 minutes sounds about right for the taxi ride. Bus Lines 34, 35 and 36 do the run, but the last service before Christmas is at 2110 on Christmas Eve from Kings Lynn, according to the operator, Lynx.

If any of you have attended, do you have any tips on how to dress (warm, layers I'm guessing), how/when to access the restrooms, any other logistics?

I’d always wear layers, a scarf and a warm coat in any old British church or chapel in winter. Think particularly about your feet on the stone floors. And of course women can wear a nice warm hat in church.

Re what you call restrooms, if you look at the general guidance for attending chapel services (not specifically Nine Lessons) you’ll see this:

We regret that there are no public toilet facilities available in College.

I once went to a normal service there, many years ago, and used the loo at a restaurant beforehand. But of course you have to get to the chapel early, the service is quite long and it’s broadcast live on BBC radio so there’s no nipping out quickly midway through. So really you will have to decide if you can cope! I probably couldn’t, these days…

Ah! Very important to know that there will be "no public toilet facilities." The logic of this fits with the fact that they no longer have public queuing for the Nine Lessons and Carols service; tickets only.

I agree with your advice about layers and warmth, and thanks for mentioning the stone floors. I live in Connecticut, where our climate is fairly similar to that of England (except maybe less rainfall) so this won't be a radical change from what I wear to church here in winter.