I've been following Secret London in Instagram and also get their newsletter and right now Secret London is showing some fun Christmas displays that have just opened up.
Sigh, one of these days I will make it to England (especially London) for Christmas!!! In the meantime, I'll enjoy the photos.
Thanks for sharing Mardee. Iām dreaming of Christmas in Paris 2025 then training to Strausburg, Colmar, Basel, flying home from Zurich. London looks just as nice from these pictures. Iām ready to go but I have to convince my husband. My girlfriends and sisters are not into travel like we are š.
Mardee,
Me, too!! Me,too! Christmas in London is on my very long Bucket List! Thanks for sharing this link! Itās so fun to look- and dream!
Oh my word! SWOON!!! I love the St Pancras International tree! Book shelves and reading nooks....what more could you want, hahaa?? I've already started with re-reading my Christmas-themed books...
And yes, I want to go to London at Christmas too. I want to do a similar plan to Barbara but London/Salisbury/Bath, then Eurostar to Paris with a few days in Colmar.
Barbara would you consider traveling solo if your DH doesn't want to go?
MustLuvDogs, I keep dumping websites like this into my never-ending "Christmas London/Paris" bookmark folder! I want to have a handle on what I need to book well ahead (Christmas at Kew) and what I can decide on at the last minute.
Amazing!! Thank you, Mardee, for this article!
Lovely decorations and I am also loving the Book Tree in St Pancras!
I would love to see the Christmas trees at Leadenhall Market, Tower of London, and go ice skating at Battersea:
https://secretldn.com/best-london-christmas-trees/
I found this article along the side of the page...The Most Christmassy Bus Route In London...the Number 139.
A route that shows off the best of the street decorations:
https://secretldn.com/most-christmassy-bus-route-london/
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. (Need some music here...)
Oh, you guys are so not helping here š¤£ I'm ready to book a trip for next Christmas! And I'm not sure what's going to happen with my Egypt/Jordan trip in January of 2025, but I could easily sneak in a Christmas trip before that.
Well, I've started collating dates for this year's events that I want to see next year.
Rebecca, I think you sometimes follow A Lady in London blog? I've got this link saved from this past September for a walk to see Christmas lights.
And Mardee, I've got a trip to France in October, planning to come back home about Oct 30...then I started thinking maybe I could stay over but then...elections...and I need to vote. I am not sure how early absentee ballots can be sent out in Idaho as we are not advanced enough to do all vote by mail. I'll call in a couple of weeks and ask so I can plan around those dates.
Barbara, London and Alsace both sound like wonderful places to head that time of year. I might be able to talk my sister into a trip like that. She doesnāt travel as much as me, but is really interested in Alsace since my maternal grandfather came from Belfort.
Mustlovedogs, I know what you mean! Iām starting to fill up my future trip bookmarks with Christmas ideas in Europe!
Pam, isnāt that Saint Pancras Christmas book tree incredible!? I could look at that forever. youāre so organized about this. You need to just send me everything you find, lol!
Rebecca, I think itās time to start playing Christmas music! Thanks for all the links! I just love looking at those photos!
Pam, yes, I do follow A Lady In London! Thanks for that link!
Oooh! She even includes maps of the walking routes!
Great photos, too!
The little Christmas huts on the south bank look inviting!
Mardee, you're welcome! I just had to share those.
I would love to be in London for some of the Christmas music at the cathedrals and churches, as well as traditional carols.
Just to offer additional encouragementā¦. Iāve been lucky enough to be in London twice in December and I have to say I canāt imagine anywhere does Christmas like that city. I donāt just mean the lights which are everywhere and creative but the range of concerts, Christmas themed food, outside decorations on stores and townhouses, and an overall festive atmosphere. I highly recommend it!
This is so useful, thanks! š!
Iāll be in London the second week in December, so I will have a look at as many of these as I can!
Iāll definitely get the 139 š bus.
The Londonist, Lady in London, Timeout London, Secret London, London x London are all good resources to research about Christmas in London.
As previously Iāve noted in prior Iāve spent Christmas in London a number of times. Its brilliant. Never boring.
One of my favorite iPhone videos is of a Salvation Army band playing outside their building near Portobello Road. That and passing by a small church one afternoon and hearing a choir. Walked inside. Sat down and listened to their rehearsal. Beautiful rendition of Hark The Herald Angels.
A second fun unexpected Christmas discovery was a Santa Run in Victoria Park. Complete surprise. Walking in a light rain when I heard a young child yell, ā here they come.ā Turned around to see a mass of runners in Santa uniforms headed my way. Was totally bemused and laughed out loud as I stepped out of their way. Took out the iPhone and videoed them. Santa Runs are charity runs. Look for some possibly during your time frame.
Trust me nothing more amusing than walking into the Peopleās Park Tavern and seeing Santas lined up at the bar.
Lastly Mark Gatissās take on a Christmas Carol
at Alexandria Palace in 2021 was great fun. Especially since I rode home to the Richmond neighborhood with the actor Nicholas Farrell who played Scrooge. Remember thinking dang thats a long commute for him each evening. You leave the Palace, then catch a bus for a 20 minute ride to Finsbury Park. Exit. Wait for a Victoria line train. Exit at Victoria Station and then board a District Line train to The Quadrant in Richmond and from there to walk home. My trek was just as involved as the Richmond Premier Inn where I staying is a 25 minute walk from the Quadrant. Believe I walked into my room at nearly 1am.
So to any and all who have considered London at Christmas, donāt dawdle. GO!
The difference between Christmas Eve night ( hustle, bustle, cacophony) to Christmas Day ( quiet and unassuming without public transport) is noticeable and refreshing.
Oh gosh, Iād love to see the Santa Run! What a fun surprise! And then Santas at the bar, lol.
Long ago in a previous lifetime I did spend 2 Christmases in London. The pantomimes were fun when we finally figured out what was going on. Way before the internet!
I agree with hearing Christmas music too. Iād love to attend the Festival of Nine Lesson and Carols service at Kingās College but that is Christmas Eve so will just need to watch it on PBS, lol
https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/event/2023/festival-nine-lessons-and-carols
@SJ, we want a detailed TR!! We can all use that for planning for 2024!
Yes, sigh. Iāve just dived into Trisha Ashleyās various Christmas books for re-reads!
Unfortunately Pam, I am not as adventurous as most traveling solo women in this Forum. I would start talking to myself on the plane, and would drive myself crazy by the second day. Anyone whose been on Andreaās international travel zooms knows I like to talk.
Since my post-Thanksgiving trip to Israel was cancelled, my husband suggested we go to Williamsburg for a few days. We went there at Christmastime the first year we were married. That was a long time ago, and weāve always wanted to go back. Now you all have me thinking we need to go to London at Christmastime. Not sure when or if I can swing it, but it sure sounds like fun! Thanks, Mardee!
Mardee!!! DO IT! Let us live vicariously!
Pam "...as we are not advanced enough to do all vote by mail" <--- I'm DYING! š¤£ (We aren't either, here in MO š)
@ Barbara - "Anyone whose been on Andreaās international travel zooms knows I like to talk." You've got such a cute NY accent, lol!! I'm good on my own but there are times when I start talking to someone in Europe and I realize...uh oh...I'm overtalking!! Back away!! hahaha!!
@Carroll - When I lived in the SE I always wanted to do Williamsburg at Christmas! What a fun time! That immediately makes me think of pineapples for decoration. At some point in the distant past someone gave my Mom kind of a wreath type holder that had a big spike in the middle for a pineapple so you could sit it on a table with decorations around it.
@Hannah - Where I live in the Panhandle of Idaho we are less than 15 miles from Washington which has voted by mail for several years. All the news stations we get are from Spokane and you'd think with the exposure to a huge state who doesn't have issues with vote-by-mail that some of it would rub off...but no.
Rebecca, Oh, I'm sure the Christmas music and carols at the cathedrals would be so lovely! This is getting to more real every minute!
Claire, thank you because I needed some additional encouragement! š Seriously, you make it sound so wonderful!
S J, I hope you will - and I hope you will write a full trip report!!!
Claudia, so many great ideas! I want to see a Santa Run, too! And that was such a lovely comparison of the bustle of Christmas Eve and the peacefulness of Christmas Day. Thank you!
Pam, I agree about the Santa Run! And like you, I probably would not be there for Christmas. It's not something I would want as a solo trip, although maybe I could get a friend to come. Hmmmm, something to think about. My grandkids go to visit their dad's family in alternate years so I would be looking for something to do around Christmas anyway.
Barbara, that cracked me up! I also talk to myself a lot when I travel solo. But I'm such a fascinating conversationalist that I always keep myself entertained! š¤£š¤£š¤£
Carroll, you're welcome! Williamsburg is nice and I would think especially nice at Christmas. But I think London sounds even nicer!
Hannah, haha!! Oh, I will do it! The question is "when"!
Pam, I knew that Washington had vote-by-mail, and I believe that Oregon does, too. Do you think maybe the (ahem) demographics of Idaho might be a bit different that WA and OR? š Although Minnesota, which is a fairly progressive state, does not embrace voting by mail like I thought they would. It's certainly not as convenient as I would like. But I agree that it is important to vote in 2024!
Claudia, it always puts a smile on my face when you mention seeing that Santa Run!
Seeing Santas all lined up at the bar at a pub...priceless!
Okay, adding info about the Christmas Markets. Just got an email from Secret London and they list 17 Magical Christmas Markets In London To Visit In 2023 Oh, the gorgeousness of it all!!!
Iāve been to a few of the listed markets and will probably see a couple more later this year. That is, provided there is no volcanic eruption in Iceland that messes up international air travel.
you should also check out Youtube videos from the vlogger Hannah Ricketts, she REALLY likes Christmas and does many videos on what's going on in London. She went to the Harrods Christmas store the other day.
make sure you see Fortnum and Mason at night when the outside is illuminated.
I had mentioned previously that you should pop into any nice looking church you pass and they might be rehearsing for their Christmas concert.
Okay mardee. That link is just insanely good! Iām ready to go back right now š!
Mardee, I love the Christmas Markets in London article you posted!! Thanks! Oh yes, lovely!!
I was reading this article on the Visit England website......
Here are Christmas Markets all over England:
https://www.visitengland.com/best-christmas-markets-england
I must say, the Birmingham Christmas Market sounds wonderful!
"Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria. Expect a fine range of traditional gifts and products on its 180 stalls and get into the festive spirit while indulging in schnitzels, bratwursts, crepes, glĆ¼hwein and weissbeer."
jaimeelsabio, do you think that would affect the UK?
phred, great idea! And I will definitely check out the videos! I guess it's the next best thing to being there...
Mustlovedogs, Oh, I so know what you mean!
Rebecca, I might as well just move there so I can spend Christmas there every year, lol! Oh, I'm dying! Sadly, I think the earliest I will get there for Christmas is 2025.
@Mardee - it depends on how bad the eruption is. Flights were cancelled that flew the northern route to Europe in 2010 due to the Eyjafjallajƶkull eruption, including our flight to Rome. It was two weeks before we could fly to Rome and we had to fly out of Atlanta since that flight flew a more southerly route.
Volcanic ash and aircraft engines donāt play nicely together.
From Wikipedia: āAbout 20 countries closed their airspace to commercial jet traffic and it affected approximately 10 million travellers.ā
London Walks has a number of special Christmas walks through late November and December. Just go on their website and search for Christmas and they will pop up. Looks like some are adaptations of normal walks and some are totally unique to the season. I have not taken any but would love to do the Christmas tree walk!
agh @ jamielsabio, donāt say that! I am supposed to be heading to London Nov. 28!
If no eruptions cancel my flights, I will let yāall know how it goes with 3 friends and all of us in Santa hats! Seeing Buckingham Palace & Windsor Castle all decorated for Christmas; Christmas at Kew Gardens; Hyde Park Winter Wonderland; Westminster Abbey (and hopefully the Advent evensong); and the Christmas Carol panto at The Old Vic - among other Christmassy (and non-Christmassy) sights and shoppings. A week isnāt long enough!
TexasTravelMom!! I am glad the Santa hats are packed!
I love the London Walks seasonal or event walks! I did one the week before the Coronation in May walking the Coronation route and it was excellent! She pointed out a lot of things I did not know.
Oooh, good to know! I will see if I can find a place on the spreadsheet for that! š¤£
I headed to london in 9 days. 12 days of Christmas tour with Seymour travels. Liz boardman and Jeannie in london for 6 days. Then train to Bath for the rest 6 day . Then a couple of day trips . Oxford and Avebury and Christmas caroling . Only nine of us.
Yay
Kim
Kim, what an incredible trip! Can't wait to hear about it!
kim, sounds amazing! Looks like you get to London right after I leave.
Mardee- I am so much looking forward to this trip. Glad to see mark and Liz again. Plus our RS london guide in 2019 ā¦. Jeannie will be with us in london
Canāt wait to meet you in Oct 2025 in France
TTM- darnā¦ it would be great to meet up. We arrive in london Nov 26 thru Dec 2 leave for bath. Home on Dec 9
Kim
kim, I am there 29th arrival - 5th home. I may have been in Texas for 35 year, but I was born an Okie. :)
Much of my time isnāt my own, but we should stay in touch!
Kim, I'm looking forward to it!
I purposely extended my trip an extra 5 nights into November to see the Christmas lights and festivities in London. I am there now and it is so festive. And it gets dark very early...sun is setting shortly after 4, so it is easy to take it all in . So much fun!
This is my 3rd time but I have yet to actually be here over Christmas itself. On the list but this is the next best thing for those that can't come then since it starts early in November.
sun is setting shortly after 4
shortly before 4 in London - on the 19th of December it is 9 minutes before 4.
It gets dark quickly too. Happy London travels!
It gets dark quickly too.
Yes... All the easier to see the Christmas lights!
2 more nights left for viewing and London fun.
Oh Mardee, how you, and other posters are tempting everyone, especially me! If I didnāt have so many family, friends, and Church obligations already booked I would seriously look into hopping a last minute flight. Iām going to seriously limit our bookings next year and see if I can move our 2025 trip up a year.
In the meantime Iāll settle for our trip to Boston, with a day trip to Newport, and traveling into NYC for our Christmas decoration fix.
Mardee, we spent Christmas in London on the way to our Egypt trip! There was even a King Tut exhibit in London while we were there.
This was during the early days of Covid which we were ignorant about.
We used to take a trip at Christmas instead of buying gifts. Williamsburg was great, we often visited Charleston, we've done NY, but our daughter says our trip to London in Dec 2014 was her favorite. We got to see the Downtown Abbey Christmas special at Christmas! We went to the Christmas Service at Westminster Abbey on the 23rd(our daughter was quick to notice that we were sitting next to CS Lewis' memorial stone in the floor) and enjoyed the decorations in the shopping areas. But beware-the store windows have already been taken down on the 26th, so I didn't get to see some of the ones I was looking forward to seeing.
But beware-the store windows have already been taken down on the 26th, so I didn't get to see some of the ones I was looking forward to seeing.
The upside of this is that you get the pick of the best items in the sales if you're in Oxford Street or Regent Street on Boxing Day. It will be busy, but it might be a good time to pick up something from one of the fancier stores that you'd consider too expensive at full price.
I must say, the Birmingham Christmas Market sounds wonderful!
"Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest German Christmas
market outside of Germany or Austria. Expect a fine range of
traditional gifts and products on its 180 stalls and get into the
festive spirit while indulging in schnitzels, bratwursts, crepes,
glĆ¼hwein and weissbeer."
If German Christmas markets sounds wonderful, there are plenty of them in Germanyā¦
my experience of the Birmingham one, which I used to go to when I lived and worked nearby, is that it is overpriced and quite crowded as it is just down the centre of New Street and around the fountain in Victoria Square. Several of the stalls were identical, just placed around. The biggest stall was always a Haribo seller, and I enjoyed the pricey bratwurst and grilled potatoes.
Since it is an hour away by train now I don't go any longer.
My experience of German Christmas markets in London is that they seem to be run by one or a couple of large corporations. Maybe it's the same in Germany these days too? I used to walk past the one at Bankside every day and it's all a bit... staged. Still fun for a visit and I'm sure you'd find some tasty stuff.
My experience of German Christmas markets in London is that they seem
to be run by one or a couple of large corporations. Maybe it's the
same in Germany these days too?
No. AFAIK, most German christmas markets are run by the cities/towns.
If German Christmas markets sounds wonderful, there are plenty of them in Germanyā¦
Badger, I definitely plan on making my way through the Germany Christmas markets one year (along with Strasbourg). So many Christmas trips; so little time!!! I need to start planning even farther in the future than I do now! But I definitely want a London Christmas fix first!
Oh Mardee, how you, and other posters are tempting everyone, especially me! If I didnāt have so many family, friends, and Church obligations already booked I would seriously look into hopping a last minute flight. Iām going to seriously limit our bookings next year and see if I can move our 2025 trip up a year. In the meantime Iāll settle for our trip to Boston, with a day trip to Newport, and traveling into NYC for our Christmas decoration fix.
Barbara, I know what you mean! But NYC is another wonderful place at Christmas--what fun!
Mardee, we spent Christmas in London on the way to our Egypt trip! There was even a King Tut exhibit in London while we were there.
Suki, I will be going on an Egypt/Jordan trip in late January 2025. I wish it was earlier so I could combine it--that's a great idea!
