I would like to spend about 10 days in England during the Christmas season. I would like to spend part of the time in London and maybe one other location. What other locations are recommended for a place with a traditional Christmas feel? I am thinking lights, decorations, caroling, ice skating, church concerts, christmas markets, maybe a bonfire somewhere. Would you recommend a small town? Another city? I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!!
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Are you planning to stay through New Years? If so, head to Edinburgh or some other part of Scotland to bring in the New Year. It's called Hogmanay and is a big party. You can go to the big party in Edinburgh or find a smaller one in a smaller village. Here's a link for Castle stays. Or you can look for specials in hotels like this one or this one or here. Here's a site that promises more. Also, many small towns, like Strathpeffer probably have parties. It's not up on the Pavilion site yet for 2015, but they probably have something. I went to a Ceilidh there a few years back. You could email them and ask. Also, you could post on TripAdvisor for specific towns and ask for advice.
Pam
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32747 posts
Be careful of expecting to use public transport from Christmas Eve through Boxing Day. The trains shut down early on the 24th, and almost all do not run either the 25th or the 26th, and there is likely to be engineering work between then and New Years Day. Expect a much lighter service on New Years Day on some lines.
The tube will be shut down on Christmas Day.
Virtually no attractions will be open on the 25th and only some on the 26th.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Every town and village will have Christmas lights and church services. You will not come across much carolling apart from in church and at London's railway stations and this is on an ad hoc basis. The shopping streets in London are decorated from late November and Selfridges Christmas shop opens something like August.
Birmingham has one of the largest Christmas markets outside of London but is not a tourist hotspot. The Germans do these better than we do.
We don't do bonfires at Christmas as it's too cold and wet - Bonfire Night is 5 November. Ice skating is major cities only to my knowledge. Sorry, but I think American cities do Christmas better than we do.
Nigel's point re transport is crucial as to where you go. Scotland is good for new year. They focus less on Christmas. It is difficult to advise on a location without knowing your interests. The smaller the place generally, the more it will close down for Christmas so you maybe better off sticking to a larger place. We don't often get snow at Christmas so this should hopefully not be an issue. We don't handle snow well here - half an inch and the country is in lock down!!
Hotels and apartment rentals tend to significantly increase their rates at Christmas and new year but you are looking in plenty of time.