Free and inexpensive things to do in December

Bury St. Edmunds? In the summer there's a good walking tour of the town, organized by the tourist office. I have no idea whether there's any hope of that in December.

If you're unlucky with the weather, you might head for Cambridge, where you're more likely to be able to occupy yourself indoors. The Fitzwilliam museum is really good, and I think it's a museum that only requests a donation. The train to Cambridge would not be free, of course.

I'm confused about how much time you have given that you mention that your son has school during the day (is that every day of the week?), you're there for a weekend (is that just Saturday and Sunday?), and the date you mention is a Sunday rather than a Saturday. Are you looking for something to do with your son just on Sunday, December 2?

The train from BSE to Edinburgh takes almost 6 hours one way, so it's not a reasonable day-trip. The lowest price for a RT ticket on December 2 is currently over 124 pounds. It can go higher.

Edited to add: Sorry that I forgot to give you the link to the UK rail website: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

I am arriving on Sunday the second and leaving on Monday the 10th. My son has school on base Monday-Friday.

Aah, I see. In that case you could get to Scotland if you're willing to pony up the money for the train fare. But the weather will probably be milder if you stay south, and there's lots to do down in England. Pick up a comprehensive guidebook to England from your local library and start reading the sections on areas around Bury St. Edmunds.

I spent a few nights in Norwich in August 2017 and really liked the city. It has lots of historic architecture and a good art museum out on the university campus. I day-tripped from Norwich to Bury St Edmunds, so I know you could do the trip in reverse.

While I was staying in Cambridge this year, I took side trips to Saffron Walden and Ely. SW is a picturesque small town. Ely is known more for its cathedral.

Bury is an old industrial town 200 miles north of London and isn’t very picturesque. Bury St Edmunds is, however, a nice place in Suffolk. (If you ask for a rail ticket to Bury, you will end up miles out of your way, so please don’t abbreviate place names!).

Scotland will be colder than Suffolk by a few degrees and probably wetter, but it’s just a matter of having the right clothes.

In the BSE area, there is Norwich, Cambridge, Lavenham, Long Melford, walks in Thetford Forest, IWM Duxford, the coast and a day trip to London to keep you occupied. Many English museums have free entry.

You don’t say what your interests are to better advise.

He and I thought about going to Scotland but will it be too cold?

What is "too cold"? If you're from a tropical/subtropical climate, 55ºF could be too cold!

@Continental Thanks for thinking of us cold weather wimps. I'm already had enough of winter- 42 at 8 AM in October just doesn't do it for me!

I enjoy museums. Beautiful landscapes. Castles. Alcohol. 😉
Beautiful and interesting architecture. Lol.... no I'm from the Midwest in USA soon no 55 won't be too cold. It will be just perfect. I hope to be able to visit some markets, & off the beaten path finds. Of course I do want to see Big Ben I hear it's under construction but that's ok. I have no desire to see the changing of the guard or Buckingham palace. I do want to visit Westminster Abby. Will Christmas decorations be out already? I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas decorations and could spend a lot of time looking at them.

Can you clarify where you are going -Bury or Bury St Edmunds????

Logically if your son is in Suffolk somewhere, Bury St Edmunds might make sense. But did say Bury, the northern town. Confusion reigns.

Which did you mean, where you will be staying?

Christmas decorations in London will definitely be up.

As our U.K. posters have asked PLEASE clarify where you will be staying. That way all of us can offer proper useful suggestions of what to see and where.

I went to the Winchester and Bath Christmas markets last year in late November. Both were well done with decent quality, juried level crafts and goods. Winchester’s is concentrated around the cathedral and is fairly compact. Bath’s is more sprawling around the town. If you like markets of that type, I recommend them. Bath’s had live music acts as well (guitarists, soloists)

Im.sorry. I did not realize there were 2 Bury.
I will be staying at Bury St Edmunds.

Mike, there are more than 2 "Bury" in England:

• Bury, Cambridgeshire
• Bury, Greater Manchester (formerly in Lancashire)
• Bury, Somerset, a hamlet
• Bury, West Sussex, a village and civil parish
• Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

The extra bits on the end are important! In conversation, in the area, most people will just say "Bury", out of context you have to use the full name.
Same with Stratford upon Avon, Aix en Provence, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and hundreds more. Many posters on this forum shorten names and cause ambiguity.

@Continental Thanks for thinking of us cold weather wimps. I'm already
had enough of winter- 42 at 8 AM in October just doesn't do it for me!

In all fairness, I want to avoid weather that is "too hot" meaning anything over 85º! I hate the heat. Summer is finally over so I'm loving the weather now. It was in the low 40s this morning and that crisp, cool air felt invigorating.

So when someone says he/she wants to avoid weather that is too cold or too hot, it's a matter of perspective.

Bury St Edmunds has a beautiful small theatre that is one of only two Georgian theatres in Britain that are still being used (I think I have my facts right). Anyway, it’s a beautiful building.

Can I urge you to go to see the pantomime there this Christmas. Pantos are a very specifically British spectacle full of obscure traditions, and the Bury St Ed’s one is always super-charming: no big TV stars, lots of charm and joy and always a real pleasure. https://www.theatreroyal.org/shows/sleeping-beauty/

It’s not free but at around £10-£20 for tickets it’s cheaper than London.

London will be very Christmassy. The lights go on in November. Regents Street & Carnaby Street are usually particularly lovely: try riding on top of a regular London bus too.

Okay now we’re talking.

First having spent 2 years in Kearney, NE and a few Christmases in London, December temps will be something a Midwesterner can easily handle. Dress in layers. Pubs can get toasty when you are enjoying a pint or two.

Time wise make note of opening times and make an effort to be there early. Last Fall visited Westminister Abbey on November 30. My friend and I arrived at 9:30. No line and spent 2.5 hours inside as there weren’t hordes of visitors. We could take our time.
Was my 4th visit there but the first time I really enjoyed it due to the lack of people.

I believe most museums open at 10am but do a Google search to confirm.

Get a refundable Oyster Card to help you navigate the city with your limited amount of time.

Remember it will start to get dark around 3:30-4pm in the afternoon.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Extremely gorgeous at night when all lit up.

Most of the Museums are free.

I highly recommend the Museum of London for first time visitors. Provides intel on how London evolved. There’s a Pret a Manager on the corner of where you can grab a nosh and coffee pre or post your visit.

Pret a Mangers are plentiful and great spots to stop for a meal. Then again so are pubs!

Cheers

Hi mikesmomto2,
You will enjoy your visit to Bury St. Edmunds and surrounding areas. There are lots of interesting places to visit relatively close by. I am a recently retired teacher and my last duty assignment was at the AF base in Suffolk. I was there for five years and really enjoyed exploring the area. It will help if you have a car to get to most of the places that I will suggest.

Bury St Edmunds is quite a pretty town, the old area is very walkable and not very big. Explore the Abbey ruins and gardens and the Cathedral. You mentioned markets, although not huge, Bury St Edmunds has outdoor markets every Wednesday and Saturday held in the Buttermarket and Cornhill. You might want to stop for a drink or a photo at The Nutshell, Britain's smallest pub.

When I lived in the area here are the places that I always took my visitors. These are all within a 50 mile drive from BSE. I liked to visit and tour historical estates.

1) Lavenham - a beautiful town with crooked half-timbered frame houses. Also when there ask about the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star house. The writer of the poem was from Lavenham and it is legend that the houses there also inspired the nursery rhyme, "there was a crooked man..." The Lavenham Guildhall is a National Trust property and can be visited.

2) the Queen's Private Estate at Sandringham - this is a favorite. Make sure to visit the little chapel where the Queen and her family go for services each Christmas.

3). Ely and its beautiful cathedral standing on a hill overlooking the fens. Again, the central touristy area is not very big and easily walkable. When in the Lady Chapel, you will see how all the statues had their heads cut off. Make sure you visit its riverfront if you go.

4) Cambridge - lots to see and do. Check any guidebook. Lots of fun exploring the city streets and colleges. The central area is very compact and also flat and easily walkable. Also an open air market right in middle of town. The Fitzwilliam museum there is excellent. Right outside of Cambridge is a National Trust property called Anglesey Abbey and Gardens. The estate is attractive. If you or your son have an interest in aviation or militray history right outside of Cambridge is the Imperial War Museum at Duxford on a historical airfield. All dedicated to aviation.

5) Oxburgh Hall - another neat National Trust estate property with the mansion surrounded by a moat.

6) Wimpole Estate and Farm, another great National Trust property. This will be all decorated for Christmas and there will be people in period outfits.

7) New Market - not too far from BSE. This is the cradle of thouroughbred horse racing in Britain. I have no particular interest in horse racing but it is very interesting to see the jockeys taking their million dollar horses out for exercise right in the middle of town. There is a small museum in town and a National Stud Farm.

If you are interested in antiques and I am sure they will also have lots of Chrismas decorations and items for sale take a look at Risby Barn and Antique Center in BUry St Edmunds. Also for a good breakfast, lunch or tea and if you happen to be close to the base try La Hogue Farm Shop near Red Lodge or Elveden Estate Shops. Both will also have their Christmas markets for your dates. Really good desserts! Try the scones, excellent!

Weather will probably be cool/cold, overcast and damp. Showers, but they don't last all day. Some snow is possible. Dress in layers and take a raincoat, maybe boots. Daylight hours will be short.

If you need any further info send me a pm. Glad to help.

British Library is free and has amazing historical books and papers on display- I actually got to see letters written from Mary Queen of Scots, William Shakespeare, tiny books, Bibles, musical compositions, all beautiful and free! Enjoy!

Happy Travels✨💫

"Newmarket" is one word.

Also, I wouldn't use the abbreviation "BSE" in Britain - we don't abbreviate the names of towns like that, and that particular TLA has a very nasty meaning in britain.

Sorry, Philip. I should have flagged that as an abbreviation of convenience, not something that would ever be used in conversation. I do tend to make up my own when I'm repeating long names in a post.

Google global greeters. It’s a worldwide network of volunteers who love their local city and offer free guided walks. You can ask for specifics — for instance, for my upcoming Vienna trip, I asked to see places not commonly visited by tourists. You need to register at least two weeks in advance in order for them to try to find someone who is free on the date(s) you indicate. I looked at the UK site and saw that this service is offered in London and a few other cities. Didn’t look at Scotland.