England at Christmas

There won't be much open on Christmas. Most things will start to shut down after lunch or mid afternoon on Christmas Eve. Because Christmas this year is on a Sunday, Boxing Day will likely be extra quiet. Many places will observe Boxing Day on Tuesday. London may well be more perky, especially in certain neighborhoods, than Bath. Bath may (never been there for Christmas but I have in the Cotswolds - many times) be more charming - certainly the Cotswolds would be. If you are speaking about Christmas in 2011 - a mere 68 days away - you need to have organized the places you will be staying.

Stay in London. Mass transit will be closed but the city is a wonderful walking adventure on Christmas Day. I've spent 4 Christmases in London and found something new and wonderful each visit. Get up extra early Christmas morning and walk to the Serpentine in Hyde Park to watch the Peter Pan Cup Race. It's over in a minute but meeting and talking with the people who participate, I found it great fun. Christmas traditions to enjoy are: a panto, always fun. http://woodlands junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/pantomines.html. Check out the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square and visit the adjacent St. Martin's in the Field to hear carolers, Christmas lights on Oxford street, window displays at Harrod's and Fortum and Mason. If you stay in a hotel book their Christmas dinner. If not, they day you arrive walk around town and look for establishments that are taking reservations. Might be a pub, might be a restaurant. Pubs are my favorite. One of my most memorable moments was a Christmas Eve midnight mass at St. Paul's Cathedral. It had been cold the entire day but no snow. Mass ended, the choir was singing, the church bells were peeling and as we exited an oh so light snowfall began. Magical. Lastly, take a look on line now at Timeout Magazine. Will talk about ice skating rinks, carolers, Christmas Markets, theatre, etc. Best resource for things to do and see in London. The viewlondon website also provides insightful information. GREAT after Christmas sales BTW. Lastly, remember the days will be shorter so it will start getting darker around 4-5pm. Have a wonderful trip.

I've spent 6 months planning my family's upcoming trip... and Christmas weekend has been the biggest uncertainty. Here are some ideas if you're in London on Christmas Day: There are walking tours – even on Christmas Day (book ahead?): http://www.walks.com/London_Walks_Home/SPECIAL_WALKS/default.aspx You can take a cruise on the Thames and enjoy a Christmas Day Lunch (though a bit pricey): http://www.citycruises.com/xmas.htm This website seems to list restaurants open on Christmas Day: http://www.londoneats.com/news/christmasdinner.asp Peter Pan Cup at the Serpentine (as previously mentioned): http://www.serpentineswimmingclub.com/our-special-races/ Church services at St. Paul's: http://www.stpauls.co.uk/Worship-Music/Music-Programme Services at Westminster Abbey: http://www.westminster-abbey.org/whats-on/christmas-at-westminster-abbey Previous posters have suggested: watch the Queen's annual Christmas message on the BBC at 15:00 (if you miss it, you can watch it later online). Christmas Eve - Royal Albert Hall Carols by Candlelight: http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/default/2011-24-12-1900/24049.aspx The London Eye is open on Christmas Eve. The London Tower Ice Rink – open every day except Christmas: http://www.toweroflondonicerink.com/index.aspx This website may list a few more Holiday Events: http://golondon.about.com/od/christmasinlondon/ss/Christmas-In-London.htm Or - take the Eurostar to Paris for the day on Boxing Day (Monday) - I've been assured that Paris is in full swing on December 26.
Enjoy!

Just be aware and fully prepared that almost everything is shut down on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Including transit. Most restaurants too and those that are open may be full or fully reserved. So eating and getting to the few open restaurants is challenging. But that time of year can be really nice in London and if you stay somewhere with lots of activity or within easy walking of things, you can spend a couple quiet days just strolling around quiet London streets.

Adding to my previous post and from recent experience, London is a very diverse city and you will find in neighborhoods like Bayswater that non christian owned premises will be open. Simply another day on the calendar and the proprietors are aware they'll make money by remaining open for the tourist trade. Had the best coffee and pastry in a small hole in the wall bakery there one Christmas morning after strolling through and around Hyde Park to see the Londoner's out and about after opening presents. Personally, I find Christmas day one of the best days to people watch, enjoying the many fine parks, strolling around the diverse neighborhoods and seeing London for London not for the tourist sites. Harrod's will be closed so no after Christmas sale but London's economy isn't at it's best and I'll surmise that even on Boxing day many stores will open.

I have spent two Christmases in the Windsor and Harrogate areas. Tops on my list during the holiday season is catching a Pantomime or Panto. These live theatre offerings can be found in virtually every city. They generally present a fairy tale story. When my English fiance said we were seeing Cinderella I thought he was nuts! But I'm hooked. Maybe tourists don't generally attend I've not met any other Americans who have been to one. The show is perfect for the entire family--all ages. While the fairytale story appeals to the kids, the show always includes references to current events, politics, and the like which adults will enjoy. Male actors portraying females (i.e., Cinderella's step-sisters) is fairly common. At intermission, kids can enjoy candy and ice cream while adults can savor a glass or wine. At the end of the show, the entire audience joins in to sing a song by 'following the bouncing ball' with the words projected on the screen. Not only a good show, but a good bit of British culture. Just google Christmas Pantomimes and you will see the shows that are scheduled. Hope you manage to catch one. You won't regret an evening with the 'local folk!"

I'd have to say stay in London, at least over the Christmas period. The rest of the country can be VERY quiet! Everything closes. And definitely go to a pantomime!
Hope you have lots of fun.