London in December around Christmas week?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are not a fan of soccer and shopping so it's mostly sightseeing and walking around the area- stops at The Bath, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Stonehenge, Harry Potter Studios, and other typical landmarks. If this is what we want to do, is it still worth going? Thinking of going around the 23-29. Christmas dinner at the hotel, I suppose? I heard that the Christmas decorations are amazing, are decorations still up till new year? I don't understand what people mean when they say it's not as cold as winter here, I checked the temperatures and it seems comparable to our weather here in DC, so what am I missing?

Bath and Stonehenge are some distance from London.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are not a fan of soccer and shopping so it's mostly sightseeing and walking around the area- stops at The Bath, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Stonehenge, Harry Potter Studios, and other typical landmarks. If this is what we want to do, is it still worth going? Thinking of going around the 23-29. Christmas dinner at the hotel, I suppose? I heard that the Christmas decorations are amazing, are decorations still up till new year? I don't understand what people mean when they say it's not as cold as winter here, I checked the temperatures and it seems comparable to our weather here in DC, so what am I missing?

Bath and Stonehenge are some distance from London.

I'd skip Stonehenge (unless you do go to Bath). You could try a day trip or overnighter to Cambridge or Oxford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friends went for Christmas last year and had a blast. They went to mass at Westminster.

There is no mass at Westminster Abbey as it is Church of England. Westminster Cathedral is Catholic where they have Mass.

Anglicans use the phrase mass even though it's a Protestant service as do some American Episcopalians.

But they dont have Transubstantiation during the service so to a Catholic it isn't "Mass."

-recovered Catholic

[Anonymous]

I think it's more likely the PP's friends went to the Catholic Westminster Cathedral. Westminster Abbey is probably tickets only invitations for Christmas Eve services. I went to services at St. Paul's and we had tickets courtesy of a friend who's involved in the church.

To another PP, London's weather is different from DC weather. It's more variable. It tends to be damper and moister in the winter. And highs are often only for a brief time while the rest of the day can be much cooler/colder. And much more likely to be very gray and overcast.

I also don't think London's decorations are that impressive at Christmas. Nice, yes, but it's not a standout from what I remember. There's nothing like the Christmas markets of continental Europe, although they try. There are Christmas concerts and events. The country is close to dead for the 25-26, so you're losing two days of your trip (depending on how you look at it but options are still very limited). There's much more going on over Christmas and the 26th in Paris by contrast, making it easier in a way.

If you really wanted a christmassy atmosphere I'd suggest looking at France or Germany or Austria. Especially Germany and Austria. The markets and street decorations are festive and fun and worth travelling for. But also keep in mind that many if not most of the markets close on the 24th and only a few run into the 25th and afterwards, although there are exceptions and more and more each year.

[Anonymous]

We went to London the week before Christmas, and it was gray and damp and chilly, but not really cold. I wore a trench coat and light gloves and was comfortable. It does get dark very early. We went to a candlelight Christmas music concert at Westminster Abbey (no tickets needed) and it was one of the most memorable travel experiences ever for me.

I agree with pp that I was not impressed with the Christmas decorations. In fact, I really don't remember seeing any other than at the Department stores. Based upon what others are saying about everything being closed on Christmas, I think I would do it if I could rent an apartment where I could make Christmas dinner myself (or at least carry out from Harrods or some such).

We got cheap last minute theater tickets, but you'd have to check into the schedules for Christmas week itself.