Ever been to London or the UK around Christmas?

[Anonymous]

Wondering if its as magical as I envision. Thinking it would be lovely to see the decorations, experience mass, etc. Anyone ever btdt?

[Anonymous]

It is nice, I am not sure I would describe it as "magical". Germany does nicer Christmas markets. You could do both very easily.

[Anonymous]

I have lived in London over the holiday season. It is verrrrrrrrrrrrrry crowded, like wall to wall people walking on the sidewalks on Bond Street and the shopping district. Beautiful, but not worth the crowds IMHO. It is kind of a touristy thing to do. If this is your style? Well, more power to you, I suppose. . .

[Anonymous]

I personally just found it cold, and a lot of things were closed on the days surrounding Christmas (e.g., eating in a restaurant on Christmas Eve was possible, but I was the only one there and the menu was limited). New Years Eve in London was neat -- extremely crowded, but in a good way. I think you could have a good experience staying at a B&B or hotel that you know will cater to those celebrating away from home, so that you could go out and look at whatever lights/shopping you hope to see, and then come back indoors to someplace festive. Be aware that the further you are from a big city, the less likely it is that anything will be open during the holiday week.

[Anonymous]

Harrod's is a mad house during the holidays. The 26th is Boxing Day, right?

[Anonymous]

Second Germany, also suggest Belgium. Fantastic. London also great but oh so crowded!

[Anonymous]

Yes, amazing...we stayed in the countryside (Bath) when I was 12....I still have vivid and wonderful memories...

[Anonymous]

Love the Christmas market in Hyde Park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Harrod's is a mad house during the holidays. The 26th is Boxing Day, right?

Ugh, Harrods is a mad house any day.

[Anonymous]

I just remember it being cold, dark, and rainy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally just found it cold, and a lot of things were closed on the days surrounding Christmas (e.g., eating in a restaurant on Christmas Eve was possible, but I was the only one there and the menu was limited). New Years Eve in London was neat -- extremely crowded, but in a good way. I think you could have a good experience staying at a B&B or hotel that you know will cater to those celebrating away from home, so that you could go out and look at whatever lights/shopping you hope to see, and then come back indoors to someplace festive. Be aware that the further you are from a big city, the less likely it is that anything will be open during the holiday week.

We went about 10 years ago for Christmas and I remember this, too. Just something to be aware of if you only have a few days there. Other than that, it was fun, but crowded and cold. I wouldn't call it magical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Harrod's is a mad house during the holidays. The 26th is Boxing Day, right?

Ugh, Harrods is a mad house any day.

Agree.

[Anonymous]

Yes, keep in mind it will be VERY dark. It gets dark very, very early around that time of year, like around 2 pm if I am remembering correctly. And it does not get light out in the morning until about 10 a.m. Despite the warming effects of the Jet Stream, it really is that much more north of where we are in the US, comparatively.

[Anonymous]

The cold is a very damp cold, too. Not dry like it is here. You feel it in your bones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, keep in mind it will be VERY dark. It gets dark very, very early around that time of year, like around 2 pm if I am remembering correctly. And it does not get light out in the morning until about 10 a.m. Despite the warming effects of the Jet Stream, it really is that much more north of where we are in the US, comparatively.

I was there last year and recall it getting dark closer to 4ish vs 2.