Travel Tips for England

For my second trip to England I chose Christmas last year, and joined friends who had been living in Scotland since August. We met in London and drove our rented car to our "base" in Beachamwell, Norfolk, a tiny village * inaccessible by public transportation, which made renting a car essential. It gave us the flexibility we needed and made it possible for us to stay "off the beaten path" in this beautiful, very tiny village. Also, having the car allowed us to move around freely when nearly everything shut down on Christmas Day and Boxing Day (Dec. 26).

A couple tips: Start the day early! Remember the sun does down early in the winter in England just like it does everywhere else. If you want to do outdoor sightseeing you have to start early in the day. Save indoor activities for the evening, if possible.

When spending December in England, prepare for rain * lots of it. And never leave your lodging without an unbrella. We had six total hours of sun during our trip, most of that concentrated into Christmas Eve morning. Rain, mist and fog were our constant companions---you got used to it, but it can limit activities. A planned Boxing Day hike around Beachamwell and surrounding villages turned into a short, damp stroll around the village. We high-tailed it back to our cottage and finished our "walk" in the car!

Don't assume you will be doing the same sorts of sightseeing activities when visiting during major holidays. Things can and do shut down * museums, attractions, transportation, just to name a few. Be prepared for sharply curtailed hours, if not complete closures. A planned trip to Cadbury World (a chocolate-lovers paradise) was canceled because their holiday hours did not coincide with ours. It goes without saying to check openings ahead of time to prevent wasted trips and disappointments.

Plan on attending activities specific to the holiday. For us that meant Christmas Eve Service at King's College at Cambridge University. The internationally broadcast service is free and open to the public, but come early. We joined the queue at 9:30 a.m. for the 3:00 p.m. service. Some stood in line much longer * for the really good seats in the choir of the Chapel the line started the night before. We never knew standing in line for hours could be so enjoyable, largely due to the unexpectedly sunny morning, the festive atmosphere, a good book and frequent breaks to shop along King's Parade and warm up. Every major church and cathedral welcomes visitors during holiday services and concerts. Just remember, you're attending church, not sightseeing. Arrive early or stay after the service or concert if you want to "play the tourist."

Many castles and country homes open for tours may be decorated for the holidays, and have special holiday-oriented programs. Check ahead of time to see where there may be special lunches or dinners, concerts or events. We visited medieval Warwick Castle and were charmed by the holiday atmosphere. Most of the things we found out were common sense. Traveling during the holidays isn't for everyone, and can have it's drawbacks, but I'd go again in a heartbeat!

Thanks for letting me connect with you. I love your show and rarely miss it.

By the way you've saved me money, too! I purchased my NWA ticket through Cut-Rate Travel, a consolidator you mentioned on a show early in 1998. It saved me big bucks! The best airfare quoted to me for this trip had been well over $800 dollars, two quotes were over $1100! Buying my ticket through Cut-Rate I was able to travel for the same price as my first trip almost four years earlier---just over $500. What a deal! Thanks!

-Bobbie

 

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