# Christmas in London? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 24, 2003, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-in-london/177200 "2003-05-24T07:30:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2003, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-in-london/177200/1 "2003-05-24T07:30:17Z")
Ok, so my plans to travel this summer fell completely through, and barring a miracle, it isn’t going to happen. But I have found a good deal to spend Christmas in London… is that a horrible idea? Is it absolutely miserable over there that time of year, or could it be fun? If I go, what should I see/do? Any suggestions? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2003, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-in-london/177200/2 "2003-05-24T12:57:21Z")
Christmas in London is delightful, a very fun and festive time indeed. You can do most if not all of the things you had originally planned. However, on the actual holiday itself (and perhaps Boxing Day as well) public transportation (the Tube, buses etc) may well be limited, and open restaurants, museums and suchlike might be harder to find. With a bit of planning ahead you will be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Washte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Washte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washte)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2003, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-in-london/177200/3 "2003-05-24T14:31:10Z")
Christmas in England is magical. It feels quite Dickensian at times. Just be prepared for millions of shoppers and closing days that are odd. Have you thought about going outside London? So many wonderful places 🙂 Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Doris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@Sir\_Doris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Doris)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-in-london/177200/4 "2003-05-24T15:07:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Washte \* > \*\*Christmas in England is magical. It feels quite Dickensian at times. > \*\* Especially the outdoor ice rink at Somerset House, I think. Add to that some fantastic churches for Carol Concerts and midnight mass. Take in a pantomime for a very British Christmas experience. The Geffrye Museum does a special “Christmas past” exhibition, which I have intended to visit but haven’t gotten round to it. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-in-london/177200/5 "2003-05-24T16:02:51Z")
To IMHO! ---
**Author:** ![irishbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishbird)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2003, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-in-london/177200/6 "2003-05-24T20:28:34Z")
Christmas in London? It’ll be cold and probably rain all the time, the shops will have queues that you just won’t join unless you absolutely HAVE to. Children are pushed through the crowds in their buggies, screaming and tired of clearing the way through grim crowds. Restaurants will be booked up well in advance and you may encounter noisy “office parties” if you don’t choose wisely. That’s the downside. Best way to enjoy Christmas here is to get all of your shopping done early so that when you start to enjoy the nightlife and parties, you can stay in bed for the best part of the next day, grab some food and start all over again - thus avoiding all of the above…🙂 ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2003, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-in-london/177200/7 "2003-05-24T20:55:22Z")
True freedom at Christmas in England is not having to shop, just go out and debauch, and London is an extremely fine place to do it. ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-in-london/177200/8 "2003-05-25T00:29:34Z")
and of course let us Londopers by you lots of drinks and christmas pudding…