Mind you if you think Christmas is crap it is but nothing compared to the horror that is new year in London.

Flanner says
" think Mucky is making the absurd assumption that non-Christians in Britain don't celebrate Christmas"

Lol what kind of dull statement is that lol

They don't lol

But I will check the next carol service just in case a few moslems have snook in for a singalong...lol

:-)

They may not attend church, but many non-Christians celebrate the secular aspects of Christmas these days. Even those who follow other faiths.

Has anyone taken the Charles Dickens Christmas Day walk and know where it ends. With transportation lacking want to know how far from
my hotel I will end up. Also hoping
to find some restaurants open.

mediaqueen - IME, the London Walks always end at the same spot where the walk starts. Their walk usually covers 3-4 miles.

THANKS

Are London Banks open Christmas Eve

Cash machines will be available all over the break (as long as the cash in them lasts). If you want to change money over a counter, go to a post office in the morning.

Are London Banks open Christmas Eve>>>>

Yes - but they tend to close a bit earlier.

We (my husband, our 15 month old son, and myself) are also considering London for Christmas as we have to be in London on the 22nd anyway. I saw that someone mentioned a hotel in Stratford upon Avon had a package of 3 nights. Has anyone seen or heard of a hotel in London that might be offering something like this? Are all (or most) of the hotel Christmas Day meals priced from 100 GBP per person and higher? (I'd really like a nice turkey Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.) :-)

We are also considering either Glasgow or Edinburgh for Christmas. Any thoughts about where would be nicer to spend Christmas - London, Glasgow, or Edinburgh? (We've been to London once, but never to Glasgow or Edinburgh.)

Thanks for any advice you may have.

I'm in an optimistic mood today. It's a safe assumption yours is not the only flight coming in Christmas morning and I assume there's a possibility some taxi drivers might want to work Christmas morning when they can get some runs in and out of Heathrow without the usual hellish traffic.

So, why not try www.londonblackcabs.co.uk? Okay, it will be more than a car service but about the same or a just bit more than any transport which charges per person. Worth a shot if you haven't tried it already. And, if all else fails, contact Heathrow customer services and see what they advise. (This last sentence was difficult to write with a straight face.)

For accommodation, you might see what the Radisson Edwardian Hotel group has on offer for packages. Most of their hotels are centrally located and have decent dining rooms.

I predict you aren't going to starve and you won't even have to get out in bad weather if your hotel has food service.

(BTW, WOW, Browns is 220 quid for Christmas lunch!!! I'm going to have to check that out on their web site--foie gras of fired City bank directors?)

The Brown's Christmas lunch had better include those nice jewelry crackers from Fortnum's.

>>foie gras of fired City bank directors?<<

Nah, it would taste a bit too bitter. And alcoholic.

Thanks so much for all your help and input. Our plans are finally set, we're staying at the Radisson Mayfair, and since we're all excellent walkers, we should be able to hoof it to the theaters and most other areas. I've found a car hire for 50 pounds for the four of us from the airport to our hotel, and even found a chain of restaurants open on Chrismas Day (Biagio). Yes they have a set menu, but for thirty pounds, its much more reasonable than the hotel dining rooms. We'll plan on doing lots of walking Chrismas day, seeing parks, just walking around, I'm sure we'll have a lovely time. Any other suggestions most appreciated, we can't wait! Again thanks to all.
CheriKM

Apologies if someone else has already mentioned these, but I stumbled upon a couple of great things currently taking place in London until the New Year:

Firstly, there is a Christmas fair and German-style Christmas Market taking place in Hyde Park with childrens rides, market stalls, German food and drink vendors, and even has a skating rink (http://www.christmas-markets.org/eng...k/location.php)

Also, Covent Garden has some great free performances by musicians, singers, jugglers etc, and some great decorations (http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/4145123).

Hope this helps someone.

Andy.

Thanks for the post Andy! We will be there in 2 weeks and was hoping to visit a christmas market. I read somewhere that christmas markets only run up to christmas eve. This one in Hyde Park will run up to Jan 6th. good stuff!

I went to London last Christmas.

We planned our arrival for 12/26 and the train was running from Heathrow.

There was tube service and we were able to find places to eat on a walk in basis on 12/26.

We had a great week! I would go at that time again!

SUMMAGOLD

Another market worth visiting is Borough Market (near London Bridge station). The market takes place every Friday and Saturday and has types of food from around the world which you can taste or buy. Again, the market is quite festive at this time of year. The market also has a couple of busy but friendly pubs which are worth visiting if you require refreshments (which as I work nearby have been known to do occasionally!).

Bring warm coats/jumpers as it's freezing here (by our standards anyway).

Enjoy your stay!

Regards

Andy.

i agree 100% with CW. xmas in london is total rubbish unless you like the 'special' xmas menu that the pubs serve - £40 for microwaved frozen turkey and some silly hats that we can't seem to stop laughing at.

why are the greeks rioting? at least they don't have to live our lives. the world doesn't make sense...we are the ones who should be rioting.

It's being so cheerful as keeps walkinaround going...