The family is starting to think about spending Xmas in a vacation rental cottage somewhere in England--the vicinity of Oxford or Cambridge, Cotworld, Stratford-Upon-Avon come to mind. It is intended to be a relaxed family get-away--this would be our first Xmas in England--we have visited several times mainly in summer and fall.

Apart from the weather should one be thinking of any other dampner or considerations?

Thanks

The days are short. Light from 8:30 to 4:00pm.

Find pubs with a good fireplace.

Make sure you allow yourself time to stock up before Christmas Eve. Most people retreat into the bosom of the family for several days. Shops and many services shut for a good 36 hours, possibly longer in the country.

Try to find somewhere that's within walking distance of at least some services - especially that all-important pub (and check their Christmas opening hours - village pubs may be more likely to open, but don't take anything for granted).

These days in England you will find shops open on Christmas day in towns and cities, although probably only for the morning. One tradition you might consider in your chosen location is going to a Christmas eve Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. I suspect the big event in Kings Cambridge is (perhaps?) college members only, but towns and villages might have something.

It's very traditional, beautiful and sets the mood for Christmas, even if you're not religious.

Hi Letha!

We had another discussion recently with Brenda, who is planning a family trip to the Cotswolds next year. Some of this isn't relevant to you, but I thought you might get some good ideas.

Keep us posted on your plans--

Kathy

Thank You everyone. Yes getting food on Xmas day was a concern but if all else fails, it sounds like larger hotels, (not our first choice), does serve Xmas faire. Actually looking at our schedules, it looks like we may end up having to fly on or the day after Xmas so we may end up with plane food for Xmas but what the heck.....

Kathy,

Since I value your judgement and we are a family of three like you, I was checking out Michaelmas Cottage in Brockley that you reviewed. But it looks like this place has been taken off? I tried your link and several other agencies that came up with this cottage but they all reach a dead end. What a pity...I checked out the Brenda discussion too--thanks for the pointers. Will keep looking...

To pick-up on a previous comment....when planning a mid-winter trip to England, don't neglect to consider the (limited) hours of daylight. Will impact sightseeing, perhaps driving, etc. On Christmas Day 2008, for example, in London, the sun rises at just after 8 a.m. and sets just before 4 p.m.

Some would say that short daylight hours provide more pub-and-fireplace hours though.

Letha,

If you would consider a B&B instead of an outright rental, check out my review (link below) of the Leasow House, where we've stayed on several occasions. It is in the country right outside of Broadway, on the road toward Winchcombe. The couple that run it - the Meekings - are absolutely delightful.

Ann

Along the same line of questions. Are the theaters and opera houses open between Dec 25 and Jan 1?

Opera Darren, I can only answer the question about Christmas opening times about my local area but I would guess it is similar throughout the country.

This year, in Stratford upon Avon, at least one theatre has something on, every day, between 26th December and Jan 1st (inclusive), except for the 28th (which is a Sunday).

We've spent a couple of Xmas/New Years in London and never had a problem finding something to see. Most memorable was New Years Eve at the Nutcracker - after queuing to get last minute "returns", my husband fell asleep!!

Felicity are you reading my mind :-) After reviewing the temperature in Cotsworld in Dec we Californians chickened out and are looking at going in summer instead-we normally do not travel in summer and prefer spring and fall but our graduate student son wants to take a European break... And it so happens we have not been to Ireland so I came up with Dublin and Cotsworld. Unfortunately this late in the year your cottage is booked for summer and your apt pretty much booked for summer :-( I can't book yet-son has his PhD qualifying exams being scheduled for end May/early June and waiting for his dates. It is too late to use frequent flyer miles an tickets to Dublin are holding steady (even if high!) so far...

What is the optimum way to get from Dublin to Cotsworld? Fly into Birmingham then rent a car?

Letha - never been very good at mind reading !!

Sorry I am not available for your dates but in answer to your question - assuming you are travelling to Dublin first and then England, then I would fly Dublin to Birmingham (Aer Lingus are my preference as they know how to treat people but failing that, Ryanair and both do very good deals if you can book in advance) and rent a car there. If you were staying somewhere around my area e.g. Chipping Campden or Stratford it is only about 45 mins to an hour from the airport and is a very straightforward journey, half of it on motorways.

Good luck with your ticket hunt...and the exams!