Great article. I have spent 2 Christmases in London, once in 1984 and once in 2003. Each time was wonderful. I'm glad to know it hasn't changed much.
My husband and I also spent Christmas in 2005 in Dublin which was equally great. Dublin closes up even tighter than London at Christmas. Everything was shut on the day but we had made our Christmas Dinner reservation a couple of weeks before the day at a mid-level hotel, (closed but serving dinner only in their dining room). After our meal we walked around and ended up at The Outhouse (the name is...) Dublin's LGBTQ community center. They have a meal for folks who are alone or don't want to go to relatives, etc. We had seen a poster for it on our walks around Dublin and decided to see if it was still going on. We got there, walked in and had a fabulous time, eating more desserts and meeting some wonderful people. We were treated like old friends and when we left they insisted we take leftovers back to our apartment. We had food for a few days after that. Nothing like the LGBTQ community to make you feel loved over the holidays!
Thank you. This is the best post you have put up in the last several months. I am now trying to talk several family members into meeting up for Christmas in London. Merry Xmas and Happy New Years. Again, thank you for the wonderful photographs and writing. Tom Allin
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve done just nothing for the holiday this year, and this post and the absolutely wonderful photos are exactly what I needed! Like a cuppa hot tea, with a wee splash of something stronger, warming through and through.
I’ve never done London at Christmas but it felt like being home somehow. Some of the fabulous photos of decorated streets and shops made me feel like I’ve been transported to Diagonal Alley! I expected to see Harry, Ron and Hermione doing a bit of shopping. Perhaps Dumbledore just vanishing around a corner.
And the Muppet Tiny Tim ratings are inspired. This Christmas post gets five Tiny Tim at minimum.
You two are a true treasure - thank you ever so much for sharing your adventures!
Thank you so much, Tialin! You just made my day. And I've got pics of a place called Leadenworth Hall which is where I think they filmed some of Diagon Alley and I'll be sharing those on Facebook if you're there!
Cool! I’ll check it out. I’ve rather forsaken Facebook the last few years, when everyone turned so political and the environment grew so toxic. I love politics, but the vitriol was beyond unreal for awhile, so I just gave it up, though I used to be very active with my show dogs. I imagine a lot of folks just assumed I died, haha. Even one of my dogs still has a page of her own, she was quite the celeb in our niche world. Cindy the Smooth Fox Terrier, if you like.
But! I’ll definitely go back to see your posts and pictures, lol! Worth it. Totally.
I use my full name (Virginia O’Connor) on FB. I go by Tialin, a nickname given to me by friends several decades ago, (it’s from a book) almost everywhere these days. Should have changed it legally, but such a hassle.
Such fun to read on Christmas Eve . Thanks.🎄🎅🏻
Thansk, Karchner! (Love that name!) Happy holidays to you!
Great article. I have spent 2 Christmases in London, once in 1984 and once in 2003. Each time was wonderful. I'm glad to know it hasn't changed much.
My husband and I also spent Christmas in 2005 in Dublin which was equally great. Dublin closes up even tighter than London at Christmas. Everything was shut on the day but we had made our Christmas Dinner reservation a couple of weeks before the day at a mid-level hotel, (closed but serving dinner only in their dining room). After our meal we walked around and ended up at The Outhouse (the name is...) Dublin's LGBTQ community center. They have a meal for folks who are alone or don't want to go to relatives, etc. We had seen a poster for it on our walks around Dublin and decided to see if it was still going on. We got there, walked in and had a fabulous time, eating more desserts and meeting some wonderful people. We were treated like old friends and when we left they insisted we take leftovers back to our apartment. We had food for a few days after that. Nothing like the LGBTQ community to make you feel loved over the holidays!
Thanks so much, Ben! And that Dublin Christmas sounds fantastic! I'd love to do something like that one day!
Merry Christmas! And now I want to spend Christmas in London…
You'll Love it!
Looks wonderful at Christmastime. Planning to go there in September, maybe we should rethink that! Merry Christmas and all the best in 2023!
Merry Christmas to you as well! I'm sure you'll love it whatever time of year you come!
Thank you. This is the best post you have put up in the last several months. I am now trying to talk several family members into meeting up for Christmas in London. Merry Xmas and Happy New Years. Again, thank you for the wonderful photographs and writing. Tom Allin
Thanks! Let me know if you have any questions! And Merry Christmas...
Merry Christmas
You you as well!
It seems I am in the fairytale!
Love to hear that!
It’s true, it was incredibly immersive. It is like being in a wonderland!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve done just nothing for the holiday this year, and this post and the absolutely wonderful photos are exactly what I needed! Like a cuppa hot tea, with a wee splash of something stronger, warming through and through.
I’ve never done London at Christmas but it felt like being home somehow. Some of the fabulous photos of decorated streets and shops made me feel like I’ve been transported to Diagonal Alley! I expected to see Harry, Ron and Hermione doing a bit of shopping. Perhaps Dumbledore just vanishing around a corner.
And the Muppet Tiny Tim ratings are inspired. This Christmas post gets five Tiny Tim at minimum.
You two are a true treasure - thank you ever so much for sharing your adventures!
So in that spirit: God bless us, every one!
Thank you so much, Tialin! You just made my day. And I've got pics of a place called Leadenworth Hall which is where I think they filmed some of Diagon Alley and I'll be sharing those on Facebook if you're there!
Your photos are just magical. As an artist (and dog show candid photographer) I so appreciate your work.
Cool! I’ll check it out. I’ve rather forsaken Facebook the last few years, when everyone turned so political and the environment grew so toxic. I love politics, but the vitriol was beyond unreal for awhile, so I just gave it up, though I used to be very active with my show dogs. I imagine a lot of folks just assumed I died, haha. Even one of my dogs still has a page of her own, she was quite the celeb in our niche world. Cindy the Smooth Fox Terrier, if you like.
But! I’ll definitely go back to see your posts and pictures, lol! Worth it. Totally.
I use my full name (Virginia O’Connor) on FB. I go by Tialin, a nickname given to me by friends several decades ago, (it’s from a book) almost everywhere these days. Should have changed it legally, but such a hassle.
Virginia (Tialin)
Laurelton Smooth Fox Terriers
Ha ha, now I’m “out”!
Just ran across this after a particularly dreadful day - thank you! This made my day, I studied in UK in the early 90’s and adored London.
Of course!
Thanks for this...i've been fantasizing about Christmas in London.....
My pleasure! Hope you can get there!
I just got a chance to read this and I love every bit of it - these ratings posts always bring me a smile :)
Thanks! Hearing you say that brings me a smile!
Those are some pretty photos. Merry belated Xmas!
Thanks! And Merry Christmas to you!
Oh, and do they still have a few roasted chestnut vendors on street corners? Was there in January once and partook of a few.
You know, I don't think I saw any!
I think COVID has done for street vendors. 😢
I hope not!