Christmas in England

If you love Christmastime, with its expectation of something yet to come, the long dark nights brightened by twinkling lights strung on evergreens and dotting house windows, Carolers at the doorstep, traditions that you don’t even realize you long for, then a trip to England should be added to your list.

We left soon after Thanksgiving and headed to the place where stories of Christmases past abound. We arrived from our overnight flight and made our way to Winchester Cathedral. This beautiful cathedral has the longest nave in all of England.

The architecture which spans several periods is a testament to life, perseverance, rise and fall of power and ultimately devotion to something larger than ourselves. The cathedral is majestic with columns and ceilings.

Among its notable persons buried there is a woman named Jane Austin, who at the time of her death was not well known, but her wealthy father wanted some notoriety, buried her there , the daughter of GEORGE AUSTIN, his name engraved the same size as hers. A little Pride and Predjudice anyone?

The square outside bustles with a Christmas market full of small stalls selling mulled wine or hot chocolate, crafts, small bites,etc. The bustle of shoppers and the chilly air with notes of cinnamon, curry, chocolate and sausages wafting past is a sensory delight.

Our final destination for day one of this trip however is Bath. Bath is the elegant city which grew in power and prestige throughout history. It is a nostalgic return for us as we were here in the summer nearly 40 years ago on our honeymoon.

The beauty of old cities… they change in beautiful ways yet somehow remain the same… a little like marriage! Known for its Roman baths and healing waters, the city drew wealth and talent.

A tour of No.1 Royal Crescent gave us some ideas to refresh our Christmas decorating Georgian style ( little ones be prepared to string and dry some oranges when we get home!) and perhaps a savory fish or minced pie to add to our Christmas table!

The architectural development over time leaves such landmarks as the Royal Crescent, the Circus, the Pulteney Bridge(referred to as the Ponte Vecchio of England ) and the beautiful Bath Abbey to name only a few.

If we thought the Winchester Christmas Market was special, the Bath Christmas Market is her celebrity big sister. The charming streets of Bath mix their standard shops with rows of pop up stalls, local crafters and international makers, spill from street to street, each decorated for Christmas and oozing with Christmas spirit ( and of course a variety of mulled wine, hot cider and gourmet hot chocolate) to warm you.

Bath is also a foodie and theatre center. Who cares about jet lag when you can get a cozy dinner at a Michelin star bistro before a first class performance of 12 Angry Men at the Theatre Royal Bath starring Patrick Duffy ( Bobby Ewing of Dallas fame for those of a certain age). A late night cocktail and a return to our comfy B&B.

Next stop is our step into a Hallmark Christmas. Cotswolds here we come!