The Perfect Quintessential English Christmas Vacation Itinerary
- Aug 28, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 15
From London landmarks illuminated by Christmas lights to quaint country cottages covered in snow, there’s something idyllic about spending the Christmas holidays in England. Imagine shopping for gifts in Harrods, watching A Christmas Carol in the West End, walking around the crisp countryside on Christmas day, and watching fireworks from the River Thames on New Year’s Eve. Well, you can experience all this and more on our thoughtfully planned quintessential English Christmas vacation 10-night itinerary. Read on for a day-to-day overview to learn more about how you could spend your holidays in 2024 or 2025.
Highlights of the Quintessential English Christmas Vacation Itinerary
Shop in London’s best locations with a personal shopping guide
Stay at a decked-out luxurious London landmark hotel
Eat a Christmas feast at a gourmet pub in the Cotswolds
Unwind after Christmas in the English countryside
Walk the legendary hallways of Oxford University
Celebrate New Year’s on a luxury River Thames riverboat
21st-23rd December: Christmas shopping in London
Begin your quintessential English Christmas vacation with a few merry days of Christmas shopping in London with a personal shopping guide. As one of the world’s shopping capitals, there’s no doubt they can help you find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Plus, shopping is a fantastic way to get acquainted with London and see iconic sights like Oxford Street, Regent Street, and historic department stores like Harrods and Selfridges. Decorated with dazzling Christmas lights, they create a festive atmosphere sure to instill a warm and fuzzy Christmas spirit, even when it’s cold outside!
Soak up the Christmas spirit in London
Between shopping sprees, take some time to enjoy London’s seasonal festivities. Compare mulled wine in the city’s most-loved Christmas markets Convent Garden, the Southbank Centre, and Greenwich. Tuck into the top seasonal menus in London’s restaurants like The Wolesley’s afternoon tea in Picadilly and a Christmas dinner at The Grill at The Dorchester. Catch A Christmas Carol in the West End, and sip on some cinnamon-spiced cocktails in London’s cosiest bars.
Stay at a landmark London hotel
During the holidays, London’s landmark hotels go all out and deck the halls, lobbies, and suites, with some of the most impressive decorations you’ve ever seen. Each year, Claridge’s the historic 5-star hotel in the heart of Mayfair outdoes itself with Christmas trees designed by the likes of Luis Vuitton, McQueen, and Karl Lagerfeld. Meanwhile, Christmas at the suave and stylish Savoy goes full steam ahead with a steam train choo-chooing through their lobby and a roster of enviable festive events.
December 24th-27th: Christmas in the Cotswolds
After a fabulously festive few days in London, settle down for a calm and cosy Christmas in the Cotswolds with those you hold dear. The Cotswolds is the perfect setting for a quintessential Christmas in England, a rural landscape painted by rambling hills, limestone cottages, and centuries-old towns and villages. Think slow, and relaxed days spent meandering around the Cotswolds meadows, tasting the local ales offered at every quaint pub you pass, and visiting quaint rural villages featured in films.
Christmas Eve cheer
Despite being away for the holidays, you can still celebrate Christmas Eve in your favourite way, whether it’s at a restaurant, bar, or local church — all will be filled with plenty of Christmas cheer in the Cotswolds.
Christmas Day festivities
On Christmas day, enjoy a slow, relaxed morning in your luxury cottage swapping gifts with your family around the Christmas tree. Afterward, wrap up warm for a crisp countryside walk to work up an appetite for a gourmet Christmas lunch at one of the Cotswolds’ greatest gastropubs like The Wild Rabbit, The Kingham Plough, and The Wheatsheaf Inn. Finish the day gathered around your crackling log fire playing board games with the family.
Post-Christmas relaxation
The days following Christmas in England are for TLC whether that means sleeping in late, and eating your holiday chocolates at noon, getting treatments at the spa, or boutique shopping in the Boxing Day sales in Cirencester, Boughton-on-the-Water, or Moreton-in-Marsh. Alternatively, take a classic car to drive around the Cotswolds and visit its most darling destinations including Castle Combe, Bibury, and Burford.
Stay on a private country estate in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is sprinkled with a selection of luxurious country cottages, manors, and estates that promise to provide that easy English country lifestyle. If you’re looking for a private family getaway that allows you to have plenty of quality time together, opt for a private home-away-from-home. For a luxury Christmas where everything is everything is taken care of, stay in one of the area’s top country hotels like the stylish Soho Farmhouse in Chipping Norton or Thyme, a timelessly modern luxury farmhouse-style hotel near Bibury.
December28th-30th: Explore the historic city of Oxford
Live life to the full in the final few days of 2024 with a stay in England’s most beautiful city, Oxford. While it’s perfectly small and quaint, Oxford is filled with fascinating history, magnificent architecture, high-standing cultural institutions and, of course, exceptional shops, bars, and restaurants. Christmas may have passed, but you’ll still be able to see Oxford adorned with charming holiday decorations.
Oxford University and City Tour
Start your Oxford introduction with a private tour of the prestigious, inspiring, and history-making Oxford University. See the campus’ most famous spots like the Christ Church campus, Bodleian Library, New College, and Bridge of Sighs while the students are home for Christmas. During the tour, your guide will share captivating insights into the university’s long history and fun facts and anecdotes about its famous former students.
Afternoon tea at the Ashmolean Museum
Oxford is full of top-tier museums and galleries but if you only visit one, make it the Ashmolean Museum. As Britain’s oldest museum, it has an unparalleled collection of historic art and artifacts including the Alfred Jewel, Magna Carta, and Egyptian mummies. After a morning well-spent gawping at these priceless pieces of history, stay for a delightfully British afternoon tea with everything from cucumber sandwiches to strawberry and clotted cream scones in the museum’s rooftop restaurant.
Stay in Oxford’s Old Bank Hotel
Oxford is best enjoyed with a stay at the Old Bank Hotel which offers views of its most historic buildings from its idyllic High Street location. Enjoy your morning coffee in bed while pondering the pristine architecture of the Church of St Mary before stepping out to discover everything on your doorstep. Return in the evening for a delectable dinner in Quod in the Old Bank Hotel’s former bank floor before sauntering back to your sauve suite for a sound night’s sleep.
December 31st- January 1st: Celebrate the New Year in London
It’s the final day of the year so let’s make it count by counting down the clock in the capital. It’s no secret that Brits know how to celebrate which makes London one of the best possible places to spend New Year’s Eve. On this legendary night, the city’s atmosphere becomes electric as crowds gather everywhere from the pubs and clubs to the squares and riverbanks to bring in the new year together. At the heart of the celebrations is the London New Year’s Eve fireworks at the London Eye which can be seen for miles across the city skyline.
NYE riverboat dinner cruise
F
or an unforgettable British New Year’s Eve, bring it in on a luxury riverboat dinner cruise along the Thames. The glamorous evening begins with champagne and canopes followed by a 4-course dinner accompanied byviews of the glittering London skyline. After dinner, a live band will have you dancing your way into the new year. As the clock strikes midnight, you will get front-row seats to London’s official fireworks display.
A wholesome New Year’s Day
Waking up in the new year, there’s no better excuse for a leisurely morning spent luxuriating in your lavish London hotel. However, New Year’s Day should always involve incredible food so once you’re ready to rise, head out for a hearty British lunch with your loved ones at a gourmet restaurant. After this, your quintessential English Christmas vacation will come to a close but before it does, enjoy one last walk around the city to see your favourite sights.
Book your quintessential English Christmas vacation
All the best hotels, restaurants, and tours in England are in high demand over the holiday season but it’s not too late to book. Those hoping for a luxurious quintessential English Christmas vacation in 2024 should secure their plans as soon as possible with Lore Luxury Travel. From finding quaint Cotswolds cottages to securing tables at top London restaurants, we will create the luxurious bespoke itinerary you’ve been dreaming about. To find out more about the quintessential English Christmas vacation we can create for you, enquire now by calling us toll-free at 1 (800) 707-5184/ direct in the UK +44 (0) 2045 781 580 or email us here.
