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[smurfette]

I don't know if this thread technically should be here or not because it's not related to academic travel, so please excuse me...

Smurf and I would like to go to England for 1 week next academic year, and are trying to decide when. Our options are either sometime around the Christmas holiday (let's say something like the week of Dec 22 2008), or the first week or March 2009 (my spring break).  He has been to England already, I have not. This would be purely for vacation. We know the weather likely would not be good at either time, but are trying to decide which would be the best time to go. We are thinking that March will be warmer, but rainy. December will be cold but at least fun and Christmas-y. But maybe more expensive plane fares.

My mom goes to England a lot but I haven't gotten the chance to discuss this with her yet. Also, sometimes my mom gets over-eager in her travel advice, so I wanted to come here first. Thanks.

[expatinuk]

I think that the weather is actually better in December than in March. The UK has a long autumn and the rains don't really start until January. March is pretty nasty... we're talking snow, sleet, rain, sun, hail... all within a 20 minute period. The winds in March are nasty too.

[dyst_uk]

I would agree that it's easier to pack for December than March.  Also, the Christmas sales can be good.  I don't know about flight prices, however.

[bibliothecula]

I'll also vote for December. It's never really that cold then, the shops are all dressed up for Christmas, and there are nice sales after the hols. You can also get some really nice package deals during that time.

I recommend Susan Allen Toth's quirky books about travel in the UK, if you want a different kind of guidebook. She has great suggestions for trips during all times of the year.

[scotia]

More and more activities seem to close between Christmas and New Year (the Christmas holidays - except for retailers - seem to last from Christmas Day until January 2nd) so you may find that some of the things you are hoping to do are not available. Prices (flights and hotels) also tend to hike massively over the Christmas period and the prices for lunch/dinner on Christmas days - for very ordinary food - are a joke. The first week in March would likely be a lot cheaper because it is off-peak and you would get much better deals.

[katherineparr]

I think the question is: what kind of tourist are you? If you will slog through rain/sleet and find that romantic, go in March. Think of it as an authentic experience. One upside no one has mentioned is that when the weather is bad the tourists often stay away. So you might not have to go up the tiny stairs at the Tower of London with your face directly below the massive tushie of some lady in a puce jumpsuit. Not that I'm bitter.

On the other hand, if you're really looking for romance, I think Xmas in Britain is magical. You might look into lodging that includes a kitchen, though, to help with the cost of eating out on a holiday.

Of course, if you're talking about going *over the holiday break* but not actually *at* Christmas, then I think December really is a better choice.

[britmom]

In terms of weather, I would also vote for December. I agree that it rarely gets really cold. (I assume you're intending going to London/South East?). Of course, you could be lucky and get some wonderful warm early Spring weather in March.  <Stares outside at the snow.> If you want an idea of British weather at spring time: http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,46744.0.html

[expatinuk]

I just reread the Brit Spring thread.... it's a pretty good indication of the weather here in the Spring.

Actually the weather is like that a lot of the time.

[empyrean_aisles]

I'll echo those who said beware of things shutting down at Christmas. In particular, do not attempt to travel to/from airports on a holiday (Christmas Day or New Year's Eve). I had a friend who booked a flight from Heathrow on Christmas Day and was completely unable to get to the airport (from a city 1.5 hours away from London). No trains, no coaches, no airport taxis. Even car hire places were shut.

Also, if the trains are running, then there may be big delays as train companies choose holidays and Sundays to get trackwork done. Those who like me were attempting to travel between two major cities on a regular basis over the most recent Christmas/New Year break will know how frustrating that was ... in fact over-running and badly planned trackwork cost the rail companies a lot of money in fines. So, the moral of this is, don't plan on inter-city train travel going smoothly during the holiday period!

I am surprised everyone is voting for December. Yes, Christmas lights can be pretty, and Christmas markets are nice, but it is usually pretty horrific to go to any public places that are near shopping districts because if you haven't caught the pre-Christmas present-buying rush, then you'll run into the post-Christmas sales horror. And I know this is the case in the US as well but remember how much less space there is in the UK - everything is packed much closer together. This would probably not be a problem in a bit place like London but if you are visiting other smaller towns, i is hard to stay away from their major shopping precincts. I would vote for March - there's much more light in the sky and some early spring flowers are starting to appear (which is one of the beautiful things that I really love about spring in the UK). Also you can generally wear a jacket with a warm scarf and gloves, rather than a winter coat when you go out. YMMV, though.

[secretweapon]

I agree that a lot of things will be closed around Christmas, and the bars and restaurants may be packed beyond belief and/or offering special, overpriced Christmas menus.

However, it depends if you want to go to London and do touristy stuff, or rent a cottage in the countryside and drink real ale by a fireplace.  If it's the former, I'd go in March when things are open.  The weather will be somewhat unpredictable, but that's the UK, and the primroses popping up in the parks are absolutely adorable.

[qrypt]

I'll echo those who said beware of things shutting down at Christmas. In particular, do not attempt to travel to/from airports on a holiday (Christmas Day or New Year's Eve). I had a friend who booked a flight from Heathrow on Christmas Day and was completely unable to get to the airport (from a city 1.5 hours away from London). No trains, no coaches, no airport taxis. Even car hire places were shut.

In my experiences, there are coaches to the major airports on Christmas day.  I flew on Christmas day from Gatwick a couple of years ago, I got a coach from Victoria Station to the airport, and I think something similar ran from Paddington to Heathrow. 

I agree with the rest of what you write - very little daylight, massive crowds in small places, high prices, etc.  Since I don't celebrate Christmas, I find the whole thing a major nuisance. 

Don't believe the inquest verdict - MI6 killed Diana.

[expatinuk]

Don't believe the inquest verdict - MI6 killed Diana.

No no no... you have that wrong... it's a typo... the M6 killed Diana. She died of boredom sitting in traffic. The body that was killed in Paris was a clone.

[minira]

I've lived in different areas of the UK for 5 years total now, and I have to say that if you're planning to travel and sightsee, March is by far the better, cheaper and more convenient choice.

The holidays are a very awkward time to travel to and within the UK: airfares practically double (whereas March is 'shoulder' season with great deals).  The railway and buses often run on a drastically reduced "Sunday" schedule, and are packed with all the Brits travelling around the country for their holidays.  Because many businesses and schools close, the week between Christmas and New Years sees what few national historic attractions and museums stay open get very crowded.  And many of what I'd consider the best accomodations, family-run guesthouses and B&Bs, close.  Those that don't charge higher rates and fill up FAST.

If you're just coming to see London/Edinburgh, you shouldn't have many problems: but if you want to get out into the countryside and do lots of sightseeing, it'll be a logistical nightmare to come at Christmas-time.  Add to that the fact that winters in the south of England aren't actually snowy, and you get nearly the same awful weather as in March...just colder constant sleet/rain.

[afacultymember]

March would get my vote. Less tourists=less hassle.

THe weather is unpredictable, but just dress in layers and carry an umbrella and you'll be fine.

[smurfette]

Thank you all for the replies and suggestions!

It looks like December won't work anymore because Smurf won't get time off then.  It may be March, or it may be early August of this year or early May of next year (it all depends on my field seasons, which are up in the air). I am sure that May and August are preferrable over March, but we'll just have to see...