Christmas Outings

[rabet]

Do any of you have favourite places to visit at or around Christmas? We go to Norwich (from Yorks) for a few days and always attend the carol service at the wonderful cathedral.

[Buenchico]

My favourite places to visit around Christmas tend to be pubs! For example, a friend and I will be going for a pre-Christmas drink or two in (coincidentally) Norwich on Thursday. (If you love real ale, don't miss the wonderful Kings Head on Magdalen Street!).

When I'm not boozing I often seek out crowds. (Everyone else seems to hate them; I love them!). So London's Southbank Christmas Market usually features on my list of places to visit (as does Oxford Street).

Two towns that seem to feel particularly 'Christmassy' to me at this time of year are Bury St Edmunds and Rochester.

[rabet]

Hi Buenchico ~ yes, I am familiar with the King's Head. I was born and raised in Norwich but I haven't lived there for many years. Do you know Take Five at Tombland , and the Adam and Eve, the Wig and Pen, Walnut Tree Shades, and the Sir Garnet? All real ale pubs that I can thoroughly recommend (and yes, I am something of a p***head!).

[boxtops]

We go to our local mall on Boxing Day, for the start of the sales.... otherwise, work doesn't permit trips anywhere else, and I can't abide faffing about with the shoppers as it gets nearer to Christmas anyway.

I'd love to go to York - never been.

[joggerjayne]

I've been to York. It's jolly.

I like Rochester, too. It has a really quaint high street. I stayed in some pub or hotel place on the high street once, when I did part of the dive instructor training in Rochester.

[rabet]

Hi boxtops. won't it be madness at the mall for the sales?

[boxtops]

Not if you go early enough, rabet :-)

Rochester's nice, jj - all the Medway towns are on the up these days.

[rabet]

Rochester! That takes me back! I've only ever been there in the early hours; we used to drive there from Gravesend to the pie stall on the marketplace after the pubs closed. I have never seen the place in daylight!

[Baldric]

///Take Five at Tombland , and the Adam and Eve, the Wig and Pen, Walnut Tree Shades, and the Sir Garnet///
That ^^^ list brings back some very fond memories of living in Norwich,
usually go back there around Xmas, but not this year, (still very post-op and don't fancy the journey), there's always next year!

[rockyracoon]

The sunday before Christmas we usually head for the Southbank to see the Christmas Market, it's really pretty at night and makes everything really Christmasy, plus they sell mulled wine. :)

[rabet]

Mulled wine, great; anyone ever tried mulled cider?

[B00]

We go to the Childrens Service every Christmas Eve at our local church, love it, kids, nativity and PROPER Christmas Carols being sung, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy :-)

[Maydup]

Is that Elm Hill on your avatar rabet?

Have a wonderful time this year. I live in Norfolk and work in Norwich, so am delighted to hear we are your "destination of choice"! A few things to add to your list this year if you haven't done them before.

The Old skating Ring emporium, Bethel Street
A visit to the pantomime
Cream Tea in Jarrolds
A walk round The Lanes
Breakfast in the Ironmongers

[B00]

"Breakfast in the Ironmongers "

I'm sure that's far nicer than it sounds!

[Baldric]

Is that ^^ in the Maddermarket?

[rabet]

Maydup, yes, it's Elm Hill. I think that perhaps you meant The Iron House (near the Maddermarket), not ironmongers.

[sunny-dave]

I'll be in The Bull and Butcher on Boxing Day - playing 'spot the bloke wearing the christmas jumper' ... :)

I usually get into B'ham for the Christmas Market, but so far this year have been thwarted by an irritating cough/cold. If you do get there, then have a pint in the PO Vaults (top end of New Street) - best pub in the midlands.

[Maydup]

Oh yes! Iron House is a cafe, Ironmongers Arms is a pub!

We have a day in London pre or post christmas and this year went down in late November. Post christmas will be a trip to Chester and surrounds.

[China Doll]

I quite like going for a walk on South Bank as there's a little christmas market thing there.... I've yet to actually buy something but I do like the walk by the river.

[shaneystar2]

Hello rabet
Seasons Greetings from the eastern side of the county .Have a lovely time in Norwich .We might have a a stroll along the seafront on Boxing day depending on the weather .Funny you should mention Rochester .I went to school there .
Happy memories of trudging to the cathedral for the Christmas service way back in the year dot :)
Have a lovely Christmas
Shaney x

[murraymints]

Rabet...walnut tree shades was my regular when I lived in Norwich....does Chris still have it ?