England · CHRISTMAS
The shortlist you would send a friend: 15 christmas experiences worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Open-top night bus with a live English guide, Christmas lights on Regent and Oxford Street, plus Big Ben views from Belvedere Road.
“Great fun! Your was exactly as described. Additionally, since traffic was light our guides swung by Big Ben!! Our tour guide was exceptional…personable, just the right amount of talk, interesting and pertinent facts, with some levity thrown in as well.”
A restored vintage double-decker bus tour of London Christmas lights, Trafalgar tree, Piccadilly and West End shopping, with live guide.
“This tour went down a number of Christmas lit streets and the guide told which side streets to watch. The only reason I took off one star is they allowed one particular family to continue to stand in front of all the attractions where those seated could not get good photos.”
Walk London’s Christmas-light highlights with silent disco music, a live guide, and festive photo stops, ending back where you started.
“The starting point was changed by email on the afternoon of the Silent Disco Tour. We didn’t see the email as we were already up in London celebrating the 1st December. We walked 30 minutes to the new starting point but the tour had already departed and there was no way of contacting the guides. 14 of us were left behind. Totally embarrassing for our organiser. We have been promised a full refund though and managed to have some special times together without the tour’s help.”
A 90-minute Christmas walk through York, linking Romans, Vikings, Dickens, and chocolate, with festive lights near York Minster.
“Wonderful tour guide! Even though quite cold, we enjoyed the walking tour and hearing the history of Christmas in York and seeing all of the Christmas lights!!”
London Christmas Lights private black cab tour with hotel pickup, driver-guide stories, and frequent photo stops across Mayfair, Chelsea, Kensington.
“Steve was an incredible tour guide and experienced driver. He was so thoughtful with the places he stopped and requests we had and very entertaining. He timed the tour perfectly to get us to the hourly advent display !”
90-minute guided London Christmas lights and markets walk from Covent Garden to Trafalgar Square, with free mulled wine.
“Jack was so personable and we had lots of fun. This tour was so lovely! We really learned so much about Christmas and saw some areas we would have completely missed. Well worth the money, highly recommend!”
Cycle London’s Christmas lights with a small local guide, helmets and Santa hats included, hitting top shopping streets and markets in 3 hours.
“Amazing way to cover a lot of ground and see a lot of things in a brief period of time! We were lucky to have a clear evening and enjoyed all the Christmas and historical sights.”
Private London Christmas lights tour in a black cab with a local guide, tailored route, and stops at Oxford, Regent, Bond, and more.
“David’s tour is great! We had a wonderful tour of London and all of its festive lights and decorations as well as learning a bit of history. I highly recommend it.”
A small-group London Christmas Carol walk tracing Scrooge and Charles Dickens through pubs, courts, and historic streets.
“The journey through this part of London and the life of Charles Dickens and his works was magical. Stories we only half really knew came to life. Richard captured ours and our three teenagers imagination with the youngest commenting on how passionate he was in his delivery and his obvious love for the author and the history of these amazing places. Absolutely recommend. Would do it again. Brilliant experience.”
See London’s Christmas lights in a private black cab with curated photo stops, short walks, and history-filled stories, for up to 6.
“It was amazing!! Jon was the best!! London is my favorite city but there is something magical about it at Christmas.”
Singalong Christmas lights on a London bus with mince pie, shortbread, and mulled wine or hot chocolate, plus stops for big landmark views.
“Fun and lighthearted Christmas bus tour looking at the lights of London , singing with the other passengers and enjoying hot chocolate (or mulled wine) and sweets . All I wanted for Christmas !”
A 1.5-hour London Christmas lights coach tour with guided commentary and a Christmas afternoon tea, stopping by Regent and Oxford Streets.
“This was a wonderful London experience. We enjoyed the tea and touring the Christmas lights. Everything was so pretty at night. And, the tour was awesome - Evan and Evans does it again! Great guides and comfortable bus.”
See London’s Christmas lights on a guided 2.5-hour walk, hitting Regent Street, Soho, Carnaby, and Hyde Park with great photo stops.
“Mariana, was our guide for the tour. It was a great Christmas lights tour with a perfect amount of history added. My 13 yr old daughter loves history and loved the fact that she even knew some of the stories. The walking pace was great. The timing was great. Overall, a really nice tour that I would recommend to others.”
See London’s Christmas lights in one hour by open-top bus from Green Park, with a live guide and big-night skyline views.
“Very disappointed as the tour I had at 8p was not being run. I could wait for a later one or get on the already full 7ish tour they would originally allow me on. I had to sit inside and the windows had glare and were dirty. I got no photos at all. It was okay but did not go down even half the streets the tour I took the previous night did. We were told about sights rather than heads up on side street lights. My recommendation would be to go on the historic bus instead.”
A 90-minute Christmas walk in Winchester with a comedian guide, mulled wine, and cathedral light views along key historic stops.
“Rushed - only 4 of us in the group - guide talked more about himself and connections with Ireland. Would have enjoyed more of an overview of Winchester. Mentioned leaving tips - unprofessional I’m afraid.”
By region, by ritual, and by what the weather is doing.
