Results matching “Christmas”

Unique to this year, Silverstone Circuit has launched their Silverstone Lap Land, an immersive Christmas drive around the track at a slow pace so that drivers and their passengers in their cars can see different light displays and decorations. The Christmas-themed drive has a few festive displays and a lot of bright and colourful lights and smoke machines. The event was cancelled for Tier4 for a few days until the restrictions were clarified by the government (visitors stay in their cars and do not have any contact with anyone else anyway). I visited the event earlier today as it was still allowed to go ahead.

Before the drive, visitors were asked to tune their radio to a particular frequency, and this was broadcast with Christmas music and a live commentator. This actually really helped to make the event. The drive consisted of a slow ride following other cars around the track. Unfortunately, a lot of the cars there were just standard family cars, so it's staring at the back of them as you drive around.

There were different light displays and some different racing vehicles located in different places along the track. 

This was not a racing event. The pace on the track is around five to ten miles per hour, and visitors must not change lanes and keep a distance of about five cars' length behind the car in front.

Overall, it was good to get out of the house over the strange days between Christmas and New Year when everything seems to run together (not to mention the lockdown restrictions), and the bright lights along with the music and commentary made this a good event. It did meet my expectations as I was not sure what it would be like, but more festive light displays along the track would be welcome.

Kahuna Cookie Company deliver thick, stuffed American-style cookies to the UK and Europe in small batches. I was lucky enough to nab their special Christmas box before they ran out of stock. This is one online cookie shop that tends to sell out pretty quickly. I've had my eyes on getting a box for months, and this was the first time that I was successful. So, what came in the box? Read below to find out.

The Christmas Kahuna Cookie Company box contained six stuffed cookies of different flavours and a selection of minature candy canes and Christmas Hershey's kisses thrown in. The flavours included:

Ginger Butterscotch Pud: This cookie is made of gingerbread dough, crystalised ginger, butterscotch chips and filled with biscoff and topped with a miniature gingerbread man. I loved this flavour, and the crystalised lumps of ginger and butterscotch chips made the texture a lovely one. If you enjoy ginger, you will enjoy this. Ginger is a warming spice that is used in a lot of Christmas recipes, so it is bang on trend. 

Baileys Hot Chocolate: Many peoples' favourite Christmas drink is Baileys - a creamy alcoholic after-diner shot. This cookie is made of chocolate Irish Cream dough, dark chocolate chips, gold chocolate chips, pecans and Baileys salted caramel. It is filled with cheesecake and completed with a Hershey's kiss shaped as a Santa hat.

The Purple One: In the Christmas selection of chocolate from Quality Street, a lot of people enjoy "The Purple One", which is a milk chocolate with a hazelnut in the centre. This cookie mimics that candy. It is made of milk chocolate and hazelnuts and filled with caramel with "The Purple One" candy on top. Chocolate chip cookies with nuts are a firm favourite of mine as it's a traditional.

Oreo Candy Cane: The Oreo-flavoured candy cane must be a new flavour of candy cane that I have not come across before, so the candy cane turns the simple Oreo into a festive treat. The cookie is made with triple chocolate dough with Oreo cookie chunks and white chocolate chips. The cookie is stuffed with Oreo Cookies and Cream filling and topped with the Oreo candy cane. I absolutely loved this cookie; it tasted delicious. 

Red Nose: The festive Malteser reindeer on top of this cookie turns this Malteser-inspired cookie into a festive treat. The cookie is made of malt dough with smashed Maltesers. It has a red velvet centre and is filled with Malteser spread, topped with the festive Malteser reindeer.

Mince Pie: Mince pies are a traditional Christmas treat, but they are one that I dislike. So, this was my least favourite of the cookies personally. The cookie is made of mince pie dough and stollen pieces and filled with sweet mincemeat (basically chopped dried fruit, not actual meat). It is topped with a festive holly berry design.

I have tried a lot of different home-delivered cookie companies, and I will say that Kahuna is one of the tastiest.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, London has still put on a dispay of Christmas lights and decorations. Due to the lockdown in November, many of the venues were late to put up their decorations this year, so it took a couple of visits to London in order to see them all. Keep reading to see where you can see London's Christmas lights and decorations. If you want to see some of London's Christmas-themed treats, I have created a post here: Where to Buy Christmas-Themed Treats in London (2020)

Oxford Street: The Oxford Street banners have returned with the addition of stars. This year, the messages displayed on the banners are tributes to the heroes in the health service and community during this terrible year of the coronavirus pandemic. Of course, social distancing warnings and signs along and on the pavements highlight to all visitors to the area to keep their distance from everyone else to stop the spread of the virus.

Regent Street: Like the past couple of years, the spirits or angels of Regent Street have returned. These decorations were inspired by the Regent Street Christmas decorations many years ago. They have become a favourite in London. Regent Street's toy store Hamley's decorates for the holidays, but a lot of shops have toned down the displays this year. Off of the top of Regent's Street is Maddox Street, home to Maddox Gallery. The past couple of years, they have added elaborate displays, but they have not done anything this year. 

Oxford Street window displays: The major department stores in London have decorated, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, some of these department stores have gone bust and have not decorated. Overall, it is looking less festive than it normally does on Oxford Street.

St. Christopher's Place: This little 'hidden' alleyway off Oxford Street is always festive, and the decorations are always very similar with festive large orbs. This year, the mannekin is draped with gold, silver, and bright purple tinsel.

Selfridges: The department store near Bond Street on Oxford Street always decorate its windows. This year, the theme is Christmas trees. 

Carnaby Street: Carnaby Street are always a favourite. Their lights this year are inspired by heroes and hope, and you can read more about them here: Carnaby Street Christmas Lights 2020: Choose Love. Off of Carnaby Street is Liberty Department store, and they normally decorate the interior mezzanine with a festive display, but that has not happened this year.

Covent Garden: Covent Garden is always festive at Christmas. The giant Christmas tree and floral displays are in place at the piazza and in the market. This year, Lego have added an exhibition in the piazza, and their interactive exhibition can be booked in advance. There are a couple of Lego characters around the market to locate too. For more photographs, see: Covent Garden Christmas 2020.

Seven Dials: Seven Dials change their display every year. This year, the theme is white branches and garlands with pink, blue, and gold baubles of different sizes.

Seven Dials Market: Inside Seven Dials Market, lights and Christmas trees decorate the seating area.

Fortnum and Mason: The department store Fortnum & Mason have been decorating the front of their shop as an advent calendar for the past couple of years now. It is most attractive when viewed at sunset or dusk.

Burlington Arcade: Burlington Arcade is one of London's famous arcades at the edge of Mayfair. The arcade is decorated with beautiful red baubles and white frosted branches with twinkling warm lights. There are a couple of potted Christmas trees and a swing inside, aimed at people to take selfies.

Cartier: The front of Cartier's shop in Mayfair always decorates well for Christmas. This year, their red ribbon is accompanied by their mascot, a big cat (leopard?). The display has increased in size. It always attracts crowds.

Tiffany: A few doors down from Cartier is Tiffany's, and they have simple neon trees in their company blue colour.

Mayfair: Of course, Mayfair has many shops that decorate, and it's always worth a walk up and down the streets. Stella McCartney's shop, a few doors down from Cartier, is normally decorated fully but only has the ground level decorated this year. The lights for Mayfair have returned again this year, and they are the pecaock feathers and diamonds.

Annabel's: This private members' club has been decorating for the holidays for the past few years. This year, they have gone with a nutcracker theme complete with the facade of the building draped in over-sized curtains.

Hedonism Wines: Located in Mayfair, this wine shop has been decorating for the holidays for the past few years. This time, it's completely outdone itself with the festive flair.

King's Cross St. Pancras tree: Each year, King's Cross St. Pancras have their own Christmas tree. It is always decorated with a particular brand. In the past, Tiffany's and Disney have features. This year, EL&N (Elan cafe) have designed the Christmas tree. They have just opened a branch of their cafe at the station. "Wishing you a season of sweetness" is the tagline on one side of the tree. It uses the company's trademark pink colour, and the tree is a carousel with pink horses, which mimics the interior of its popular cafe.

King's Cross: King's Cross have actually decorated three Christmas trees this year. The first one is located near German Gymnasium, which is a bar, opposite King's Cross entrance. It is a colourful tree with multi-coloured LED branches. Further along at Granary Square is an abstract Christmas tree that people can stand underneath and interact with. The third tree is in its new shopping area, Coal Drops Yard. This tree is made with over 70 succulents in glass baubles. (One of the company's here at Coal Drops Yard offer workshops, and one of their workshops is terranium-making, and I was planning to sign up for one of them this year after having been inspired after my first visit to Coal Drops yard at this time last year.)

King's Road Duke of York Square and Belgravia: Duke of York Square features its own festive Christmas tree, and there are plenty of window displays along King's Road and in Belgravia.

Peggy Porschen: The cafe, Peggy Porchen, has two branches. King's Road in Chelsea and Belgravia's Elizabeth Street. Both cafes have pink and tan gingerbread, peppermint, and star displays.

The Ivy Chelsea Garden: The popular restaurant is located on King's Road and have gone all out on the Christmas decorations for the past three years. This year, they feature several selfie opportunities and a fascade covered in decorations. 

Hays Gallery: Every year, the gallery along the river decorate with a large Christmas tree.

City Hall along the Thames: City Hall, located along the Thames, have gotten into the festive mood this year with a woodland animal theme featuring a deer, robin, and fox. This one has become popular with people to get photographs of. Also, I will state that Borough Market is also looking festive with its large Christmas tree and expanded market with street food.

The Shard: The Shard's light show has returned on the tower. Tower 42 was also projecting Christmas jumpers (for Christmas jumper day), and some of the towers in the City do light up for the season. Visiting London at this time of the year is always magical, but it was very muted this year.

Fait Maison: The restaurant and cafe always decorate for the seasons. This Christmas, they kept the florals pretty neutral but added swans and feathers around the door. It is less than they usually do. Inside the cafe, the swan features in a lot of its pastry designs.

Tate Britain: Tate Britain's winter commission on the facade of the building celebrates Diwali and various stereotypes of colonial rule in India as well as personal stories of the artist, Chila Kumari Singh Burman. "Remembering a brave new world" is the commission to be seen until the end of January.

Trafalgar Square: Visit Trafalgar Square for its giant Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is a gift from Norway, and they have gifted a tree each year since 1947.

Churchill Arms in Kensington: The Churchill Arms is London's best-dressed pub with Christmas trees covering the outside of the pub. It is worth a visit and is a little different each year.

South Bank, Leicester Square, and Winter Wonderland Markets and Attractions: South Bank and Leicester Square are normally festive with a Christmas market, but they have been cancelled this year. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, a fun land with a market, amusements, rides and attractions, is also cancelled this year.

Connaught Christmas Tree: Each year for the past few years, The Connaught hotel have commissioned an artist to decorate a Christmas tree. There is a Christmas tree this year with simple white lights in front of the hotel, but there is not a commission this year.

Previous London Christmas lights are below:

• Where to see London Christmas lights and decorations (2019 Edition)
• Christmas in London 2018 - Lights and Displays
• Where to see London's Christmas Lights 2017
• London's Christmas Lights 2016
• Christmas Lights and Windows 2015
• London Christmas Lights 2014
• London's Christmas Lights 2013
• London Christmas Lights and Window Displays 2012

Previous London Window displays are below (I've phased these out as they have not been as interesting the past few years and more interest seems to be on the facade of the building as opposed to displays inside the windows):

• 2017
• 2016
• 2015
• 2014
• 2013
• 2012
• 2011

I hope that all of my readers have a merry Christmas, despite all of the restrictions and anxieties this year. Christmas is tough enough for some people already, only to have the extra issues this year due to the coronavirus pandemic thrown on top. Due to the lack of direction and guidance from the government at not managing expectations, people had had their plans thrown apart at a few days' notice. Even those who did not have any plans with meeting with anyone else over this festive time had had their plans torn apart, and if I did catch this virus, it will be due to those last-minute plan changes and restrictions on my movement. Unfortunately, I have lost faith in the government due to their poor handling. Although Christmas is not my favourite time of the year, this one has been the quietest. No work Christmas parties to go to, festive afternoon tea and cocktails were cancelled, light trails and other events were cancelled, carol singing was cancelled, meals out were cancelled, shopping trips were cancelled... I did manage to get into London to see the lights and decorations, but it was an anxious and muted trip.

Instead of traditional Christmas parties, people had to have calls over video chats on the phone or computers. They had festive quizzes and bingo, escape rooms, cocktail-making, and so on. The above cocktail was made in one of the cocktail-making courses. A box of the ingredients was sent, and we were told how to make cocktails by someone who worked at Absolut Vodka (with Dirty Martini). The Christmas cocktail tasted amazing.

I bought some Christmas flowers to put in front of the fireplace. Just a little bit of beauty helps keep calm and happy in an otherwise depressing and anxious time.

On Christmas Eve, which I do much prefer to Christmas Day, I had some drinks outside with neighbours (all socially-distanced, of course). I enjoyed a hot chocolate with marshmallows in my new mug (I bought myself a Christmas Eve mug). Instead of reading a book, which was my original plan, I ended up watching one of my favourite films, "It's a Wonderful Life". 

Today is just a quiet day with my Maine Coons. There may be more socially-distanced drinks later with neighbours. I will also be cooking a meal and possibly watching more films or reading. Whatever it is that you decide to do, I hope that you have an amazing day and take care of yourself and stay safe.

I have been reading a lot over the past few months, and I have compiled a short-list of some books that you may enjoy during this festive season. For these winter months, there is nothing more enjoyable than sitting in front of the fire with a hot chocolate while enjoying a good book. 

"The Country Village Christmas Show" by Cathy Lake
Bonnier Books, released 29 October, 2020
This book follows the life of divorcee Clare as she moves back in with her recently-widowed mother and large German Shepherd dog in Little Bramble village. The story focuses on Clare and local vet Sam and his sister who has lasting mobility challenges due to an accident. The story of Clare and Sam and a blossoming relationship is the focus of the story with a short back story about a Christmas show to bring community together. The story is cute in places and held a lot of promises, but I felt it dwelled a little too much on the back story of Clare and Sam and their struggles with trust and loss. It's a good read, but it could have been better.
My review: 7/10

"Together by Christmas" by Karen Swan
Pan Macmillan, released 29 October, 2020
Set in Amsterdam, this novel focuses on Lee, who had been a journalist on the front line, and her young son. The novel has a lot of dimension for a Christmas story, and it really helps you to understand the run up to Christmas that is celebrated in the Netherlands. The story starts with a mystery book left in the bicycle basket and then ends up understanding the back story for Lee and her budding relationships with those around her. The book gave me a sense of the celebrations in Amsterdam and made a good read.
My review: 9/10

"The Winter Garden" by Heidi Swain
Simon & Schuster, released 1 December, 2020
Freya's circumstances change before the winter hits, and she leaves as caretaker of an estate to a new estate in Nightingale Square where she quickly makes friends with the others while working on the Winter Garden. However, there is one man that she does not seem to connect with - artist and sculptor Finn. The story focuses on Freya and her blossoming relationship with the people at her new home while they create this winter garden trail for guests. This book is a perfect winter read; it's less about Christmas, but it is a perfect winter romance book.
My review: 9/10

"Christmas at Lock Keeper's Cottage" by Lucy Coleman
Boldwood Books, released 3 September, 2020
Tollie owns the canal boat that attracts guests for festive fun each year, and his grand-daughter Immi arrives on the scene and wants to make it more special this year. However, a blizzard threatens to cancel their festivities, and Immi's boyfriend Gray is out of the area. The community must come together to make the most of it and to stop the blizzard ruining their plans. Overall, I felt that this book was slow-paced and dragged in places. The ending of the book had the festive Christmas mood, but the beginning and middle was a bit of a struggle to keep interest.
My review: 6/10

"Miracle Creek Christmas" by Krista Jensen
Shadow Mountain Publishing, released 8 September, 2020
Riley moves to a small town to start work as n art teacher. Mark is a firefighter who suffered serious burns to his face and body on the job. He soon bonds with Riley over artwork, in particular as his mother was an artist. He convinces her to help finish his mother's artwork for the nativity. Mark suffers chatting to her since the fire has made a lasting impression on him physically and psychologically. This book does not have a strong Christmas mood, but it is a nice romantic story with characters that learn how to accept each other.
My review: 8/10

"Snowball's Christmas" by Kristen McKenagh
Kensington, released 29 September, 2020
Told from the perspective of the white fluffy kitten named Snowball, this story follows Snowball's human family - Mrs. Tilly (owner of the guest house) and Emily (cook of the guest house). When Mrs. Tilly's newphew Lukas arrives, he starts to make repairs and wants his aunt to sell up and retire. Emily wants to own her own bakery. Snowball attempts to get the two together, even though they often argue and do not realise that they need each other. Again, I did not find this one to be too Christmassy, but a cat as the main character is a little unique in the story.
My review: 5/10

The illuminated light trail at Stourhead in Wiltshire was first realised last year. I was not able to go last year, so it was high on my list this year. Despite booking in September for the earliest slot on its opening day, the November lockdown meant that the event was postponed and my original date was cancelled. I had to rebook for a less-than-convenient day. Luckily, I was able to get to go then and did not book it for the end of December because my area on the fringe of London is now under new restrictions with all other plans cancelled at last minute (thanks, Covid 19). This visit to Stourhead took place last Monday. My visit was thankfully dry and not too cold, and I enjoyed getting out. There have been very few times this year that I have actually been able to get out and do things.

Due to coronavirus, the event was scheduled with social-distancing in mind, so the displays did not encourage much lingering nor crowding. However, there were a couple of tight points where other members of the public seemed to forget that there was a pandemic and got very close to crowding. Despite these two instances, most people were being respectful, but there was a mild and muted anxiety in the air.

We were led down a hill to the greenhouse for the first lights. This little area was a bit narrow with two light-covered archways with people crowding around. This was the first problem area. At the end, this led to a small orchard with trees covered in orbs, snowflakes in the walled garden, and the lit-up greenhouse.

Next, we walked through an illuminated walkway and saw views of the facade of Stourhead house, which was illuminated.

The trail then diverted into the courtyard by this house, and Santa was here. He was socially-distanced inside his little fence, but he could get photographs with you and speak to you if you wanted to tell him what you wanted for Christmas. It was all in mind with safety here.

Next up, we came to illuminated rattan-style displays in the first twelve days of Christmas, surrounded by flames.

Futher along the trail, we saw a few Christmas trees made of sleds.

Then, on to the first larger display of illuminated tulips. This was set to a light show, and they changed colour.

At the end of that was a tunnel of light.

Lit-up gifts decorated the trail.

We even saw some lit-up constellations.

And the trees were aglow with different colours...

...with seats...

...and flying sculptures.

A tunnel of love with red glowing sequin hearts was the next part of the trail to walk through.

This led to an illuminated mistletoe.

We are on the top of the hill before the descent, so we could see the beautiful buildings from the top. These were lit up. It gave us a clue of what to expect below.

Down the trail, the forest was carpeted in lights.

Disco balls hung from illuminated blue and red trees...

...with rattan reindeer and foxes aglow...

...and a shiny Rudolph light hanging on the trail above us, his nose lighting the way.

Around the corner were the final "twelve days of Christmas" illuminated.

We kept seeing the glimpses of the buildings through the trees.

With some lights appearing to fall to the ground around us, sparkling silver strands.

The silhouettes of angels were in the windows of a building along the lake.

A little chapel and building were alight along with illuminated water lillies and the illuminated bridge across a lake, the reflectings adding to the beauty. This was set to a light and sound show that changed colour.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic and anxieties caused by it, I enjoyed my visit to Stourhead for its Christmas light display. It has been the highlight of my month.

Lacock is a village with a medieval monastary-turned-country house in Wiltshire. The village is an attractive with many original timber-framed and stone buildings, and it is maintained by National Trust. The village was first mentioned in the Domesday Book and was a popular settlement due to the wool trade. The abbey and estate were the property of Henry Fox Talbot who was instrumental in the photography field. The village and abbey was used in film and television and is most notable for various "Harry Potter" films, "Fantastic Beasts" film, and "Downton Abbey".

This was my first visit to Lacock, and it was just for a quick walk around the abbey grounds and village as the abbey and house itself is currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. I do hope to return to tour the buildings and museums, so I hope that museums and arts venues can open next year.

I walked around the abbey grounds and abbey first. Although the abbey is shut, there were a couple of places where you could look into a hallway or cloisters in order to see a few Christmas trees that were decorated by local community organisations. 

Afterwards, I walked to the courtyard where there were more Christmas trees and decorations. There is a brewery here, and you could look inside it to see a couple of Christmas trees.

I enjoyed the doorways and decorations that I saw around Lacock and the abbey.

The village does have a few shops, cafes, and restaurants. Some of these remain closed, but I did visit the chocolate shop and a few craft shops.

One of the buildings was selling various jars of jam and meringues outside on the wall.

Unfortunately, the bakery was shut.

It is such an attractive town, and I hope to visit it again as soon as things are opened. Hopefully, I will not have to wait too long.

Each festive season, London's cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and shops offer a selection of festive treats. I love when London's cafes, hotels, and restaurants offer themed seasonal treats. I've tracked a few places down for you this year to help get you in the festive mood and to support our local businesses. I wrote the majority of this article before the new lockdown restrictions broke, so please try to support these businesses (and additional ones) by using takeaway or delivery services. Keep reading and scrolling to see where you can get Christmas-themed and festive treats in London.

First up is Bill's restaurant, which has several branches throughout London. I visited the branch close to Seven Dials. The restaurant are serving up a special festive menu, and one of their desserts is the mousse shaped like a Christmas tree in a flower pot. The flower pot is made out of white chocolate, and the tree is made of a mousse-marshmallow with berry coulis. It sits on top of cookie crumb soil with pumpkin seeds and blueberries dusted with edible metallic paint. Definitely visit on a hungry stomach because the treat is very filling; it's best to share with a friend.

One of my favourite cafes to visit for themed treats in London is Yolkin. I visited them last year, and they had the same treats on offer, minus the macarons. The giant ice cream macarons come in four flavours, which are the same as last year: candy cane snowflake, salted caramel reindeer, Christmas pudding, and Santa belly milk and cookies. I had the salted caramel reindeer this year, but my favourite is the candy cane snowflake. You can see more photographs from last year here: Yolkin Ice Cream Macaron Sandwiches - Christmas.

Fait Maison on Gloucester Road (the one closest to the station) has been offering festive treats for the past couple of years, and I visited last year (Fait Maison Brunch and Holiday Cupcakes) where the selection was different. This year, the cafe has gone with a swan theme, so you will find cupcakes and biscuits with the white swan design. The swan also features on the floral display on their shop front. Other cute treats include gingerbread cake pops, snowflake mousse, and snowflake triple-tiered macarons. There is also a messy hot chocolate, which is served with a festive twist and gingerbread man.

Next up is the Milk Train festive potted Christmas tree ice cream. This is similar to some of their other themed seasonal treats. There are a couple of festive flavours of ice cream to try with it - eggnog or chocolate orange. Not being a fan of either of those flavours, I had chocolate. Green cotton candy (candy floss) is used to create the pine tree with a chocolate stick for the trunk. A sugary snowman sits at the base, and a star is plucked on top. It is very festive indeed.

EL&N (also known as Elan) have also created various festive treats from eclairs printed with Christmas icons and other pastries created in the shape of pink baubles, snowmen, pine cone trees, Santa hats, and pink Christmas trees. EL&N are noted for their wonderful displays that feature a lot of pink, and they recently opened up a new branch at King's Cross St. Pancras station. They have placed the King's Cross Christmas tree in the station this year.

Humble Crumble is a new pop-up that started in London at the beginning of the year. I first visited them in January when they had a pop-up kiosk at an event, and later in the year, they opened up a permanent kiosk at Spitalfields market. They have sense expanded into Borough Market, following one of the surprising successes of 2020. Their crumble really is delicious, and they have been creating seasonal themes, such as this crumble with Christmas trees made from marshmallow. Visitors can customise their crumble with custard or cream and the type of crumble, and so on. Be warned that it can get very messy. They do serve in three sizes, and the one below is a medium.

Peggy Porschen bakery have two cafes - their original on Elizabeth Street and their King's Road cafe. They always offer seasonal treats, and this year is no exception. This year, they are offering a gingerbread cupcake topped with a sugar snowman. Last year, they offered a peppermint cupcake with polar bears of penguins, which you can see here: Peggy Porschen Winter 2019. I was not as keen on the gingerbread one, but it does look very festive, and their shop front always changes with the season. This year, it features gingerbread.

The Treats Club are located at Seven Dials Market, and they sell coffee and doughnuts on the ground floor. For the festive season, they have created nutella-filled doughnuts with salted caramel icing in the shape of Christmas trees. They also have other themed doughnuts.

Doughnut Time, which has several branches in London (the one I walk by most often is the one on Drury Lane), has seasonal doughnuts. The gingerbread one is vegan and is a biscoff biscuit. 

Bubblewrap, one of Chinatown's sought-after bakeries (the ice cream and bubble waffle blended treats), also have their own Christmas treat. This is a bubble waffle wrapped with chocolate ice cream in the shape of a popular red-nosed reindeer. 

Of course, there are more places to get seasonal treats in London. Whipped, known for its cheese cakes, have opened a new cafe on Endell Street and are serving cheesecake slices with shortbread antlers. Soft Serve, located in BoxPark in Shoreditch, are serving ice cream with snowman marshmallows on top. 

Basildon House, located near Reading in Berkshire, sits in 400 acres of pasture and woodland. It is a popular National Trust property to visit in the winter months. My first ever visit to the house was this autumn. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the house is not fully open, but you can read about my visit and see photographs here: Visiting Basildon Park (National Trust, Berkshire): Lockdown Edition. I recently visited Basildon House again in order to see the Christmas displays. Normally, National Trust properties open up with festive flair during December, but it is muted this year. Many properties are simply not open. Other properties have done a little bit of decoration for the holidays, and Basildon Park is one of those. 

The house at Basildon dates from the 18th century from fortunes made in East India. The house passed through several owners in a short space of time, but the house was luckily saved for today's generation by a family who sought to fix it up during a time when such houses were being demolished. The house has been in the care of National Trust since 1978. It has been used as a filming location for the 2005 "Pride and Prejudice", "Dorian Gray" and "Downton Abbey".

The walk up from the stables, which today is the location for the shop and tearoom, is through a little bit of forest up the hill. It was covered with strings of white lights.

The last time I visited Basildon Park was sunny too. It is an attractive-looking property, and I do hope to visit it again when it is fully open.

I had some time before the house opened to look around, and I mainly went to the garden of the house, which I find peaceful and with nice views.

Christmas is always a nice time to visit National Trust properties as they do decorate. This year, however, it was a muted event. But an effort was made, and I enjoyed seeing the house decorated. The entrace room contained a large tree with pink, white, and silver decorations that match the flowers in the room and the wall.

The library off this room was shut up, so the next room to visit was the landing. This area was decorated with red and gold decorations. The stairs were blocked off as only a few rooms could be visited on the ground floor.

The dining room did not have a Christmas tree, but it was lit with moody purple and white lighting with the table laid for a feast.

The octagon room is one of the most unique rooms in the house, and this was the most beautiful room for Christmas with a large tree covered in white lights. It did not have any decorations, though.

The small living room off of the octagon room also did not contain a Christmas tree, but some ornaments were made to look festive with some decorations or lights added to them. A group of stuffed toy bears on the floor appeared to be having drinks with one of them appearing to have had a little too much.

This leads through to the kitchen, which was also decorated.

The final room contained some decorations lit up in the fireplace and also a "tree of books" for this little office room, located off of the main entrance hallway.

I would love to visit Basildon Park again next year and to see it at Christmas. I hope that we are able to do so and hope that the whole house is open.

Today's post features Christmas at Standen House. Standen House is a National Trust property that I visited in the early autumn for the first time this year (A Morning at National Trust's Standen House and Garden (West Sussex): Lockdown Edition). Last June was the first year that I took out annual National Trust membership, and I went to a couple properties that were decorated for Christmas; I really enjoyed these visits and made plans to see even more of them this year. Unfortunately, that did not pan out at all, but I was happy to see that Standen House had part of the house open with a few rooms decorated for Christmas. It was not the usual festive mood, but it was something to help celebrate the season.

Visitors to Standen may not get to enter the house depending on the number of people waiting. Strict rules on social distancing must be obeyed, so the numbers in the house have to be cut, so bear this in mind if planning to visit. 

At the entrance to Standen House are decorative trees made out of yarn with various sewn and knitted ornaments. These decorations and trees were created by people during the lockdown, and the idea is that these trees celebrate the Arts & Crafts movement that Standen House is known for. Some of the stories are told by those who used their creativity during the lockdown.

The trees made a nice centrepiece in the courtyard to look at while waiting to be let into the house.

The trees were decorated in Standen House, and one of the volunteers mentioned that each room in the house usually features a Christmas tree from each decade. This year, the trees in the rooms each had their own different theme. The entrance hall included a video of a party behind the piano, detailing the Christmas parties held at the house, and the tree in this room featured musical instruments.

In the billiard room, the tree seemed to be focused on games. The room includes the billiard table and rocking horse.

Off to the side in the hallway was a room to peer into - a simple cloakroom where the owners of the house would prepare for a winter walk or sled-riding.

The main living room appeared to be decorated for Christmas day with unwrapped piles of gifts and a life-sized Santa. The tree in this room was decorated with lanterns, possibly inspired by Japan as the owners visited the country and eventually moved there.

The below photograph is a closer-up view of the musical Christmas tree.

The stairs in the house were decorsated with lights and pine gardlands, which also created another tree. The upstairs is still closed, as it was earlier in the autumn on my first visit.

The dining room was set for Christmas dinner with the dinner having been finished, signalling a good time to be had judging by the messes on the table. The Christmas tree in this room is decorated with cutlery.

The library room was closed on my first visit due to the inability to keep distance from others. However, it was open on this visit, and we all kept our distance while we looked around the room. The room was decorated with gifts being wrapped, and the Christmas tree was filled with multi-coloured lights.

The next room was the office room at Standen House, and the tree in this room was decorated with cow ornaments. The room was also decorated with wooden cows up near the ceiling, and each of these and the oranments contains a name. All of the cows at Standen House were named, and all of the names were retained in the paperwork. 

I'm not sure I could name a cow "Carol", but they did...!

The next area of the house was for the servants, and this tree and table setting was decorated fror them for Christmas day.

Through this room was the kitchen, which I don't think was open when I last visited, but I could not remember. This room was set up as if a variety of holiday treats, such as cookies, were being made and cooked. 

One of the cottages outside the house had a pretty festive wreath.

I am hoping that things are more "normal" by next Christmas and that I can enjoy some of these houses decorated for Christmas again.