New data from LNER has revealed the top 3 most festive destinations in the East of England, with Cambridge named the second most festive destination in all of England and Scotland.
The study ranked 46 towns and cities in the Festive Town Index. It looked at how people in each region celebrate Christmas (based on a survey of 2,000 adults), how early the Christmas lights are switched on, how many people search for a festive trip to each place, how many Christmas events are on within five miles, and how many cosy pubs have a real fire. Each factor was weighted and combined to give a final score out of 100.
You can see the full research here: https://www.lner.co.uk/destinations/travel-inspiration/christmas-traditions/
The top 3 most festive destinations in the East of England
- Cambridge – 69.2/100
- Norwich – 53.1/100
- Peterborough – 40.4/100
Christmas in the East of England
- Cambridge ranks highest in the region with a score of 69.2/100, and second out of all 46 destinations nationally. It has the highest festive events score of any destination in the index, with 446 events within five miles. It’s also the first in the region to switch on its Christmas lights (15 November), and gets an average of more than 66,000 festive searches a month, far more than anywhere else in the region.
- Norwich takes second place (53.1/100). It has the region’s second-highest festive events score, with 352 events within five miles, and is the second-most searched festive destination in the region. Its lights are switched on on 19 November, and from 11 to 20 December the Christkindl Market turns Chapelfield Gardens into an alpine-style winter village.
- Peterborough places third (40.4/100). Its lights are switched on in Cathedral Square on 20 November, and from 26 November to 6 January, more than 100 decorated trees fill Peterborough Cathedral for its Christmas Tree Festival.
East of England’s favourite Christmas traditions
- No region loves Christmas music more. 23% say carols and festive music are one of their favourite parts of the season, against 15.9% nationally.
- The East of England is firmly in the sprout camp. One in three can’t imagine Christmas without Brussels sprouts, the highest of any region. It’s also the region that loves a leftover sandwich the most (14.5%, against 10.1% nationally).
- East Anglians are among the most patient. 13.5% say Christmas doesn’t start until Christmas Eve, joint-highest with the South East.
David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: “Christmas means something a little different in every community across the LNER route. Whether it’s what belongs on the plate or the traditions we cherish, every region, town or city has its own customs and festive favourites.”
“This year, we wanted to celebrate with a guide to the places where this special season really comes alive, inspiring people to explore new destinations and discover what makes Christmas unique. Travelling by train means leaving the winter motorway traffic jams behind, relaxing from the moment you step onboard, and arriving right in the centre of the best festive towns and cities.”
For more information, please see the full report here:
https://www.lner.co.uk/destinations/travel-inspiration/christmas-traditions/
