Soaring Carols and Angles at Salisbury Cathedral - Christmas 2012

Richard and I love to visit cathedrals and Christmas is a lovely time to be there for the carol services sung by the wonderful choirs.

This year we visited Salisbury Cathedral which was splendidly lit by hundred and hundreds of twinkling tea lights and tall pillar candles. Angels high up in the nave greeted us with outstretched wings.

We joined the queue at around 6pm for the 7pm service so we could find a nice seat in the nave. You don't really have to queue if you don't mind where you sit. But the queue, inside in the beautiful cloister, was a happy place to be - possibly helped along by the mulled wine and mince pie stations!

Salisbury cathedral probably has the most beautiful spire I know and this was the view in the morning from our bedroom window - St Finbar's Room, in Sarum College where we bed and breakfasted the night.

We were snug up under the eaves where there are rooms called Quaker Room and Friends' Room, so I felt very much at home. There is a lift so no problem with suitcases. At night the whole cathedral close is locked in at 10.30pm until 7pm in the morning, so you really get a special feel of calm.

The en-suite rooms are simply but comfortably furnished and cosily warm even in the depths of winter - no TV but excellent wi-fi access if you really feel the need for some distractions. The common room for breakfast is a friendly place to meet people and enjoy a cooked or continental breakfast. The chefs will pretty much put together whatever you would like. For more details about staying at Sarum College, click here.