Christmas these days seems to be a lot like marmite – some people love it and just can’t get enough of it (like me). Then there’re the people who seem to hate it with every fibre of their being. However, I’m all about the fun and festivities and actually enjoy the run up to the big day more than the day itself. I love making the Christmas cake, deciding what to get people for their presents, going to many, many Christmas markets around the country and indulging WAY too much on the yummy festive foods! Incase you love Christmas as much as we do, here are some of our favourite UK Christmas Events & Activities for 2019.
If you are struggling to find your inner child this Christmas, here are a few things you could do – either by yourself, with friends or even with the family to help get you in the Christmas spirit…
Christmas Wreath Making
Wednesday 20th November 2019 – The Daylesford Garden Workshop, Daylesford near Kingham, Gloucestershire, GL56 0YG – 9.30am – 1pm – £125 per person
There really isn’t anything more festive than making your own Christmas wreath, and what a great way to get in to the Christmas spirit.
Get inspired to create a beautiful wreath at this festive workshop at Daylesford farm in the stunning Cotswolds. The knowledgeable florists on hand will show you how to make these seasonal wreaths and garlands using natural foliage found right there at the Daylesford farm. Whether you are a novice or a beginner, this is something every one can enjoy!
Hogwarts In The Snow – Warner Bros Studio Tour
16th November 2019 to 26th January 2020 – Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR
This one is VERY popular so if this takes your fancy, make sure you book as soon as you can. It does get very bust so expect lots of people, whenever you go but it is so worth it! There really isn’t anything more magical than experiencing Christmas at Hogwarts. You’ll get to experience Christmas in the wizard-ing world as you wander through the great hall and discover the behind the scenes of how film makers created the fire, ice and snow seen in the oh so famously loved films. We did this tour last year and it was AMAZING!! Tip – as you get to the main doors to the great hall, they will ask if it’s anyone’s birthday…make sure one of you say yes, as you then get to go through the door before anyone else which makes the experience so much better!!
Christmas At Kew Gardens London
20th November 2019 – 5 January 2020, 5pm – 10pm – Kew Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE
A magical place to be this Christmas is Kew Gardens. The gardens are to be festooned with millions of illuminated globes that will twinkle in the night sky, you can’t get much more magical than that… Yes you can, you’ll see singing trees, trees wrapped in ribbons of light and the amazing tree that’s been made from over 360 old wooden sledges. If that wasn’t good enough, you can then warm up in the fire garden, tucking into delicious roasted chestnuts and mulled wine. And thats not even it – you can then head over to the Palm House where there’ll be a colourful, kaleidoscopic light show and a festive fairground complete with a Victorian carousel and of course… Santa.
Non Alcoholic Cocktail Masterclass
Thursday 28th November 2019 – Daylesford near Kingham, Gloucestershire, GL56 0YG – 5.30-7.30pm – £25 per person.
In this 2 hour workshop you will learn how to create delicious, non-alcoholic cocktails for the festive season.
You’ll learn how herbs can be an ingredient or garnish and how you can unlock their individual scents, including the much loved party trick of being able to set fire to rosemary or orange peel and things like how to layer various levels of punchiness for an added kick in your cocktails. Tasters are offered throughout the class and you get to leave with your very own bottle of Borago to experiment with when you get back home.
Christmas Carol Concert at St Paul’s Cathedral
Tuesday 10th December 2019 – St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD – £10 per person.
In aid of Cancer Research UK, the Christmas Carol Concert at St Paul’s Cathedral is bringing together musicians and actors for an evening of Christmas festivities. What a beautiful way to get in the Christmas spirit whilst also helping out a very good charity in this stunning location.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
21st November 2019 – 5th January 2020 – 10am – 10pm everyday
Obviously Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to the Winter wonderland at Hyde Park. With everything from Christmas carols, an ice rink, a traditional fair ground, festive food and drink, there is something for everyone. However, if you do plan to go, make sure you book well in advance as it does get very busy and tickets become much harder to come by the closer it gets. Plus, for you creative types, there are things like ice sculpture workshops for you to try…there is even going to be karaoke and a comedy club too!
Eden Project Winter Festival
Eden Project, Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall, PL24 2SG – 24 November and 30 December 2018
If you are looking for amazing activities this Christmas, this is definitely one of this year’s must-see/do Christmas events. The Eden Project is stepping up their Christmas sparkle this year with a meet and greet with Father Christmas and his elves. He will be reading stories to the children by the fireside and you can then head outside to see his real reindeer who will be roaming around the grounds. There is also going to be an outdoor ice rink, which will be available to use from October until February 2018. There is so much on offer as well but we wouldn’t want to give it away. A great trip to take the kids this festive season.
Santa’s Grotto – Edinburgh
16th November – 24th December 2019
Without a visit to Santa, Christmas just wouldn’t be the same… no matter your age! If you can, you should definitely try to visit at least one Santa’s grotto this festive season, and if you can make it to the one in Edinburgh, you won’t be disappointed. The perfect way to get everyone into the festive spirit, with a meet and greet with the man himself. You will be able to listen to him tell a magical tale and, if you’re good, you may even receive an early Christmas gift. While you’re there visiting Santa, you could also have a ride on the Helter Skelter (for all ages) and warm yourself up with some mulled wine and/or hot chocolate.
.jpg)
Go Ice Skating
There are so many places you can visit this Christmas to enjoy a bit of ice skating with friends and family, however, this year’s most popular destination seems to be for Caerphilly Castle in Wales, which has a huge ice rink inside its grounds – from just £5 per person until 9th December 2019. Other amazing ice skating locations include…
– The Royal Pavilion in Brighton – from £10 for adults until 13th January 2020.
– Winchester Cathedral – from £11 for adults & £6.95 for children until 2nd January 2020.
– Hampton Court Palace – from £14.50 for adults and £10.50 for children until 6th January 2020.
– The Royal Crescent in Bath – £11 for adults and £10 for children until 6th January 2020.
Indoor Skiing/Sledging
Indoor skiing facilities seem to be popping up everywhere, so there really is no need to go abroad to get your adrenaline rush for winter sports…
– Stockeld Park – North Yorkshire – 1.2km Nordic ski trail through an illuminated forest – from £12 until 7th January.
– The Snow Dome in Tamworth
– Chill Factor in Manchester
– The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead
– Snow Factor in Glasgow
– Chill Factore in Manchester.
– Curl Runnings in London – the place to go if you fancy trying your hand at curling in the festive, neon-lit curling lanes. Not to mention the steel drum bands and the delicious hot-buttered rum (adults only).
Leave a Reply