As we hurtle towards the festive season, keeping the family entertained is high on the list of priorities. We’ve been doing a little digging to see what’s out there – and there’s plenty going on. We’re lucky to have a very diverse range of events and activities happening locally between now and New Year. Here’s a sample.
All fun at the Christmas Fayres
Kicking off the fun on Friday 30th November, 4pm – 6pm is Lucton School Christmas Fayre. Always a busy event, you will find local food and drink, crafts, Christmas trees, children’s activities and a chance to visit Santa. Free admission.
Hampton Court Castle’s 10th Annual Christmas Fair begin on Friday 30th November and continues until Sunday 2nd November and runs from 10:30am – 5pm. An opportunity to soak up the atmosphere in this beautiful castle, decorated with real Christmas trees, open fire roaring. There’ll be local produce to eat and buy, and lots of ideas for unique Christmas gifts. Admission charge.
On Saturday 1st December, from 10am, Much Wenlock Christmas Fayre has over 100 stalls selling all sorts of goodies. Who could resist feeling festive when there are brass bands, choirs, street theatre and entertainers, Santa Claus, donkey rides, children’s entertainment, carols by candlelight held in The Square and more on offer? Free admission.
Father Christmas on one of his many stops around Shropshire
Father Christmas will be busy in December – but you can track him down in his workshop at Croft Castle on the first three weekends in December between 10am and 4pm. You’ll need to book, check the website for details. There’s something for all the family at Croft this Christmas. The theme is on 1918 as the post-war spirit will be brought to life in the castle with hand-made decorations and traditional toys decorating the rooms. You can sing along to carols, and discover how families would have celebrated Christmas just after the end of the war. Admission charge.
On Saturday 1st December, Tenbury Wells Mistletoe Festival and Santa Parade promises to be a day of great entertainment, indoors and outdoors, 10am – 6.30pm expect market stalls, Morris dancers, Tenbury talented dancers, storytelling and willow craft making, Appearances will be made by Men in Harmony male choir, Crowning of the Mistletoe Queen, Holly Prince, Mistletoe Maidens and Holly Henchmen. In addition, there is Loki’s Challenge, Druid ceremony, world record attempt Kiss-A-Thon and a Santa Parade. Free admission.
Spot the birdie at Queenswood Country Park, Leominster
If you fancy a little fresh air with your festivities, why not pop along to the Wildlife Watch: Wild Christmas Party at Queenswood Country Park on Sunday 2nd December? Have a go at nature-based games and meet some wonderful wildlife from a rescue centre. There are lots more Christmas events at Queenswood, including nature’s Christmas decorations and a Christmas grotto..
You’ll need Santa’s sleigh for all the activities happening on 2nd December. In fact, you can see Rudolph and co with the sleigh loaded with presents, at Rays Farm Country Matters from Sunday 2nd December and each weekend until Christmas, plus Christmas Eve. Please book early!
Enchantment at Witley Court
Moor Park School Christmas Fayre is on Wednesday 5th December, 2pm-5pm. Delicious locally made cakes and produce, soft furnishings, and ideas for presents for all ages. Café, real live reindeer and Santa’s grotto (small charge for this). Relax and enjoy some top notch Christmas shopping in this elegant rural setting. Free admission.
Witley Court and Gardens is holding its very first Enchanted Witley event this year, on Thursday 6th December 4.30pm – 9pm. Experience light, colour and sound as Witley Court is transformed into an illuminated world. Follow the trail through the gardens, with fairy lights, floating umbrellas, friendly fairies and a talking tree. There is also the recreation of the famous Witley Court Christmas tree adorned with jewels. A glass of mulled wine, a toasted marshmallow, festive music and children’s fairground rides ensure there’s something for everyone. Please book early!
Little ones can dance the night away as well as play traditional games, fuelled by a festive feast, (6pm – 8pm) at the Christmas Party with Santa at Ludlow Kitchen on Friday 7th December (please book), and visit Santa in his Grotto on 8th and 9th December.
let’s go a carolling at Stokesay Castle
If singing’s your thing, get in tune at Stokesay Castle with Carolling at the Castle, 6pm – 9pm. Sing your heart out in the atmospheric Great Hall and enjoy some Medieval music too. Please book.
Blists Hill Victorian Town is holding its Victorian Christmas celebration on 8-9th and 15-16th December, 10 – 4pm. See the town decorated for Christmas, enjoy music and carols, activities, gifts, Santa and his reindeer, and falconry – and plenty more to keep everyone happy!
On Sunday 9th December, Aardvark Books at Brampton Bryan will be holding their Christmas Fair in true style, as always! Visit their market of over 20 crafts, antiques, jewellery, gift and vintage stalls, with live music by Dutch Lewis and his Trio who will be playing tunes from his Christmas Songbook. Homemade Christmas Soup, fresh homemade cakes, mince pies, a complimentary glass of mulled wine, just to tempt you into feeling festive!
Toddler and infant fun at Theatre Severn Shrewsbury
Theatre Severn Shrewsbury: join in the fun with Santa’s Elves and the Shoemaker, 14th – 24th December, a wonderful show with original songs and energetic choreography, audience participation and gifts for all of the children. Aimed at age 2-7 years. Details of times and ticket prices on website.
The pantomime this year at the Regal Cinema in Tenbury Wells is Cinderella – and it’s their biggest one yet! Let your hair down and join in the frolics, 18th December – 3rd January.
Ludlow Assembly Rooms will be screening Miracle on 34th Street (U), a romantic tale of the myth of Santa Claus, on Sunday 23rd December at 11am. Please book.
Source: Duckworth Worcestershire Trust
At 2pm on Boxing Day, and on 28th and 30th December and 1st January, Duckworth Worcestershire Trust will be holding The Big Christmas Swan Feed! They’ll be giving out floating swan pellets for free to say thank you for supporting their project during the year. The mayor, Jabba Riaz, will be helping out on 30th. If you’d like to give the swans an extra Christmas treat, bring along some sliced green lettuce, sliced sweetheart cabbage, spinach, watercress or chopped curly kale.
Have a go at Festive Winter Crafts, 3-11 year olds, at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre on 27th December, 11am – 3pm. Make wood slice snowmen and penguins, snow globes, book hedgehogs, sewn snowflakes, melted snowman and textured snow paint.
And for something really different, why not join in with Leintwardine Ciderfects Orchard Wassailing on 6th January 2019? Wassailing is an ancient tradition of blessing fruit trees in the hope they’ll provide a bountiful harvest. The group of revellers will process up Watling Street accompanied by sings, poetry, lots of noise and a wassail cup of cider. Starts at the village green at 4pm and finishes at Wheatstone on Dark Lane with a bonfire, sausages, mulled cider and apple juice (small charge payable – all proceeds to village good causes). Costumes, lanterns, torches and any means of making lots of noise are encouraged!
What a happy way to round off what we hope will have been a jolly festive holiday with friends and family!
