Let’s search for Santa

He’s not due until 24 December but if your little ones are desperate for a sneak preview, Santa will be making several scheduled stops around the Marches before Christmas Day.

Experience a Victorian Christmas at Ironbridge Gorge Museums on 7, 8, 14 & 15 December and enjoy a whole host of activities from carol singing to candle dipping and of course, Santa and the Elves will be there too in their new Grotto.

if you fancy Breakfast with Santa, you can pop into The Squirrel in Ludlow or just visit the grotto for just £2 per child.

On 15 December the big man himself will be making an extra special visit to Bodenhams in Ludlow. Adventure through the door of his workshop to ask if he has all your presents ready to deliver on Christmas Day

Children can meet Santa for a magical 5 minutes in the grotto at Apley Farm Shop on 14-15 & 21-24 Dec 2019 but slots are selling fast so please be sure to book.

If 4 x 4 is your thing, how about a magical adventure by Land Rover through the illuminated woodland to see Santa in his hillside Grotto at Hawkstone Park? From now until 23 December you will be whisked off across the Park, through the Grand Valley, under the Wishing Arch and up the steep hill to Santa’s spectacular network of caves. Booking essential.

For a more old fashioned Christmas, try Rays Farm near Bridgnorth from 14 to 24 December where your little ones can see baby Jesus in the donkeys stable or chat to Father Christmas as he prepares the children’s toys for that magical night. And a real bonus, your children get to meet Rudolph and friends, Frosty and Mistletoe, waiting to pull the sleigh full of presents.

There’s magic in the air at Dudley Zoological Gardens which runs until Christmas Eve and includes a visit to see Santa in his grotto set within the walls of 11th century Dudley Castle. And West Midland Safari Park are putting on a Santa Safari through to 29 December, expect a four-mile Safari drive-through, a snowy Winter Wonderland & a visit to Santa in his Grotto.

Let’s get outdoors

Join the torch-lit procession at the Christmas Carol Service of Bodenham Arboretum on 20 and 21 December but hurry, additional tickets have just been released so you will need to book. Steam in Lights from 10-23 December promises to be a spectacular illuminated adventure along an enchanting Severn Valley with a dazzling extravaganza of magical creatures, sparkling lights, snowfall and thrills, from the warmth and comfort of a historic carriage. Attingham Park near Shrewsbury is offering decorations ‘Inspired by Nature’ this Christmas up until 23 December but please note you will need to pre-book.

Visit our nearby National Trust properties for a whole host of festive walks and trails: there’s Myths, Magic & Mistletoe at Croft Castle from 14-22 December or experience a Georgian Christmas at Berrington Hall from 14-29 December with carriage rides and an outdoor children’s trail. This Saturday 14 December get the whole family outdoors by learning about the wildlife in the garden and how it prepares for the cold winter on the Winter Wonderland Trail at The Weir Garden near Hereford.

Let’s glow!

Brighten up a dark winter’s night with a stroll around the Illuminated Garden at Powis Castle from 13-22 December. Explore the gardens spectacularly lit in a rainbow of colours and glittering with festive cheer.

Weston Park is offering an illuminated trail through the ancient trees and woodland from 13-21 December and from 13-15 December the woods of Himley Hall will be all aglow with light shining through the trees and upwards into the night sky.

The gardens at Witley Court will also be transformed into an illuminated world with light, colour and sound from now until 22 December.

Let’s Get Active

On 28 December take up a challenge and do 5km of Shropshire’s toughest terrain, mud and obstacles with Shropshire Mud Run. The name of the game is The White Run so remember to wear white and get ready for lots of mud over hills, bogs, marsh land, lakes, river crossings, tunnels, mud walls, net crawls, water slides, trenches, head dunks, giant bales and more.

If you love Dancing on Ice, then get your skates on and visit Shrewsbury’s festive skating rink. Located at Love2Stay, this spectacular outdoor rink will be open in the run up to Christmas until 23 December.

And after Xmas is over, when you’re feeling more stuffed than the turkey and you’ve watched all the Christmas specials on TV you can take, it’s time to go outside and soak up the winter landscape. Get dressed up in festive fancy dress for the Shrewsbury Parkrun on 25 December or join the Ludlow Parkrun on 1 January for a brisk 8.30am start.

On 4 January you can Jog off Your Jumper at Attingham Park a family fun-run and the last chance to wear your Christmas jumper as the festive season draws to a close. The run will be approximately 1 mile and pre-booking in advance is essential.

For more details of these events and all the ones we haven’t managed to include (the Marches is a busy place at Christmas time!) please visit the Events page of the website or follow us on Facebook. If you can’t find details on an event, you can get in touch via email