December is here, and it’s time to decorate! If you’ve been following us for a while (if so, thank you), you’ll know that Lucy has to be restrained from filling her house with all the Christmas bells and whistles from November onwards. And that Claire, our resident Grinch, is dragged out in mid-December to find her festive cheer.
However, we meet in the middle when it comes to the Christmas tree, and for us, it has to be natural, a tradition that goes back years in both our families. So we turn on the Christmas music, light the candles, warm up the wine and unwrap the precious glass baubles, the flashy lights, and the new handcrafted reindeer we couldn’t resist. Not to mention those homemade cut-outs from nursery days, stuck together with sticky tape and string that we’ve been trying to throw away for years, but the children still insist on hanging.
We want to share some of this Christmas magic with you, so we’ve sourced nine local farms and nurseries where you can find the perfect fit. Happy hunting!
IN TOWN
Farmers Greengrocers
So well established in Ludlow, you won’t find them online, but you will find them on the market regularly, or you can visit their shop on Mill St. As well as a choice of Christmas trees, you’ll find a wide range of Christmas flowers, plants and all your fresh veg for festive cooking.
WHERE: 1 Mill St, Ludlow SY8 1AZ
WHEN: 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday
CONTACT: 01584 873532
The Fruit Basket
Loved by locals and with a loyal customer base, the Fruit Basket sells Christmas trees, natural wreaths, bird wreaths, fresh fruit, vegetables and a range of fresh dairy products. They will deliver but you’ll need to check in advance.
WHERE: 2/3 Church St, Ludlow
WHEN: 8.30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4 pm Saturday
CONTACT: 01584 874838
Ludlow Homecare
The garden shop at Ludlow Homecare is a great place to pick up seasonal seeds, bulbs and plants. We’re regular visitors at LGL. They are selling potted Christmas trees this year, around 1m high. Delivery is FREE for any orders over £50. If you spend less than £50 delivery is £5 if you’re in Ludlow and £10 outside of Ludlow.
WHERE: Ludford Bridge Industrial Estate, Temeside, SY8 1PE
WHEN: 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday
CONTACT: 01584 874554
OUT OF TOWN
Farlow Farm Nursery
A firm LGL favourite, the family run Farlow Farm sells homegrown Christmas Trees and handmade wreaths. We love going over the hill with the kids and it’s our annual challenge trying to squeeze the tree and everyone into the car once we’ve picked our tree!
WHERE: Oreton, Cleobury Mortimer, DY14 0TZ
WHEN: 9 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Saturday
CONTACT: Tel: 01746 718688 or email: sales@farlowfarmnursery.co.uk or find them on Facebook
Frank P Matthews Tree Shop
This well-renowned nursery sells ready-cut and potted trees and offers delivery. They are also holding a Christmas Fair in the Tree Shop on the evening of Thursday, 8 December 2022 (see our WHAT’S ON page for more details), where you’ll find locally handmade products and crafts from local stallholders.
WHERE: Berrington Court,Tenbury Wells,WR15 8TH
WHEN: Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5pm
CONTACT: 01584 812800 or email: treeshop@fpmatthews.co.uk
Salvaged Ltd
Pick up a freshly cut tree, beautiful hand made wreaths and a unique vintage gift at this beautiful little shop just off the A49. They even offer locally roasted coffee by the fire when you visit, the perfect pit-stop.
WHERE: Featherknowle Farm, Ashford Bowdler, SY8 4AQ
WHEN: Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm
CONTACT: Call 01584 831800 or email: salvagedltd@mail.com
The Plant Centre
If you’re looking for a Christmas tree and all the decorations, this may be the right choice for you. This family-run, independent garden centre in Bromfield sits just off the A49 next to Ludlow Farmshop and behind the Clive Inn. They pride themselves on always having something new and different and their shop is packed with Christmas decorations and gifts.
WHERE: Bromfield, Ludlow, SY8 2JR
WHEN: Monday to Sunday 9am to 5pm
CONTACT: Call 01584 856873
Trees in the Dale
You know Christmas is just around the corner when Trees in the Dale posters start popping up along the A49! This local farm in Corfton sells ‘luxury non-needle dropping’ Christmas trees, handmade wreaths and fun reindeer decorations.
WHERE: Hale farm, Corfton, Craven Arms SY7 9DF
WHEN: Monday to Sunday 9 am to 7 m
CONTACT: Call 07966 392023 or email: john@johncaine.com
FIR-THUR AFIELD
Apley Farm Shop
As well as finding local estate, fresh Nordmann Firs at this award winning farmshop outside Bridgnorth, you can also visit The Apley Kitchen, Paint & Create, Scotty’s Animal Park, Big Little Things, Moongate Plant Centre & Apley Playbarn. And on selected dates this month, you can enjoy a cooked breakfast before visiting Santa in his grotto with a professional photographer to capture that special moment.
WHERE: Bridgnorth Rd TF11 9EF Norton
WHEN: 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Sunday
CONTACT: Call 01952 581002 or email: enquiries@apleyfarmshop.co.uk
Dinmore Hill Christmas Trees
Dinmore have been growing Christmas trees in Herefordshire for 25 plus years. You can cut a tree yourself, reserve well in advance (tip for next year), or drop in to quickly pick up a fresh pre-cut tree. There are two sites:
WHERE & WHEN: Dinmore Hill Christmas Trees, HR4 8ED
WHEN: 10am to 5pm, 9am on Saturday
WHERE & WHEN: Festive Farm Weekends, Wellington, HR4 8AP
WHEN: every weekend 9am to 4pm
CONTACT: call Davina on 07972 039715 or Colin on 07703 575444
and, don’t forget to recycle
Traditionally, the twelfth night is the time to take down your tree and all your festive decorations. It’s a big debate whether that’s the 5th or 6th of January, depending on whether or not you count Christmas as day one. In our house, we also have the tradition that any decorations left up after the Twelfth night (it’s the 5th for us!) have to stay up all year round.
To recycle your natural tree:
- Remove all your lights and decorations.
- Place by the side of your green bin if under 5 feet.
- If your tree is over 5 feet tall, please cut it into sections and put it in your green bin.
For every tree recycled in Shropshire, Veolia will donate to charity. Click HERE for a quick video on how to recycle your natural tree.
This article was originally posted 2 December 2022.
