A TRULY MAGICAL CHRISTMAS IN THE NATIONAL FOREST
Holly, mistletoe and trees are all linked to Christmas and what better place to both enjoy a packed programme of festive events and get your Christmas tree than The National Forest.
In the heart of the woodland within Conkers lies a truly magical woodland grotto where for just seven days in December Santa will be waiting. All good girls and boys will be invited to travel on the festive train, weave their way through the Forest to reach Santa’s cosy log cabin and receive a present. All good mums and dads will receive a warming glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. Places are restricted to ensure it is a magical experience for children, so booking is essential. Dates to see Santa include 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd December.
Conkers will also be hosting four Christmas Party Nights throughout December, the panto favourite Treasure Island on 16th and 17th December and a beautiful candlelit carol service on 18th December. Conkers rangers will be running activities during the first three weekends in December where children can make woodland creature Christmas cards, natural tree decorations and fantastic Santa hats. There will also be a free self-led trail to discover some amazing facts about the winter wonderland.
Visitors to The National Forest can pick up unusual presents at the Victorian Christmas Fayre and Farmers Market on 24th and 25th November and 16th December at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, Swadlincote or at Rosliston Forestry Centre Christmas Gift Fair on 2nd December.
Santa and his Lapland friends will be in the seasonal Snibston grotto giving out special gifts every December weekend in the run-up to Christmas and then every day from 20-24th December. The award-winning interactive discovery park will also host a craft fair on 3rd December where there will be Christmas gifts for sale and craft activities for children.
Young people can make their very own decorated holly wreath in time for Christmas at Snibston’s Holly Wreath event on 9th and 10th December. There will be a further fun-filled craft day making baubles and other decorations on 21st December.
Calke Abbey will be holding a trees and carols evening on 1st December and for the first three weekends in December visitors can follow the delightful Christmas tree trail around the gardens, take part in Christmas activities and pop into Santa’s grotto.
Children can get creative in a Christmas Craft Workshop at the National Memorial Arboretum on 17th December, which will also host a Christmas Concert in its Millennium Chapel on 26th December. Another music event where the acoustics are amazing will be Music in the Kiln - A Christmas Jamboree at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum on 2nd December.
Spend a lovely Christmas weekend at Donington le Heath Manor House on 9th and 10th December where there will be traditional entertainment, displays and Christmas crafts. Classics restaurant at the Manor House Barn will be serving Christmas lunch Tudor Style both for this weekend and for the following weekend 16 and 17 December.
Or if all this pre-Christmas excess is too much, visitors to Rosliston Forestry Centre on 16th December can enjoy a bracing guided walk followed by a warm-up of mulled wine and mince pie in the restaurant.
Finally, where better to get your Christmas tree than The National Forest! Real Christmas trees are available during December from the Forestry Commission at Rosliston Forestry Centre and Sence Valley Forest Park as well as the National Memorial Arboretum and Forest Timber, near Conkers Waterside in Moira.
