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Christmas

Christmas day out that doesn't involve shopping .. Ideally a winter wonderland kind of place. Does such a thing exisit?

40 replies

spookysal · 26/11/2012 23:22

I want to take dd1 out for a really nice Christmassy day. But now one that just involves buying stuff.

Any suggestions?

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BeaWheesht · 26/11/2012 23:32

Whereabouts are you?

We love going to Edinburgh - see the lights, have a shot on the ice rink, get go chocolate at the German market and go to the fair. Loads of places do things like that though .

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cazza2878 · 26/11/2012 23:33

I've got tickets for lapland UK. Not cheap but meant to be amazing and has fantastic reviews.
There is Hyde park winterwonderland but its been asked about on here before and not had great feedback.

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lolalotta · 27/11/2012 07:09

We hope to go to Bath on Ice this year...do any cities near you have an outdoor ice rink opening up at all? And the hot chocolate... Grin

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 27/11/2012 07:22

National Trust have various Christmas days at their properties.

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Redstockingswillstopsanta · 27/11/2012 10:48

Longleat,have an ice rink,singing tree,characters dressed up Peter Pan,Snowwhite etc and there is a santa train but you need to book.

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spookysal · 27/11/2012 19:49

We are in Berkshire. Would love to do Edinburgh but it's a bit far!

Absolutely gutted I didn't know about Longleat earlier. I think dd1 would be too tired to go after school (just started reception and feeling exhausted most days) and the weekends are fully booked. Must remember for next year.

Do you have to be a member of National Trust to go to their Christmas Events?

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bigTillyMint · 27/11/2012 19:51

Come up to London and go ice-skating?

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Gumps · 27/11/2012 19:52

Go to winter wonderland in Hyde park. Free to get in and I just love the feel of the place. Lots of rides and ice skating .

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PenfoldRocks · 27/11/2012 19:57

If you're near longleat, look at Westonbirt for an evening thing, or how about a 'santa special' on the local railway - steam train with FC. They have these from shepton mallet or Avon Valley in Bitton.

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Speedos · 27/11/2012 21:25

I'm going to try the Hyde park one this year and will report back!

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spookysal · 27/11/2012 21:32

I really want to go to Hyde park but the cost is putting me off - I've read it turns into an expensive day out. Would love to hear what you think Speedos when you've been.

I'm not that close to Longleat Penfold, I'm in Reading

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ChippyMinton · 27/11/2012 23:28

Visit santa in the grotto at Painshill Park.
Or a day out in Windsor - there's an outdoor (but undercover) ice rink, and it's just nice for a wander around.

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spookysal · 28/11/2012 00:39

Chippy Painshill park looks amazing but all booked up (except for Tuesday 18th when dd1 is at school) Sad

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OhDearNigel · 28/11/2012 00:44

We went to Hyde Park last year - it was very expensive to eat/drink and it's basically a glorified "get your money" operation. The rides were £2 a pop Shock

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Bearandcub · 28/11/2012 00:51
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iloveholidays · 28/11/2012 02:47

I think there is an ice rink at the Winchester Christmas market...?

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PenfoldRocks · 28/11/2012 09:15

Ooops, sorry! But the Santa Specials seem to go on most local railways; we were planning to go on East Lancs railway at in-laws, but was fully booked.
How about Legoland or similar? Most theme parks seem to do a Christmas-themed day pass

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ArtexMonkeyDude · 28/11/2012 09:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LolaLadybird · 28/11/2012 23:00

Last year, we did a Christmas day out with the children which involved ice-skating in the morning (temporary rink), lunch at Giraffe and then onto cinema in the afternoon for a christmassy film (we went to see Arthur Christmas). DC's were 4 and 6 and both loved it so we are planning the same format this year. We are in Somerset so went to Bristol but I would imagine there must be something similar near you.

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izzyishavingababyAGAIN · 28/11/2012 23:21

longleat is amazing, we went last year, we were there all day and evening, and we didnt do skating or Santa train, its £4.50 in tescos couchers if you have any,

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izzyishavingababyAGAIN · 28/11/2012 23:22

We lef twinter wonderland in Hyde Park last year after less then 10 minutes, it was awful, packed, DCs tantrumming because they couldnt move.

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izzyishavingababyAGAIN · 28/11/2012 23:23

spooky longleat really is worth the drive, it took us 2 hours to get there and I would go again (except I am 36 weeks pregnant and cant book anything)

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RosemaryandThyme · 28/11/2012 23:39

Hi

Andover has an ice-rink (not much else).

Montisfont (between Romsey and Andover) NT, star spangled winter christmasssy thing going on all through Dec - google NT.

Wyevale Garden Centres - Tea or breakfast with Santa comming to your table, stroll through wonderland photos and pressie (around £8 - parents can go free if they don't eat !)

Alesford Watercress line winter train journey's (mince pies on board and the fat controller santa version)

Zoo - Marwell (about an hour from you, just south of Winchester) - magical grotto experiance and all animals - pricy but soooo would love to do this.

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RaspberrysAndIcecream · 29/11/2012 06:49

LolaLadyBird
dh and I are planning on going to Bristol in December, this may sound odd but does it feel chistmasy there? We don't have any dc but are big kids at heart, was it a nice place to be?
We read that theres a little Christmas Market - is that any good?
Sorry for the interigation! Grin Thanks

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 29/11/2012 07:34

If you are in Reading I woukd recommend Winchester Chritmas Market and Ice Rink, you need to book the skating at weekends. It does get very busy, I'd go early or late.

Watercress Line Santa Special is good (Alton-Alresford) again need to book.

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