Christmassy things to do in the South West

[shirazplease]

Hi

I've been living in Bristol for 2 years now, but this year DD will be 3 so really plan on taking advantage of all things Christmassy. Any suggestions of things we cold do / places to visit in and around Bristol?

Thanks

Shirazplease

Do you need accessiblility?

Some places aren't very accessible

anyhoo - the ice skating/german style market at Cribbs is usually good, I think there is a man in a red suit that you can see too

thanks! Accessibility not an issue, so happy to walk up stairs / squeeze through narrow doorways etc (the places I cursed a couple of years back)

german christmas market in cheltenham is lovely, from mid november

Have a good look through all your local papers, those you buy and make sure you get all the free one's & community papers.

Bristol Zoo always does loads of Christmassy things and has lights and decorations up.

There is a big German-style market in Bath for a week or so in early December - gets very crowded though, so best avoid weekends/evenings.

I think they are meant to be doing an open-air ice rink at Cabot Circus this year as well as at Cribbs, and there's another 'German' market around there too.

There are good child-friendly Christmas shows at the Tobacco Factory (Pinnochio this year), and Bristol Old Vic. There are pantomimes at the Hippodrome (though I find theirs too tied in with TV etc - Barbara Windsor this year), or at Bath Theatre Royal, which is much more traditional I would say better for a little one.

Carol services all over the place - eg by candlelight in the cathedral, but she might be a bit young for that. I think the zoo has a Christmas singing evening.

Cribs are currently constructing santas huge grotto and ice skating rink.

If you don't mind travelling to the forest of dean puzzlewood are having a santa grotto thing and also clearwell caves will be doing a santa style cave trek and meet him thing

brilliant! Thanks all for your help xx

Last year we spent Christmas in Somerset and had a great day doing a Santa Special on the East Somerset railway - may be too far for you to travel, but was extremely festive and great fun.