Christmas day out that doesn't involve FC or ice-skating

[HiccupHaddockHorrendous]

Every year, my sisters and I take ds away for a Christmas weekend.

He's 10 now and not up for sitting on FC's knee and I'm not a fan of ice-skating (though, I could let him take a friend to skate with instead of forcing me to do it!).

We live in south Wales and am happy to travel up to about 2 hours.

Any suggestions?

Horse riding perhaps? Not sure a stable would do it over Christmas, but obviously the horses still need to be fed and watered, so perhaps. Just throwing the idea out there.

Where in south Wales - could you do dry slope ski-ing at Llangrannog ? Or a panto would be traditional :)

Birmingham Christmas market? lots of great food/stalls and ice skating where you can watch from the sidelines (and drink hot Gluhwien)

I'll suggest horse-riding (but I'm a wimp and not that keen on horses ).

Skiing is a great idea (I spent a lot of my childhood on that exact ski slope ) and I might possibly have a go too! Oh and I have friends near there who might come too so ds won't be the only child having to entertain his mother and aunties .

I'll look into Birmingham Christmas Market. Does it get very busy? We went to winter wonderland in Hyde park last year and it was so hideously busy that I have been put off for life.

Birmingham Christmas market does get really busy but it's really big too- last year it stretched from the rep to the Bull Ring entrance so you can get through. You could also see a show or a panto while you are here?

If you like skiing there is also the snowdome in Telford which isn't too far away.

Are there any theme parks open for Christmas? Drayton Manor, Oakwood?

Our fave Christmas weekend here is to visit Europa Park, which they decorate for Christmas, have Gluhwein stands, hot chestnuts etc. It's so Christmassy!

Surely there must be a theme park in the UK that's cottoned on??

Or would there be some Centreparcs running Christmas themed activities?

Any steam trains nearby? Our local one does christmas specials.

Longleat safari parker something similar?

www.longleat.co.uk/christmas

Oops... 'Or'

Severn Valley Railway? They do a Santa trip but there is plenty else to see. You go on the old steam trains and can get off at Bewdley to see the lights and the shops. Lots of roasting chesnuts and the like! Lovely day out.

Drayton Manor opens but just Thomasland I think

the market does get busy, especially nearer to Christmas, but as PP said, it's huge so people are moving all the time.

whatever you decide to do, have a great time!

Thanks for the suggestions!

Will start researching

We are doing Brecon Railway (Santa may feature however ), the panto in Porthcawl, the Christmas market in Cardiff Bay 7-9th Dec, the deer feed in Margam Park (although again, Santa is there but not in a knee-sitting capacity). Also, Cardiff castle have a grotto but when I looked on on the website I noticed they are doing a few Christmas events that aren't the traditional queue up with the elves for four hours and then get ripped off with a present and a photo for £40. Might be worth a look?