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

[spookysal]

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

Any suggestions?

raspberry if you are going to be in Bristol you might be better of checking out Bath Christmad market, wouldn't be far on the train and very picturesque place!!!! Mad busy though!

dd1 has never iceskated before, will she be ok on a busy rink do you think?

izzy - Did longleat have lots of Christmas things on other than the train and ice skating?

Izzy is it possible to go to Longleat and not see the Santa train? I've just looked and for the four of us it's £36 extra!!! Just don't want dd1 seeing the train and getting upset because she isn't allowed on it

Longleat looks ace, can't wait til DD is old enough to take...
Winchester is always nice at Xmas.

Longleat was just beautiful - I have a 16 year old as well and it is one of the best Christmas things I have done - I dont remember if we saw the train - but there is so much to do that I don't think they will notice not doing it - we did the safari drive, then the zoo part, then the whole house - twice (DCs loved the fairytale people in the house), there is a huge singing christmas tree and some stalls.

It's a Christmas thing with a difference!

We are doing Hyde park hope it isn't too expensive. We will mostly just wander around soaking up the atmosphere rather than do anything. Maybe spend a small fortune on a hot dog

Arboretum at Westonbirt has a winter wonderland, trees all lit up, elves (tiny figures) hiding, lovely mince pies and carolling plus santa wandering about.

Raspberries, the Christmas market in Bristol is lovely but not huge :)

Longleat is FAB even when there isn't a special event on!!! The train is in an actual little station fenced in so you might get away with your DD not noticing it, though, it is a steam one I think, so it does chug in and out...

Thanku!! From what I read in a Christmas mag, the bath Market ends on the 9th, dh and I were looking to be away a couple of weeks later.

The Vyne near Basingstoke has nice Christmas events, would recommend (you don't have to be a member of the National Trust.

Christmas bauble hunt for charity sounds quite nice?

Yes, we were thinking of doing The Vyne one this year.

Hi Raspberry - just seen your post. As others have said, the Bath christmas market is lovely, even if you're there too late for the market, would be worth a trip to Bath as its such a lovely city. I've never been to the christmas market at Bristol.

Our trip last year felt very Christmassy, the shops (even though we didn't go in them) were obviously all decked out for Christmas and we kicked off our day with coffee and toasted panettone at Carluccio's which was lovely. I think if you are big kids and want to feel Christmassy, then it would be hard not to at that time of year.

There are also some really nice bits to Bristol like the waterfront area.

DD was gutted that I missed booking the Santa Train which is a steam train (with a large wooden Santa picture on teh front for Christmas - they run other outings during the year without) run by the Railway Preservation Society (a 2 hour return trip, Santa comes to each carriage, there's rambling guitar players and singers, each kid gets a selection box, adult tickets entitle them to coffee or mulled wine in dining car). There is a little shop - but things like toy trains, Thomas flags etc. No need to buy. (We have done it every 2nd year until this year - I don't want to only do that but DD always asks to go again and I just missed the slot). Adults and children both charged ?17 per trip.

Sorry, that was rambly, but I meant to say that you could check if there is any similar type of thing anywhere near you (I'm in Ireland so I don't know what's over there).

We are going to, what's essentially a NT property, in mid-Dec, where the "Green Santa" will be planting native trees to take home with each family (individual visits) and there is a Narnia wonderland to visit too. Again, while there is a coffee shop on site, nothing really to be bought. (Cost about ?8 for the ticket for DD, adults free).

Thanks for all the replies

Thanks to this thread I've booked tickets to Longleat (without the train or skating) and have found out Bailsdon park (NT) has a winter walk with lights in the evenings.

I've also got a free ticket to Bucklebury farm so will use that for their Christmas activities and stay to take part in their Christmas carols in the barn. So along with a trip to Panto and the cinema I think that's the run up to Christmas organised.

I looked into all the suggestions and we either had things booked on the available days or they were too expensive on top of everything else we are doing. Fab ideas though, that I will put away for next year. Marlow looked amazing!

Thank you all. Glad other people found some good days out as well