Christmas activities/days out in South Wales

[Whitecandle]

I am a huuuge Christmas fan. And now I have a son, I really want to set traditions from the very first year.

I would like to visit a few places throughout December to really get us all in the Christmas spirit, DS will only be 11 months so I know he won't understand but still would like to do some things.

Can anyone recommend any places/activities in South Wales?

I will be booking a visit to Santa's Grotto near me which looks good but other than that have no ideas.

Thank you

there is a christmas market on at Dinefwr, the description says its on the 23 - 25 November, 10am - 5pm – Traditional Christmas Fair | Pick up something beautifully handmade or locally sourced for Christmas at Dinefwr’s biggest event of the year. Enjoy choirs and bands in the music marquee, eat your fill in the bustling courtyard and don’t miss the festive entertainment in Newton House. x

Gower Christmas trees have reindeer and usually Santa etc gowerfreshchristmastrees.co.uk/

Dinefwr is lovely - we go every year to the fair though it gets very busy - go early or later in the day.

Do they do anything at Castel Coch? It’s been a long time since I lived in S Wales, but it’s such a lovely location.

Dinefwr is a little too far for us. It's about 60 mile away (1.5 hours) I'm more Caerphilly. Which is a shame as that sounds lovely!! The exact thing I'm looking for!!

So castle coch would be a great idea!! I'll look into it!

I know you said you'd visit another grotto, but the Father Christmas grotto at Cardiff Castle is amazing and feels very 'real'. I think St Fagans museum have a Christmas Carol singing evening. Winter wonderland in Cardiff is ok. I think Tredegar House in Newport and Insole Court in Cardiff both have Christmas events. The Christmas market in Cardiff is lovely not much for the baby, but lots for you! When my son was around 1 his favourite part of Christmas was looking at Christmas decorations, so we visited lots of shops and garden centres to choose some new ones, he loves seeing the decorations on the tree now that he picked when he was a baby (he's 4 now).
I love Christmas too, so I'm always on the look out for new ideas

St Fagan’s is lovely at Christmas. They used to do torchlit evenings where the cottages were lit up.

there is a christmas market on at castle [[https://caerphillychristmasmarket.co.uk/]] on the 7th-8th december x

@ApocalypseCow thank you for all the recommendations. I work in Rookwood Hospital opposition insole court so will pop over nearer the time and have a look at their events!

Thank you for all your recommendations. Will definitely look into them all!

Tredegar House have a Father Christmas every year but you do need to book online. Last year he was in the stables with a beautiful fireside grotto, an area for his sleigh with a world map on the wall. They also have people dressed up in the house and the rooms are beautifully decorated. They normally start at the end of November.

The Blue Diamond garden centre had a Father Christmas and a proper sleigh last year. They also have a year around soft play that’s free for under 1s and is always pretty quiet.

St. Fagan’s has lots of Christmas events on and can be a nice walk with the pushchair.

Cefn Mably Farm have real reindeer in residence all year but they have a Santa there at Christmas too and a giant soft play area. It’s also free for under 18 months (not sure about Christmas on that though).

At Roald Dahl Plass in the bay there is the annual Santa/Elf dash charity fun run. (8 December)

Caerphilly castle have an ice rink this year along with food and drinks.

My DS was 4 months old last year so I’m so excited he’ll be able to take it all in a bit more this year!

How magical does this sound 😍 will deffo be visiting st fagans this year!!

@Flamingo84 ooh. I'm only in Ystrad Mynach so caerphilly sounds good. Although I'm happy to travel!

I shall look into all your suggestions!

How magical are christmases going to be with the little ones 😍

@Whitecandle I'm in Pontypridd and there's usually something going on at the local Park (Parc Ynysangharad) such as carols by candlelight. Try joining your local town's Facebook community page as these kind of events often get posted on there

I’m pretty sure Caerphilly Castle has a Christmas market too that would be good.

My DS is one and loves lights/music so I’m sure yours will be mesmerised at Christmas!

I’ve just been looking up felt Christmas trees on Amazon. They have decorations the babies can stick on the big felt tree. I’m Christmas obsessed, poor DS won’t have an option but to join in!

My grandchildren will be visiting Santa's Toy Mine in The Rhondda Heritage Park and there's a very popular Santa's grotto at Pughs garden centre. It seems they both sell out very quickly.

I love visiting Cardiff Christmas Market, with many stalls selling different things.... and Winter Wonderland - which basically consists of ice rink,, fair rides, mulled wine and hog roast so your baby probably wouldn't think.much of Winter Wonderland.

@TwoPupsandaHamster I am 100% going to try to get tickets for Pugh's as loads have recommended that!

If it's not too far to travel for you (we've gone from Cardiff before) you could go on the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway. It's brilliant for the kids.

pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk/#/Event?id=45

There's always loads of Christmas events on at the Celtic Manor, ice skating, Santa etc.