Best Christmas Day out/activity in the UK?

[pleasekeeptotheright]

Hi,

I'm starting to think about booking some activities for the festive season with the kids (7 and 9) and just looking for recommendations.

We're NW based but can travel. We did LaplandUK a few years ago (fantastic) and also enjoyed the children's Christmas events at the Royal Albert Hall.

I've so far booked Reindeer Lodge enchanted drive with a view to staying the weekend and visiting Chester Christmas Markets along with any other festivities we can find.

What have been your best festive UK experiences (and worst for that matter)? Thanks

I've had a reply from Longleat saying that there will be a "Winter event" and tickets go on sale in the autumn. So who knows!

Woah, I've just looked at Polar Express and for the week they're off school before Christmas, the tickets are £36 per child

we won't be doing that then

Where are you, vaguely, @Peach1886? Other, non-PE, Santa trains are cheaper.

We did the lights at Cheshire forest last year and they were fab. Bury new street station has a Santa train which looked good but we're off to otterspool to visit Santa and I think I'm pushing it with OH to do two!

@NoWordForFluffy I was looking at the PE trains in the Yorkshire Dales...as you say there'll be something a lot cheaper than that somewhere, I was just horrified that even if it was just me and DS that's £72 for an hour's entertainment...

@Peach1886, is the Embsay one any good for you? If you're north of the dales, NYMR runs Santa trains as well.

Just booked Dunham massey for between Christmas and New year. Also alladin at the opera House in Manchester.

Considering santa train as my 7yo will like ig but don't want to bore 10yo

Ooh have you been to the Bridgewater Hall to watch the snowman soundtracked by the halle? That's fab.

They do The Snowman in Liverpool too. Might need to splash out this year as it's proper dear!

If it's on, that is! (Doesn't seem to be, darn.)

Another vote for Dunham Massey. We did Boxing Day last year and booked again as soon as the tickets went on sale this year.

Ooh, it's not at the Phil; it's at the Cathedral. Booked!

Don't forget the free things available - take them to a carol service in a church, go carol singing in your area for charity (pre covid we used to meet as a group and spend 2-3 hours singing around the neighbourhood then back to the pub from kids in prams to a 92 year old on a mobility scooter), wildlife trust sites often have activities you can book, Christmas markets are fun, I like Lincoln and Birmingham.

I hate how crowded Christmas markets are; not my thing at all!

thanks @NoWordForFluffy I'll have a look at both of those

Is Drayton Manor Park worth a Christmas visit?

Is Drayton Manor Park worth a Christmas visit?

Drayton Manor is great if you have any Thomas fans. Just wrap up warm and take some hot choc

@MsMiaWallace

Is Drayton Manor Park worth a Christmas visit?

We've been a few times and my two absolutely love it and have already been asking to go again this year. The firework display at the end of the day is great and there's a parade just beforehand as well.

We love going round all our local garden centres looking at the displays. One of them has a miniature train ride in