Our favourite Christmas days out in Staffordshire and Cheshire

I wanted to sit down and put together a little list of our favourite Christmas days out in Staffordshire and Cheshire.  These are events that we as a family have enjoyed over the last two or three years.   Some of these events I have planned and booked very early on ..even before those beautiful summer evenings have ended.

I have always loved Christmas, and since we have had the little ones I find it even more magical.  There is something special about trotting off to find the perfect Christmas tree in a field of mud, breathing in that wonderful smell of a fir-tree, and then rushing home to dust the chosen one with baubles and glitter and twinkling lights, with the christmas tunes in the background and a glass of hot mulled wine staring at me on the sideboard.  OK….well our Christmas tree shopping normally ends with child A face down in the mud, and child B loosing a wellington boot in the mud, and Mr S’s enthusiasm fading fast as I ‘shun’ the twentieth tree in search for that picture ‘perfect’ shape! I think the thing that I love most about Christmas is the build up…the planning…the anticipation of what is to come.  I have always loved planning lots of special things to do trying  to make those wonderful lasting memories and watching the children  enjoy the excitement and magic, and just simply – believing. 

Here is a list of our favourite Christmas days out in Staffordshire and Cheshire to date.

 The Snowman Tour – Nationwide

We have enjoyed The Snowman Tour for the last two years, and it has soon become our favourite day out to introduce us to the festive period.   This Christmas classic held in a number of Cathedrals across the Country, is shown on a large screen accompanied by a live orchestra. I have recently written about this gorgeous event and we are off to Liverpool Cathedral this year and I absolutely can’t wait.  I am letting you in on our little secret, as it is an event that is not well publicised and therefore seems to stay that little big magical.  The girls loved dancing away to the sound of the violins, and last year they all squealed with excitement when the big man himself (The Snowman) wobbled his way around the cathedral.  I would definitely recommend a visit – just remember this event is a sell out – so get those tickets early.

 Santa Sleepover – Alton Towers, Staffordshire

We visited Alton Towers for their Santa Sleepover a couple of years ago and it was great value for money. It involved a jam-packed weekend of visiting the theme park, staying in a themed room at the hotel and enjoying christmas dinner alongside a full itinerary of christmas activities. The following day we headed over the water park for more family fun before coming home.

 Keele Christmas Tree farm, Staffordshire.

This is somewhere we visit EVERY year. Before I married Mr S…I used to drag my beautiful exasperated dad around the farm, inspecting each and every tree in search of that perfect tree, of a perfect size…you see the perfection really does exist. 🙂  My dad quickly handed the baton over to Mr S and now we enjoy this annual tradition of donning the wellington boots and hats and scarves and getting lost in the field of trees at the Christmas tree farm. (Okay well maybe I enjoy it slightly more! ) We do always manage to plan the visit on a day when it is cold..wet and muddy.. which seems to make the kiddies love it even more…. (Mr S not so much 🙂 )

Breakfast/tea with Santa- Bridgemere Garden Centre, Cheshire

Breakfast or tea with Santa was something we did a couple of years back and it was magical. We couldn’t fit it into our schedule this year but I would definitely recommend a visit.  We chose the tea with santa, and the mini me’s enjoyed decorating gingerbread men, pulling a cracker, eating the food and ending the day with a ‘hello’ from the big man himself. It was also the day we snapped my most favourite ever festive family snap. see below…One that will make me smile for years to come.

Live Nativity – Glebe Farm and Astbury Church, Cheshire

We learned about this magical event just after we got married, and it has become a firm favourite in our family festive events. I don’t know about what the words ‘live nativity’ means to  you, but when we first booked this event I didn’t quite realise that Live nativity meant live nativity…as in outdoors on a farm (yes I know..the clue is in the title but my brain didn’t register!) so I dressed M in her best Sunday clothes, with her glittery white pumps, and we  joined the other totally prepared children in their snowsuits, wellies and  glow sticks.  We absolutely loved it, (despite sporting completely inappropriate clothing) and it is now an annual tradition of ours.  It involves acting out the Christmas story, stopping off at the local pub and being greeted by a grumpy innkeeper with no room in the inn, and following the star, passing the shepherds on our way, and ending in the barn to sing carols.  The Live Nativity is a wonderful evening for the children to understand the true meaning of Christmas.

Blithbury Reindeer Lodge, Staffordshire 

Last year we spent Christmas Eve at Blithbury reindeer lodge in the Staffordshire countryside. We are always on the look out for a memorable and special place to visit to add to our favourite Christmas days out. Blithbury reindeer lodge is in Rugeley, in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside. It is a working farm and home to England’s largest working reindeer herd.  The reindeer roam freely across the 30 acre site.  During the run up to Christmas it is transformed to a winter wonderland to sprinkle a little magic and festive cheer to everyone who visits,  before the big man himself sets off on his epic sleigh ride. It is such a lovely event with stories from Mrs Claus, a vast to Elf school and ending the day with a sleigh ride.

This year we are off to the National Adventure Farm, in Staffordshire for the North Pole adventure.… I don’t know who is more excited …the kids or the adults!

Do you have any favourite Christmas days out in Staffordshire and Cheshire? I would love to hear of any more  family days out to enjoy over the Christmas period.

Enjoy your magical adventures !

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