Unwrap Wiltshire this Christmas

Dear Wiltshire Parents

Wiltshire Primary Times is taking some time out this October Half Term to improve our planning and make sure future editions of the magazine are even better.

We aim to continue publishing the magazine in print before every holiday and half term period next year. In the meantime, we will continue to update our events listings for Autumn 2022 online and we have prepared this essential guide to Wiltshire's fabulous Christmas season attractions coming up in the next few months.

Look forward to getting back to you in print soon!

Mike the Publisher

After two years of pandemic-induced “famine”, Wiltshire parents and carers have a wide range of choice for activities this Christmas period. The county is host to a variety of festive celebrations that include Christmas light trails, Santa’s grottoes and fetes.

Christmas returns to Stourhead this year with the site’s fourth annual illuminated trail between 25 Nov and 1 Jan. Walk amongst the trees around Stourhead’s historic grounds and gardens, plus don’t forget to grab a bite to eat and a drink from the food stalls before you leave. The trail requires booking and runs every fifteen minutes from 4.30pm with specific closing times available via the link below. Tickets are free for National Trust members with tickets for non-members £21.50 for adults and £15 for children aged 3-16.

Longleat also exudes festive spirit with its illuminated Christmas tree and Santa’s Train as part of the safari park’s Festival of Light between 5 Nov and 8 Jan. The park’s 20-metre Christmas tree is the centrepiece of an incredible 3D light show complete with flurries of “snow”, that runs every 20 minutes between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. Santa’s train travels through the festival to North Pole Halt so children can meet and receive a gift from Father Christmas while you grab a hot chocolate and mince pie. Entry to the park for the festivities is between 10am and 2pm with off-peak tickets costing £39.95 for adults and £29.95 for children aged 3-15, and peak tickets costing £44.95 for adults and £33.70 for children aged 3-15. Tickets for the train which include a gift from Santa are an additional £19.95 for children and £6.95 for adults.

If it’s trains you want this Christmas then Steam in Swindon has you covered with their Christmas at Steam event on Sat 3 and Sun 4 Dec from 10am to 5pm. Over 50 Christmas stalls provide a range of gifts including hand-crafted jewelry, photographic prints, glass artworks, home furnishings, Christmas decorations, wooden toys, and traditional games plus delicious festive treats. Children can also enjoy a story for Santa and a wrapped gift in one Father Christmas’ Storytime sessions. Pre-booked tickets are separate from standard museum admission of £11.30 for adults and £8.40 for children aged 3-15 and are required for the event costing £3.50 for adults and £1 for children with an additional £8 for Santa’s Storytime sessions.

Explore Christmas through the ages and learn to make Tudor-style Christmas decorations at Wiltshire Museum this December as part of the Museum Explorer’s Club and Young Curator’s Club. You don’t need to be a member of either club to attend the workshops with Museum Explorers for children aged 5-7 on 17 Dec and Young Curators for children aged 8-13 on 10 Dec. Each session runs from 10.30am to 12 noon and costs £6 for children (free for adults).

If you don’t want to leave the house this Christmas then don’t fret, you can still experience some of the festive spirit thanks to Pound Arts who live stream Father Christmas from the North Pole on 16 Dec at 6.30pm. Families will hear Santa tell some silly tales before talking to children in the audience about what they want for Christmas. The event is held both on Zoom at 6.30pm and in person at The Pound at 3.45pm. Tickets are £5 per household for Zoom and £7 per person for the audience at The Pound.

Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!

Unwrap Wiltshire this Christmas

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