Household Christmas occasions in North Wales and Cheshire

Final 12 months I went all out with Christmas occasions and we did so many. I really like Christmas however I don’t benefit from the commercialism and the over-buying it typically entails. So, somewhat than spending a fortune on cheesy Christmas presents for my youngsters, I made a decision to deal with them to some festive days out and Christmas occasions.

We reside on the border of Wrexham and Chester so we have a tendency to stay to Christmas occasions in North Wales and Cheshire.

As we’re attending to that point of 12 months the place everybody needs to guide their Christmas occasions I assumed I’d share our ideas on those we did final 12 months.

Listed below are the Christmas occasions in North Wales and Cheshire we did final 12 months.

Desk of Contents

Christmas at Gulliver’s Theme Park, Warrington

Greatest for: Greatest worth for a full time out

Christmas at Gulliver’s Theme Park in Warrington shocked me by being our favorite Christmas exercise out of all of the actions we did.

I assumed it was nice worth for cash as a result of we spent all day there.

They’ve a North Pole practice which takes you on a experience across the winter wonderland theme park, with stops at Santa’s workshop and a go to to Santa’s Grotto which was unimaginable.

The child’s all bought a toy (and it was genuinely an incredible toy!) after which we had a full afternoon within the theme park.

Gulliver’s World was positively a Christmas exercise for the kids however if you happen to’ve bought little ones (anybody underneath 10) then they’re going to find it irresistible.

It’s additionally price noting that they’ve Twixmas at Gulliver’s which could possibly be an incredible reward and a beautiful exercise to proceed the festive enjoyable in that awkward, inbetween part.

There are Gulliver’s Theme Parks in 4 places across the UK; Warrington, Matlock Tub, Milton Keynes and Rother Valley so I think about it could be a really comparable expertise in any respect 4 parks.

Discover out extra concerning the North Pole Categorical Expertise at Gulliver’s World right here.

The Polar Categorical from Telford

Greatest for: Youthful households

OK, so this one was a little bit of a let down for us and it wasn’t fairly as magical as I used to be anticipating.

The night earlier than we went on the Polar Categorical we watched the movie at residence and it was so thrilling and magical. After which we advised the children we have been occurring the actual one the subsequent night time. Pleasure was by means of the roof!

The Polar Categorical is a brief steam practice journey the place Santa and the elves sing songs and also you get scorching goodies and cookies like on the movie.

It has the potential to be actually magical nevertheless it simply wasn’t fairly there.

Our center son, Joseph (he’d simply turned 5), was not impressed. I feel he genuinely thought we have been occurring the actual Polar Categorical and he was upset to discover a pop-up marquee ready on the station, a tiny sprinkling of faux snow and a rickety outdated practice. He mentioned the Santa didn’t look actual and one of many elves was miming somewhat than singing.

The practice additionally didn’t really go wherever. It went forwards for 2-3 minutes after which went backwards for 2-3 minutes. This additionally made my eldest son, George, really feel sick (however he’s just a little sweetie and sat there quietly and performed alongside for the good thing about his child sister).

So I’ll be trustworthy right here – this might have been actually magical however Joseph was in such a temper I didn’t significantly get pleasure from it.

I assumed it was costly for what it was and it didn’t assist that Telford is kind of a protracted drive for us so everybody was a bit fed up by the point we bought there.

Discover out extra concerning the Telford Polar Categorical right here.

Zipmas at ZipWorld

Greatest for: One thing completely different

This was a very enjoyable one. We’ve accomplished quite a lot of Christmas actions through the years so it was good to do one thing utterly completely different.

I’ve bought a full Zipmas evaluate right here.

Zipmas is held on the ZipWorld slate cavern at Llechwedd. You start your journey with mince pies and scorching goodies after which journey 500ft down into the mine on an outdated and rickety practice. It’s Europe’s steepest cable railway and the tunnel is embellished with Christmas lights as you creek down into the mine. The children cherished this half so we began on a excessive.

You then have about half-hour to wander across the chambers of the mine that are embellished with fairy lights and Christmas decor. You finally come to Santa’s grotto the place an unimaginable Santa (my youngsters all agreed he was positively the actual Santa) awaits for a festive chat in his cosy residence.

While you get again to the highest you go right into a crafting space the place you may beautify slate Christmas tree decorations. This half was additionally surprisingly enjoyable and it’ll be good to have these decorations on our tree every year. There was additionally an age-appropriate toy for every baby.

This can be a nice Christmas exercise in North Wales if you happen to’ve already accomplished quite a lot of the opposite actions and need to attempt one thing new. It’s additionally enjoyable for older youngsters and I feel adults will genuinely get pleasure from this simply as a lot as the children do.

Discover out extra about Zipmas right here.

Chester Zoo Lanterns

Greatest for: Combining with a day on the zoo for a full time out

Chester Zoo Lanterns is a traditional Christmas occasion in Cheshire. We reside near the zoo so that is one thing everybody in our space does!

I’ve discovered the standard of Chester Zoo Lanterns varies from 12 months to 12 months. We discovered 2018 was the perfect 12 months by far and, whereas it has at all times been superb, it’s by no means been fairly nearly as good because it was that 12 months and that’s at all times been a bit disappointing.

However if you happen to’ve by no means been to the Lanterns then you definitely’ll don’t have anything to check it to and also you’ll find it irresistible!

You enter the zoo after darkish and also you observe a magical path across the zoo the place lanterns and performers are ready at each flip. There are dancers and puppets and all kinds of performers and the big, vibrant lantern animals look spectacular. There are additionally teepees serving foods and drinks and every baby has just a little lantern to hold with them and this provides to the magic. 

If Chester Zoo is a little bit of a drive for you then I’d suggest spending the entire day and getting tickets to go to the conventional zoo throughout daytime opening hours too. You don’t see any actual animals after darkish and this could be disappointing for some youngsters.

Discover out extra about Chester Zoo Lanterns right here.

Christmas at Bolesworth

Greatest for: Multi-generation/numerous adults

This was the primary time I visited Bolesworth Fort and I’ve since realised they’ve so many unimaginable occasions all 12 months spherical. This stunning nation home is close to Tattenhall and is well-known for his or her equestrian occasions.

They host an unimaginable Christmas occasion which is big with a lot occurring. There’s a grotto, an ice rink, a lightweight present, an enchanted mild path by means of the forest, fairground rides, a water show on the lake, reindeer, foods and drinks, interactive experiences, festive video games and even a lakeside champagne bar.

This can be a actually good Christmas occasion if you happen to’re visiting with numerous adults as I really feel like there are simply as many grownup actions as there are kids’s actions.

Journey Hack Tip: It bought muddy right here final 12 months so put on wellies or boots. For those who’re taking a pushchair, simply remember that you just would possibly have to ditch it occasionally and are available again for it later.  

Discover out extra about Christmas at Bolesworth right here.

Magical Woodland at Delamere Forest

Greatest for: A magical night

This was the second 12 months we visited Magical Woodland at Delamere Forest. It truly is magical and if you happen to’ve by no means visited a forest lightshow like this earlier than then you definitely’re in for an actual deal with.

We cherished it a lot the primary time we visited that I wrote a complete weblog put up about it: Magical Woodland Evaluate: An unimaginable outside expertise in Cheshire

However I’ve bought to be trustworthy and say that it wasn’t fairly so magical the second time round. It was just about the identical Christmas expertise so, for the adults who remembered all of it, it was a bit samey.

I 100% suggest going right here if you happen to’ve by no means been earlier than, however I wouldn’t suggest going two years on the run.

Discover out extra about Magical Woodland right here.

North Hills Farm, Ruthin

Greatest for: Purchase your Christmas tree and have a Christmas expertise

North Hills Farm is among the smaller Christmas occasions and can in all probability preserve you busy for an hour, nevertheless it’s a beautiful one to mix with shopping for your Christmas tree.

This gorgeous little farm has reindeer you may feed at set occasions, a small store, a restaurant and little fires the place you may roast marshmallows.

I wouldn’t go a good distance out of your approach to go to the farm however if you happen to’re within the space then it’s a really cute afternoon out.Discover out extra about North Hills Farm.

Christmas at Chirk Fort

Greatest for: Nationwide Belief Members

For those who’re already a Nationwide Belief member then I extremely suggest a go to to Chirk Fort at Christmas time. Whereas this isn’t an enormous, flashy or noisy Christmas occasion like lots of the others, it’s a gorgeous and extra refined affair!

Chirk Fort has a beautiful mild path by means of the gardens after which the fort inside is embellished so superbly. Monumental bushes are embellished in every room, however I’ve to warn you that you’ll go residence with Christmas tree envy!Discover out extra about Christmas at Chirk Fort.

Different Christmas occasions in Cheshire and North Wales I’d wish to attempt:

1. Dunham Massey
2. Heaton Park Lightopia
3. Knowsley Safari Park
4. Greenwood Household Park
5. Llandudo 5k Santa Sprint