Banjo’s Festive Features: Family Christmas Trips
Next in our series of Christmas blogs, we are talking about the festive family trips you can make together! There is so much to choose from (and some of it you may need to book now as spaces are filling up!) so here are some of our favourites that are bound to make you feel all fuzzy and full of Christmas spirit!
Winter Light Trails
There are tons of these around the country, some local farms may even do them as well as big manor homes with lots of gorgeous gardens. Here are a couple that we love: Waddesdon Manor, Coombe Abbey, Temple Newsham and Lightopia Festival. Wrap up warm, make sure to pack some yummy food and make a real night of it!
Pick your own Christmas tree!
This years-old tradition is such a special event to share with your family. Whether you want to pick a live Christmas tree and have it cut for you, buy a Christmas tree already cut or buy a living tree in a container, Pick Your Own Christmas Tree provides detailed listings of Great Britain’s Christmas tree farms, shops and markets to buy pre-cut (also called pre-harvested and fresh-cut) trees, in a few cases “cut your own” trees, stands, ornaments and holiday decorations, sleigh rides, hay rides and related winter events and fun. Check it out!
Seeing Santa
We’ve seen all the fabulous photos from Lapland UK and there are a few spaces left so try and book if you can! Local garden centres, soft plays, shops and even schools always have a lot of opportunities for your little one to meet the big man himself. It might even be worth seeing if there are any special Santa experiences too, where they can help the elves make toys in Santa’s workshop too. Anything to help keep the Christmas magic alive even more is a blessing, we think! Check out this blog for more Santa-seeing ideas!Â
Christmas Fetes
Local halls or schools may even be running Christmas fetes or Christmas Craft Fairs. You’ll be able to buy crafts that you could even do with the kids or, maybe give them a little bit of money to buy you something for Christmas. They’ll love looking for a special gift for you! Also, these fetes tend to have LOTS of yummy homemade treats for you to enjoy when you get home. This website includes heaps of information about events that are running locally.
Winter Wonderland/Ice Rink at Natural History Museum
What about a trip to London with the kids? There are so many festive activities to do in this wonderful city like going to Hamleys or seeing the Christmas section in Harrods! Here at Banjo HQ, we absolutely love Winter Wonderland and how much there is to do there for kids and grown ups too. There are so many food stalls as well as rides, music and entertainment all in the heart of Hyde Park. If you have time, pop to the outdoor ice rink at the Natural History Museum for even more Christmas family fun! After an incredible 16 years, this will be the final year of the Ice Rink too. The Museum will be transforming their five-acre gardens into a hub for urban wildlife, as part of a national campaign to encourage people to help nature on their doorsteps so it’s definitely worth going this year.
Theme Parks
Do you know that some theme parks do Santa sleepovers? You and your family can stay in a hotel onsite and enjoy the theme park as well as seeing the jolly man himself! We particularly love Legoland and Alton Towers but there are a lot of theme parks that have this magical experience too.
National Trust
We love the National Trust here at Banjo HQ and they really try to make their places even more magical at Christmas. Have a look at their Christmas guide and pick a place that looks perfect for you and your family.
Silverstone
Silverstone has an amazing light display called the Lap of Lights that will really get you in the festive mood whilst driving along the track! And you don’t even need to get out of our car so you could even go in your matching Christmas pjs. Â
Christmas train experiences
Lots of railways around the country have special festive train journeys that you can make whilst also meeting Santa. Some include breakfast, entertainment and gifts for your little one to take home. Here is a guide to a few that have been recommended, this will be such a magical experience for the whole family!
We hope that this blog has given you even more ideas of festive experiences to enjoy with the family. Remember to check out our Christmas Books blog and Christmas Gift Guide too for lots of inspiration this Christmas.Â
Stay festive and FANTASTIC!
Lots of love,
Banjo HQ x
