Santa Specials, Christmas trees and a Gruffalo grotto bring festive family fun to Moors Valley (Nov 2014)
From woodland walks to craft workshops and Santa Specials to freshly cut Christmas trees, Moors Valley has all the ingredients for some fantastic family fun on the run up to Christmas this year.
The festive season starts off in style with the opening of the Christmas tree shop on Saturday 29 November. With sizes ranging from four to eight feet, and a choice of traditional Norway Spruce or the non-drop Nordman Fir, the pine forests of Moors Valley provide the perfect backdrop as you choose your special tree. The Park begins its programme of festive fun the same day with the opening of the Christmas Gift Market, the first day of its themed childrens’ activities and the launch of a special menu featuring traditional breakfasts, lunches and dinners – all freshly made using locally sourced produce. To book a table call 01425 470537. Other seasonal activities this year include a willow workshop for adults, a winter wildlife walk, workshops to make Christmas reindeer decorations, and the ever-popular ‘Santa Specials’ at Moors Valley Railway. This year Santa will be in his station grotto on 7 and 14 December and the train departs four times a day. Book on 01425 471415.
Gruffalo fans are also in for a treat at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest this Christmas. The newly-installed Gruffalo’s Child Trail is open daily until the end of February and for the Christmas period, the Rangers have created a special woodland grotto inside the Visitor Centre where children can also enjoy a reading of Julia Donaldson’s classic story. The Gruffalo’s Child readings are free-of-charge every Monday and Wednesday from 1 – 17 December. For older children (age 6+) the Christmas Reindeer Workshops are outdoor, hands-on sessions using local wood to create a mini reindeer to take home. Two workshops take place on 6 December and all tools are provided. Other children’s activities include drop-in craft sessions, ‘Christmas Crafts for Kids’ from 11.30am – 3.30pm on weekends 29 and 30 November, 6,7,13,14, 20, 21 December as well as Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Costs start from £1 dependent on the materials used. For crafty adults the Park is running a Willow Workshop, making contemporary decorations on 9 December from 10am – 1pm.
If you want to be active in a different way there is a choice of festive walks. Forestry Commission Ranger Colin Elford leads an early morning Winter Wildlife Walk on 2 December, whilst a pre-Christmas Health Walk takes place on the morning of 15 December.
The Christmas Tree Shop and Gift Market, with its range of locally made chocolates, skin care products, bags, cushions and other crafts, both open daily from 29 November until 21 December, so this year it’s easy to buy your tree, stock up on presents and enjoy a full day out, with festive fun for all the family at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest.
You can book online for all the festive events at Moors Valley. For more details go to www.moors-valley.co.uk or contact the Rangers on 01425 470721.
ENDS
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