Early Access – Father Christmas Booking 2024
A wondrous winter wonderland awaits
Father Christmas returns to Bolton Abbey this winter.
November 23, 24, 30
December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23
It is with great pleasure we announce that Father Christmas will be sharing his wild winter wonderland with families again this Christmas.
This year will see the Strid Wood Christmas Village reimagined and transformed into a magnificent bushcraft adventure. Led by traditional woods-people the children will begin their festive journey by lighting the village fire and roasting their own cocoa beans (to be enjoyed a little later in the experience).
Under twinkling Christmas lights (and while the cocoa beans roast), the children will take part in a number of exciting bushcraft activities including clay candle making, axe throwing and natural crafts. The children will get to take home all the items they make.
During the activities, families will be called individually to meet the great man himself, inside his cosy log cabin. Here, there will be opportunity to talk to Father Christmas and to take photos before re-joining the activities.
The experience will conclude with the children coming together to enjoy the hot chocolate from their roasted beans while listening to a communal story from Father Christmas and his elf and receiving a special gift to take home.
On December 1, 14 and 23 we are pleased to have a number of relaxed visits for children with additional needs and their families.
We welcome adults and older siblings to enjoy the winter village and soak up the festive atmosphere. There will be a coffee van selling refreshments and snacks throughout.
What’s included?
- Children will join the woods-people to take part in hot chocolate making, two festive craft activities as well as axe throwing.
- During the craft activities, children and their families will be invited to go and meet Father Christmas inside his log cabin
- After completing all the activities, children will end the experience by making their own hot chocolate and enjoying it around the fire as a group.
- There will be an opportunity during the experience to purchase hot drinks and snacks.
- Due to the remote location, it will be cash only card payments may not be possible, please come prepared with cash.
Useful Information
- Event suitable for children age 3+
- In the interest of health and safety, and for the enjoyment of all, the event is not suitable for children under the age of 3
- The event runs from 9.00am – 5.00pm (last event timeslot 3.30pm).
- Each session will last for approximately 90 minutes
- Please park in Riverside car park – BD23 6AN/ what3words: whirlwind.dimension.jeeps
- Present your car park ticket on arrival to gain entry to Bolton Abbey. You can print or present on a smartphone.
- The Christmas village is located in Strid Wood. There is a 15 minute walk from Riverside car park, through Strid Wood to the Christmas’ village. Please allow time for the walk and arrive no more than 5 minutes before your booking.
- The event takes place outdoors, shelters will be in place for some of the activities however some sections are exposed to the elements so wrap up in warm clothes and wear sturdy shoes.
- An element of the event involves making hot chocolate from scratch – there will be options available to children that are vegan or lactose intolerant – this MUST be flagged at the relevant stage of the booking process.
- The Christmas Village experience is exclusive to ticket holders.
- Dogs are not permitted in the Christmas village – other than guide/service dogs.
- After dusk, extra lighting will be in place in the wood, but torches are advisable. Please take extra care during this event.
- Bolton Abbey does not accept responsibility for the loss of tickets.
- Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Please check and double check your diary before booking your visit to Father Christmas’ village because we are unable to transfer, exchange or refund tickets.
Pre-book your tickets early to guarantee a memorable visit and avoid disappointment.
Click here for further event information and FAQ’s
Tickets:
*One complimentary car parking ticket will be included per booking – if you are arriving in more than one vehicle, please add this on during booking.
Child –
All children visiting Father Christmas and taking part in the activities must have a child’s ticket
23/24 November – £32.50
30 November/1/7/8 – £35.00
14/15/20/21/22/23 December – £40.00
Adult – £12.00
Every booking must include at least one adult ticket
Older Sibling – £10.00
Cannot be booked without an adult ticket
These ticket holders will not receive a gift
Tickets on sale from 10am – 27th August