22 November-5 January (excluding Christmas Day)
Christmas on ice

An open-air ice rink will be returning to Hampton Court Palace this winter. Henry VIII’s former countryside pad in Greater London provides a scenic skating setting to have some festive fun while being surrounded by views of the historic Tudor palace.
All sessions are 45 minutes long, with bookings being taken until 9pm at peak times. There is also an Ice Rink Café Bar that will be offering a selection of seasonal refreshments that you can enjoy whether you’re a skater or spectator.

Nearest open Club Site: Chertsey

30 November-30 December
A Spectacle of Light

Explore the new night-time illuminated trail around Sudeley Castle’s grounds this month. An experience for all ages, characters such as Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and Captain Hook all make an appearance in the Spectacle of Light on selected evenings throughout December. A typical walk will take approximately 60-75 minutes and time slots are from 4.45 onwards to ensure the castle is lit to full effect under the stars. Festive food, mulled wine and hot chocolate are all available to enjoy while following the trail around the atmospheric grounds.

Nearest open Club Site: Winchcombe

7 December 
Brightening up Berkshire

Berkshire provides the perfect family festival this winter with the Carnival of the Animals, an annual community lantern parade that sees Maidenhead town centre filled with colourful illuminations, animal inspired lanterns and hand-crafted designs on 7 December. 
The event celebrates art in the community, and in the weeks leading up to the event, everyone is invited to take part in workshops to create the breath-taking willow lanterns and intricate decorations. Workshop dates are 16, 23 and 30 November. In addition to the parade, there will be street food, a licensed bar, and even live performances by The Brass Monkeys. 

Nearest open Club Site: Chertsey

1-24 December
Keswick Live Advent

Head to the Cumbrian market town of Keswick to experience the festive fun of its annual Live Advent. Each day in December, a festive-themed window is illuminated in a business around Keswick in the lead up to Christmas Day. The windows form a magical trail around the town, which will stay lit until early January. Once all of the windows have been lit, you can vote for your favourite.

Nearest open Club Site: Keswick

2 December
Pipes and performances

Get into the Christmas shopping spirit at Perth’s St Andrews Day Festival. The celebration is returning this year with award-winning live music and a street market selling food and drink from Scotland’s natural larder. There will be a number of performances throughout the day including entertainment from tribal drums and pipe band, Clanadonia, as well as Perth’s very own Mad Ferret Band, known for their blend of traditional and contemporary folk music.

Nearest open Club Site: Scone

7-8 & 14-15 December
Literary fun with Dickens

Kentwell Hall in Suffolk is hosting a Dickensian-themed Christmas, which will include an array of different activities to see and do. Your festive day could include meeting the family and their staff in the Victorian household or even listening to Mr Dickens read an abridged version of his A Christmas Carol complete with Victorian special effects. Visitors can also meet Father Christmas and train to be an elf at the Elf and Safety Training School.

Nearest open Club Site: Polstead

14-24 December
Festive fun at Cheddar Gorge

This month it’s not just cheese being made in Cheddar’s Gorge and Caves, but lots of toys too. Cheddar Gorge in Somerset is inviting you to join in with the magic and joy of Christmas all within its unique caves.
The experience, suitable for under 12s, is running daily from 14-24 December and includes listening to festive tales and even going behind the scenes to watch Father Christmas and his elves busy completing their final preparations for the big day. The experience lasts 30 minutes. All children will also receive a gift from Father Christmas.

Nearest open Club Site: Cheddar

19 December
Sing a song of Christmas

Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire will be opening up its grounds for an evening full of festive carols in the unique surroundings of the Riding School. The Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir will be performing from 6.30pm-8.30pm.
The Castle will also be hosting an audience with Father Christmas every weekend until 22 December. Children can join in the festive fun by meeting the man himself as he tells tales of Christmas past amid the yuletide decorations.

Nearest open Club Site: Teversal