Primary Times Staffordshire Winter 2017

WHAT'S ON WHERE
4
If you are looking for more inspiration, there
are over 350 events on our website
www.primarytimes.net/staffordshire
Weekends until 24 Dec
Santa and Christmas
Entertainment FREE ENTRY
Freeport Talke ST7 1XD
www.freeport-talke.com
11:00am-4:00pm. Join in the family
festivities every weekend until Christmas
Eve. !8th Nov – Christmas Launch Frozen
Adventure and the arrival of Santa, 25th
Nov - Visit the Arctic Bear , 2nd Dec- Thee
Three Kings, 9th Dec Cat’s Chorus and
Paw Patrol, 16th Dec Cracking Christmas
giveaway, 23rd Dec – meet and greet
with Victorian Nursie & her charming
puppet twins, Scrooge and the Grinch.
T: 01782 774113
18 Nov - 24 Dec
Father Christmas
Planters Garden Centre B78 2EY
www.plantersgc.com
9:15am-4:15pm Step inside the
Christmas village and visit Rudolph
in his stable for a sing song & story
telling, then meet Mrs Claus in the
kitchen and help mix up some
magic reindeer food to take home.
Then visit the Grotto where you’ll
find Father Christmas, pose for a
photo taken by a cheeky elf
and then visit the toy
workshop where you
can choose a gift to
take home. Adult
£2.50, Child £9.99.
Additional adult £9.99.
T: 01827 285586
24 Nov
Courtyard Lights Switch On
Emma Bridgewater Factory ST1 3EJ
www.emmabridgewaterfactory.co.uk
Join special reindeer visitors as you gather in
the Victorian factory courtyard to light the
giant tree and help celebrate the countdown to
Christmas with carols and mince pies plus great
offers and late night shopping!
T: 01782 201328
Wildlings FREE EVENT
The Wolseley Centre ST17 0WT
www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk
10:30am-12:00noon Give your children a
chance to experience fire, get mucky and
play independently in the outdoor classroom.
Parents/carers must attend with child, but we’ll
be encouraging parents to take a step back and
observe their kids ‘in the wild’. Child £5, £2 for
additional siblings. A healthy snack and a drink
will be included for all children and adults will
also be provided with a hot drink. Suitable for
children aged 6+ months. Also 1st, 8th and
15th Dec. T: 01889 562653
Don’t forget to
say you saw it in
Primary Times!
We check
listings carefully but
event details and prices
may be subject to change.
Please always check
with the venue.
24 Nov - 26 Nov
Christmas At Blithbury
Blithbury Reindeer Lodge WS15 3HY
www.blithburyreindeerlodge.co.uk
Enter into a magical wonderland and take
the opportunity to feed and fuss over 100
reindeer. Story-time by the fire. Attend Elf
School – where you’ll receive a certificate of
attendance. A personal visit with Santa and
access to the Elves Toy Workshop, where each
child selects a gift. Booking essential
T: 01889 504 300
24 Nov - 27 Nov
Drayton’s Magical Christmas
Drayton Manor Theme Park B78 3SA
www.draytonmanor.co.uk
Celebrating 10 magical years of Christmas,
with live shows, carols, presents, light
shows, festive food, Father Christmas and
everyday ending with a magnificent fireworks
display, plus so much more. Thomas Land and
selected family rides only will be open
during Magical Christmas plus the
15-acre Zoo and 4D cinema showing
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas.
Check out the Slide & Glide rink.
Also 1st-4th, 8th-11th, 15th-31st
Dec. To book T: 01827 287979
25 Nov
An Animal Winter Wonderland
FREE ENTRY
The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery
ST1 3DW
www.stokemuseums.org.uk
11:00am From the Forests of Eternal Snow pads
the giant white lion, a mythical emblem of the
season celebrating the light of human kindness in
the depths of winter’s darkest days. Meet Crumpet
the Elf and his friends the penguin family. Interact
with these beautiful creatures, give them a stroke
and pose for a photo. Meet some real penguins
and children can make their own penguin puppet.
T: 01782 232323
Christmas Light Switch On FREE EVENT
Biddulph Library ST8 6HH • biddulph.co.uk
4:00pm-8:00pm Stalls and entertainment.
The Lantern Parade will begin from
Biddulph Library at 5:30pm and Santa and the
Mayor (Cllr Chris Wood) will be joined on the steps
by children to turn the lights on at 6:00pm.
T: 01782 297845
Community and Craft Christmas Fayre
FREE EVENT
Lichfield Library WS13 6QG
www.staffordshire.gov.uk
10:00am-2:00pm Singing from Christ
Church Primary School at 10:00am and
Storychef at 11:00am Come and find those
Christmas gifts for all the family. T: 01543 510712
Primary Times WINTER 2017 | www.primarytimes.net/staffordshire
Live Reindeer Land
Longton Exchange ST3 2JA
www.stoke.gov.uk
10:00am-4:00pm Meet Live Reindeer
in a magical festival display.
Santa Claus’
Longton Exchange ST3 2JA
www.stoke.gov.uk
10:00am-4:00pm Come and see jolly old
St Nick as he rides in on his sleigh.
Enjoy free face painting.
25 Nov - 26 Nov
Santa and His Reindeer
Birches Valley Forest Centre WS15 2UQ
www.forestry.gov.uk
Santa’s Grand Arrival will take place at
10:30am on the 25th November. The
Grotto is housed in a beautiful log cabin. Tickets
include reindeer viewing, grotto experience, time
with Santa and a tree sapling to grow at home.
Child £10, adults free with a paying child.
T: 01889 586593
Santa Specials
Foxfield Railway ST11 9BG
www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk
A truly fun packed Christmas will await
you on board Santa’s magical train
journey. Gently wind through the scenic
Staffordshire countryside for a 5 mile round trip
festive train ride! Relax in decorated coaches with
a seasonal glass of sherry and a scrumptious
mince pie whilst the children meet ‘Santa Claus’
and receive their present! Be entertained by the
resident Entertainers and see our festive station
adorned with decorations and fairy light displays.
Booking essential T: 01782 396210
Breakfast With Father Christmas
Gailey Dobbie’s Garden World ST19 5PP
www.dobbies.com
9:30am Hot or cold breakfast for each
child along with party games, activities
and a small gift from Santa. Suitable for ages
4-10. Also 2nd-3rd, 9th-10th and 16th-24thDec.
Child £11.95. Adult from £7.95. Booking essential.
T: 01902 791555
Santa’s Grotto
Gailey Dobbie’s Garden World ST19 5PP
www.dobbies.com
Bring your little ones along to explore the
enchanted setting, be welcomed by
Father Christmas himself and receive a toy of your
choice. Also 30th Nov-3rd Dec & 7th-24th Dec.
Tickets £9.95. Booking essential. T: 01902 791555
North Pole Adventure
National Forest Adventure Farm DE13 9SJ
www.adventurefarm.co.uk
10:00am-6:00pm Embark on an expedition
to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas.
Along the way meet Mother Christmas, help
fix the sleigh, meet a talking Polar Bear in the
Ice Cave and be entertained by the cheeky
elves. A magical 2 hour family experience.
Various Dates in November and December,
check site for details. Booking essential
T: 01283 533933
Christmas Gift Bazaar
Nicholson Museum and Art Gallery ST13 6DW
www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk
10:00am-4:00pm The ideal place to find
quality gifts to suit all the family. Festive
activities include choirs, family entertainment,
mulled wine and mince pies. Closed Sundays.
T: 01538 483741
Elf Adventure Challenge
Trentham Gardens ST4 8JG
www.trentham.co.uk
9:30am-3:00pm Santa’s Elves need your
help! Pumpaa, Sprout and their team of
Elves have been sent on a special mission by
Santa himself, to share some of their secrets with
carefully selected children and their families. Take
part in festive themed games, Elf challenges
including learning how to build toys, loading the
sleigh and doing the Elf March!, join in with the
music and listen to the Elves tell their stories. Who
knows you may be called on to help Santa in his
duties. Also weekends in December. Tickets £15
which includes one free adult place. Booking
essential T: 01782 646646
25 Nov - 17 Dec
Santa
Trentham Garden Centre ST4 8JG
www.trentham.co.uk
10:00am Come along at the weekend and
experience the magic of Christmas at
Santa’s Garden Centre grotto. Make a Christmas
wish and take away a gift. Also 18th-22nd Dec.
Child £7. T: 01782 646646
25 Nov - 17 Feb
Bookworms United
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum WS13 6LG
www.samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk
10:30am-1:00pm Read, explore and enjoy popular
titles in this fortnightly (not the 23rd December)
book and activity club for 7-10 year olds. A great
way to develop skills and confidence and make
new friends in an inspiring environment. £4 per
session which includes books and refreshments.
T: 01543 264972
26 Nov
Samuel Johnson’s Christmas Light Night
FREE EVENT
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum WS13 6LG
www.samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk
3:30pm-6:00pm Warm up while visiting the
Lichfield Christmas Light Switch On with hands-on
activities and festive refreshments. T: 01543 264972
Wild Families Explore : Christmas Crafts
Westport Lake Visitor Centre ST6 4RZ
www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk
10:00am-12:00noon or 1:30pm-3:30pm
Make some natural festive decorations!
Suitable for ages 3-11. Child £4.50. Booking
essential T: 01782 826985
30 Nov - 3 Dec
Santa and His Reindeer
Birches Valley Forest Centre WS15 2UQ
www.forestry.gov.uk
The Grotto is housed in a beautiful log
cabin. Tickets include reindeer viewing,
grotto experience, time with Santa and a tree
sapling to grow at home. Child £10, adults free
with a paying child. T: 01889 586593
1 Dec
On The First Day Of Christmas
Calke Abbey DE73 7LE
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
5:00pm-8:00pm Father Christmas is
paying a special visit to Calke this year.
Watch him arrive, then join in the lantern-lit
parade as he enters the Stableyards to spend an
evening in his grotto. Book tickets to see him, get
started on your Christmas shopping at the evening
gift fair, or pop into Squirt’s Stable for family
Christmas crafts. Free event, normal admission
charges apply. T: 01332 695310
1 Dec
Little Saplings Sensory Play
National Memorial Arboretum DE13 7AR
www.thenma.org.uk
10:30am-12:30pm Little Saplings Sensory Play
and Story Telling is designed to help the youngest
visitors enjoy the Arboretum and heighten their
development and enjoyment of learning. Sounds,
colours, textures and other hands-on elements
will add to the week’s chosen story. Child £1.50.
Booking essential. T: 01283 245100