The one-week countdown is on! And if the thought of tackling central London sends you running, why not venture out to Surrey or Buckinghamshire for some festive family fun? From Windsor Illuminated Light Show, back and more immersive than ever to Odds Park Farm’s Christmas Cracker experience, or a festive afternoon tea with a side of carol singing at Coworth Park, these winter days out are definitely worth adding to your festive agenda pronto.
Windsor Great Park Illuminated
Toasted marshmallows and twinkling lights? Windsor Great Park Illuminated has it all, the perfect festive stroll for families, friends, and anyone in need of a little magic the week before Christmas.
Back for its fifth year, the trail is bigger, more colourful and sparklier than ever, evolving into something truly magical with each return. Follow the illuminated trail for an enchanting walk through Windsor Great Park, where dazzling light installations and magical fountain displays bring the forest to life after dark.
One of the first stops is the life-size Windsor Express Train, complete with puffs of steam from the chimney, music, lights and woodland creatures springing to life around you. Along the way, you’ll spot a host of festive moments designed to get everyone into the Christmas spirit, including neon signs like the supersized Windsor sign, a photo opportunity not to be missed.
Expect everything from Snowball Elves and WoodFest to glowing light tunnels, the Enchanted Forest and a spectacular Water Show with dancing fountains – reminding us of the famous Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas. There’s also ‘Frosty Fred’, the world’s first outdoor LED screen snowman, guaranteed to impress little ones (and grown-ups too).
When it’s time to warm up, stop by the animal disco-ball music zone for a dance, toasted marshmallows, humble crumble and a mug of mulled wine.
Kids or no kids, this is the kind of festive experience that works for all ages and it’s dog-friendly too.
Running until 3rd January.
Christmas Cracker Experience at Odds Farm Park
If you’re looking for a Christmas grotto experience with some added extras, Odds Farm Park’s Christmas cracker experience is one to add to your festive plans, packed with activities, surprises and seasonal fun for the whole family.
Your festive journey begins inside the Main Barn, where you’re given a token to visit Santa, before being led by friendly elves through an enchanted, winter-themed land on your way to Father Christmas’ grotto.
Wander through a magical winter wonderland all the way to the North Pole, with a host of festive activities to enjoy. Meet Father Christmas himself and get that Kodak moment, then head to the toy workshop where little ones can make a cuddly bear or gingerbread man, always a hit, before visiting the Christmas toy shop to choose a free gift to take home (no disappointed faces here).
There’s plenty more to enjoy too, from festive crafts, reindeer food making and Tree Trimming Training, to interactive character performances in the Show Barn, illuminated tree shows, singing a cappella penguins, outdoor adventure play areas and the Indoor Soft Play Barn.
And don’t get us started on the adorable undercover animal barn, home to goats, sheep, sheep, giant bunnies, cows and the baby piglets.
Top tip: pack your wellies. There’s lots of puddle splashing for little ones and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, whatever the weather.
Running until 24th December
Coworth Park Yuletide Afternoon Tea
Set against the stunning festive backdrop of Coworth Park, the Yuletide afternoon tea captures the very spirit of dressing up for Christmas celebrations. The festive decorations alone make it worth a visit, but with live carol singers on weekends leading up to Christmas, it’s the perfect way to soak up the holiday magic. Whether you’re treating family or friends, the experience is as much about the enchanting atmosphere as it is about the delicious treats on offer.
Guests are welcomed with a crisp glass of champagne, before diving into an array of indulgent sweet treats. The savoury selection includes an Old Winchester cheese scone with clementine marmalade, roast turkey with sage and onion mayonnaise on onion bread, smoked salmon with watercress and horseradish on wholemeal, St Andrews cheddar with chives on white bread, and roast butternut squash with rocket on beetroot bread.
Freshly baked scones arrive with strawberry jam, spiced plum compote, and clotted cream, while the pastries impress with cherry and almond religieuse, Jamaican gingerbread with yuzu marmalade and custard, signature chocolate mousse with clementine jam, and a blackcurrant cheesecake tart. To finish, a slice of Coworth Park fruit cake with caramelised white chocolate rounds off a festive afternoon well spent.
Lapland UK Ascot
If you have saved for a big occasion…meet the big event. Lapland UK has become the ultimate festive splurge for families wanting more than just a visit to see Santa. Whitmoor Forest in Ascot, Berkshire, transforms into a truly magical Christmas destination each year, with tickets regularly selling out in minutes as soon as they go on sale. A whole array of celebrities have visited this enchanting forest in the run-up to Christmas over the years, adding to the sense of occasion and sparkle that makes Lapland Ascot such a show-stopping festive experience.
If you were lucky enough to secure a ticket, you’re swept from the moment you arrive into a four-and-a-half-hour theatrical adventure that feels like stepping straight into a storybook. Expect live performances, enchanting woodland scenes and a cast of elves, fairies and magical characters guiding you through snowy trails, gingerbread decorating, reindeers, a bustling toy factory and even ice skating – all leading up to the highlight: a personalised visit with Father Christmas himself.
For 2025, there’s even more reason to get excited. Lapland UK has opened a second site in the North West at Capesthorne Hall near Manchester, giving families outside the South a closer taste of the magic.
