Ice skating, reindeer feeding, Santa in his grotto and more at Whitehall

CHRISTMAS has arrived at Whitehall Garden Centre and there is something  for everyone to enjoy over the festive season.

Ice skating, Whitehall’s award-winning Christmas decoration and display area, reindeer feeding, and Father Christmas in his grotto are just some of the attractions coming up over the next few weeks.

Until Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24th December, Whitehall will be welcoming children for an unforgettable magical experience at their Father Christmas Grotto.

Whitehall says, “This is a truly magical experience where children and whole families create happy festive, life long memories. This is an extremely popular attraction, tickets sell out quickly and Father Christmas is only available in store for a limited time. We would strongly recommend booking in advance.

“The Father Christmas Grotto experience starts with a walk through the village of the elves before meeting Father Christmas in his cabin where he will read the group story. Guests also meet his elves and real reindeer. In addition to this, each child ticket includes a present, which they can personally choose from Santa’s present room. As a reminder of your visit, they will also receive a mini Christmas tree and badge.”

For any Torvill or Deans in the making, the ice rink is open until Sunday 5th January.

Whitehall says, “This is a great fun festive activity to do with the whole family. Sessions will be running at varied times throughout the day and each session runs for 45 minutes. To guarantee your time slot, with Whitehall’s coolest attraction, book today!

“Tickets include skate hire, along with a 45-minute skate. Skate aids are also available for hire and cost £4.99 per session. Please note, all children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times. Children under 8 years of age must be accompanied by an adult on the ice. Bobskates are available subject to availability on the day, for children (shoe size 8 and under) which have 2 blades per skate and go over the child’s shoe.

“Our Parent and Toddler tickets include 1x parent ticket 1x toddler ticket and either a penguin or banana skate aid, subject to availability. Parent and Toddler tickets are available on certain dates, please see calender.

“Our Ice Rink Café completes this family experience and is conveniently located next to the ice rink. The Ice Rink Café offers a range of refreshments, including hot drinks, hot bites to eat and snacks to recharge with after a fun time on the ice.”

A Charity Ice Skating session will be held on Saturday 23rd November at 10.00am until 10.45am, with all proceeds going to Whitehall’s chosen charity of the year, Wiltshire Air Ambulance.  

Before they take flight on Christmas Eve night, come and watch Father Christmas’ reindeers being fed every day at 4pm at Whitehall. This free event is available until Tuesday 24th December.

And to get the whole family in the mood for Christmas, Whitehall is hosting a Winter Family Fun Weekend on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December from 10.30am to 4pm.

Whitehall says, “You can come and meet Father Christmas and his elves in the grotto, children’s activities including reindeer food making, Christmas bauble making and ice skating. You can purchase tickets for all children’s activities, ice skating and Father Christmas Grotto experience on our website subject to availability.

“You will also find a wide selection of real Christmas trees available to purchase from our plant area, as well as viewing our award-winning Christmas department.”

Other festive events include late-night shopping, a free snowmen nature trail until Saturday 30th November, a Christmas bauble making workshop on Saturday 23rd November, and festive high tea at the Lavender Lodge Tea Room & Bistro on Wednesday 4th December.

For more information visit the Whitehall website: www.whitehall gardencentre.co.uk