Christmas is a magical time for families in the beautiful surroundings of Surrey. The landscape, architecture and atmosphere lends itself to a picture postcard version of a Winter Wonderland that is full of activities and experiences to enjoy either side of the big day. The one thing that can never be guaranteed of course is snow, but planning for some fantastic days out in good time is always the best course of action to keep everything on track for your ultimate yuletide schedule. This year there is a wealth of festive options to choose from that are set to take place with this marvellous county becoming both the stage and one of the leading characters involved.
This guide details the best amongst them and offers a little advice on how to make the most your time there.
A Nutcracker Christmas at Winkworth Arboretum
There are very few cultural pieces of storytelling that evoke an idea of Christmas quite like The Nutcracker does. And this event taking place at the stunning collection of woodland trails that make up Winkworth Arboretum looks set to be a modern classic of its reimagining. It will be using these trails to great effect as families follow Clara’s footsteps through the arboretum encountering scenes from the story retold with engaging installations, challenges, games and immersive performances. The Snowflake Forest and The Land of Sweets await with eight giant Nutcracker sculptures hidden in the upper arboretum waiting to be found in a spirit of open exploration.
The event runs from the last weekend in November to the first weekend in January from 10 am to 4pm, every day apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Entrance is included alongside the regular arboretum criteria but there may be additional costs for some of the associated games and rides. As usual The Arbor Tea Room is on hand to provide warming drinks and tasty snacks when the trail comes to an end. Always be sure to bring some wellies or walking shoes too, as it can get muddy underfoot in the winter months.
Glow at RHS Garden Wisley
There is something immensely pleasing about watching a modern Christmas event become a new seasonal tradition. Glow has been delighting families in the exquisite surroundings of Royal Horticultural Gardens Wiseley for almost a decade now, with a light show always manages to capture the powerful connection between our emotions and the natural world at Christmas.
Five illuminated gardens carry visitors through their own different worlds in a thematic journey of design, lighting, sound and storytelling. The Glasshouses bring tropical plants to life and a floating pontoon shimmers upon the lake to bring this already impressive location to life as the sun sets. There are plenty of opportunities for festive gift shopping from op up chalets and the food stalls will keep you warm with mulled wine and churros. Glow starts early on the 21st of November and keeps on shining from 4pm until 9pm every day through to the first weekend in January with the 24th to the 26th of December closed. And it is safe to say that this event’s popularity makes advance booking an absolute necessity to avoid missing out. Your ticket will provide you with a timed entry slot, so it is better to plan around 2 hours in total to account for food stops and refreshment breaks as needed.
Alice’s Christmas in Wonderland at Polesden Lacy
The shared image and understanding of a classic Christmas around the work is inextricably tied to a vision of Old England. Through literary landmarks such as Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and countless stories, poems and plays it will be forever linked to this part of the world with good reason. Polesden Lacy in Surrey therefore provides the most appropriate setting for a Christmas event with its 1400 acres of gardens, woodlands and parklands surrounding an elegant Edwardian mansion.
This year the equally magical world of Lewis Caroll provides a theme for visitors to tumble down the rabbit hole into a true winter wonderland. The house and grounds will be transformed by the mind of the Mad Hatter, the rule of the Queen of Hearts and the timeless quirky charm of the Cheshire Cat. A trail encourages guests to follow the White Rabbit whilst solving clues among an abundance of twinkling trees and dazzling decorations. Everything begins on the 22nd of November with a break for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day before returning until the 4th of January. General entry is open from 10am to 4pm with last entry to the house at 3pm and National Trust members get in free. This is a whimsical wonderland just waiting to be explored.
The Snowdogs at Hatchlands Park
Raymond Briggs has been responsible for some of the most recognisable Christmas moments of the last 40 years in the UK. His books and subsequent animated adaptations have been part of the furniture over the festive period for millions of homes, and The Snowman is perhaps the most famous of them all. Building on this theme and linking in The Snowdog sequel has allowed artists to design 10 unique Snowdog sculptures that will be dotted around the Hatchlands park estate with visitors tasked to find them all on a gentle winter walk.
This distinguished Grade-I listed Georgian country house is enveloped by over 400 acres of meadows, glades and ancient woodland maintained by the National Trust. At Christmas, it delivers a beautiful setting to roam across and events such as The Snowdogs ensure that littler ones are kept suitably engaged so the family can all benefit from walking in the air that a Surrey winter brings. It begins on the 15th of November and continues inside the house and out until the 6th of January with some December dates to be confirmed as closed.
However you and your family choose to fill your Christmas calendar in Surrey, this year is certain to be a cracker. Wrap up warm in the glow of the holiday season and get outside with any of these options to make memories together in a merry way.
