“On the first day of Christmas...”

You might not be lucky enough to spot a partridge, as the song goes, but there is plenty of pear tree heritage at The Cider Museum Hereford to make this first day of Christmas a jolly one. Enjoy tutored cider tastings, orchard visits, guided tours and fun activities for the entire family.

Two turtle doves

The North Yorkshire Turtle Dove Project is helping to look after more than just “two Turtle Doves”. Although these beautiful birds only visit Yorkshire in the spring, you can always go to North York Moors National Park to support the project and explore the incredible landscape.

After Boxing Day…

Do you need to stretch your legs after all the turkey, stuffing and mince pies? Then a walk over the Giant’s Causeway is your best bet! Worth a Boxing Day ramble, Northern Ireland’s only World Heritage Site.

Christmas traditions

Head to Bristol to step back into Christmasses past. Brunel’s SS Great Britain and Being Brunel are organising a Christmas trail that shows how the 1840s influenced the celebration of Christmas. Bring the entire family and find out how today's holiday traditions began!

Pantomime time

Nothing says “Christmas” like a good old-fashioned pantomime! Some classics like A Christmas Carol (Citizens Theatre and The Old Vic), Sleeping Beauty (Georgian Theatre Royal), Peter Pan (New Theatre Royal Portsmouth), Aladdin (Darlington Hippodrome) or The Scouse Cinderella (Liverpool's Royal Court), will make this Christmas season a merry one!

The Snowman

The snowman is one of our favourite Christmas icons… and you can find him at Lincoln Cathedral! Come and enjoy a special screening (with a live orchestra) of the animated favourite. There are even more special events next year for the entire family!

Seven swans a-swimming

You can certainly find more than “seven swans a swimming” at the Welney Wetland Centre. Surprisingly, winter is the best time to spot them as these graceful residents are joined by their distant relatives from Russia and Iceland.

8 maids as-milking

On the eighth day of Christmas and beyond why not try the Dairy Days project in Yorkshire Dales National Park to learn all about the local history of the dairy industry? Keep an eye on this calendar to find out more about this and other (happening in this jaw-droppingly scenic park! 

Look out for elves

It wouldn’t be Christmas without elves! Wales' National Wool Museum is inviting families to spot Santa’s little helpers in a fantastic (and free!) Elf Trail.

Ten lords a-leaping

There are ten lords leaping at the Red Rose Chain in Ipswich's production of Alice in Wonderland (have a look at the photo gallery below!) This charming theatre offers all kind of family-friendly fun to keep your Christmas spirit going right through to new year.

Reindeers!

How would we get our presents without Santa’s nine reindeers? If you come to the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, you may be able to meet them and win amazing prizes!

Christmas pudding

Need some sustenance after all your festive adventures? Try this First World War Christmas pudding recipe thanks to the Pershore Plum project (see photo gallery for full recipe!).