WHAT’S ON 1 What’s On November - December 2011
Please always check with the venue to confirm details, including dates, prices and opening times.
AT-BRISTOL At-Bristol 0845 345 1235 www.at-bristol.org.uk Toddler Takeover 25 November 2011 Especially for the under fives. This month’s theme is Colour Spectacular! There will be kaleidoscope of different activities for little ones to explore colour, light, reflections and mirrors - let’s go colour crazy! Boggling brain show! Times: 12.15, 15.15 Come and join our crazy science show, The Boggling Brain Show. Discover what’s in our grey matter and how it works together to let us see, speak, move around, and even go to the toilet! Boggling brains is the family show that will fire up every part of your brain. Storytelling Times: 11.00 and 2.30 Get swept up in a story as the Live Science team take you on an imaginative adventure, filled with sounds and actions - perfect for engaging little ears! Planetarium shows: Autumn night sky Winter night sky From 12 December Little Stars Tiny explorers get star struck in this show especially for the under fives. . At-Bristol’s Winter Wonder-land 10 Dec – 02 January ‘Tis the season to be amazed in At-Bristol! Discover some of the science behind the festive favourites including the Brussels sprout taste challenge and flaming Christmas puds! Santa’s Invention workshop Make like an elf and start creating as At-Bristol’s Live Lab area is turned into Santa’s Invention workshop. Design, make and take home cracking Christmas crafts chock full with stocking filler science from LED Christmas decorations, Christmas crackers and more! Party tricks Get beneath the tinsel of Christmas with a selection of crowd-pleasing demonstrations such as flaming Christmas pudding tornadoes, giblet dissection and homemade snow storms. Christmas Animation Animate It! gives you the chance to create your own animation! There will be a selection of festive backgrounds to give your animation that extra bit of seasonal sparkle! And then why not email your animation to your friends as a unique and green season’s greeting alternative! BERKELEY CASTLE 01453 810332 www.berkeley-castle.com Castle by Candlelight with Santa’s Grotto Friday 16th – Sunday 18th December 2011 Start your Christmas celebrations this year by visiting
14 November /December 2011
Berkeley Castle for some candlelit magic. Beautifully decorated for the festive season with greenery from the grounds, a 12ft Christmas Tree in the Great Hall and over 400 candles throughout the rooms all accompanied by live music from local choirs and musicians. Children can meet Father Christmas in his special grotto. Mulled wine and mince pies will be available.. You are advised to bring a torch as from 5.00pm the Castle is lit predominantly by candles only. BLOOMS CHELTENHAM GARDEN CENTRE CHELTENHAM 01242 672 560 www. cheltenhamgardencentre.co.uk. Breakfast & Tea with Father Christmas Blooms Cheltenham will be hosting breakfast and tea with Father Christmas from December 3 until 23. Please check all details with the garden centre. Booking is essential. BLOOMS GLOUCESTER GARDEN CENTRE 01452 721 081. Father Christmas is hosting a Winter Wonderland grotto Children are invited to see Father Christmas in his grotto every weekend from Sunday, November 20 until Sunday, December 18 from . The grotto will also be open everyday from Monday, December 19 until Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24. Please check all details with the garden centre. Booking is essential and is subject to availability. BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS 0117 974 7399 www.bristolzoo.org.uk Bangless Bonfire Nights Friday 4th and Saturday 5th November 4pm – 5.30pm Now in its fourth year, we are excited to welcome you back for two evenings of unique, family-friendly entertainment. Be entertained by an enchanting display of lownoise fireworks that will light up the night sky. Display to start at 5pm. Book tickets in advance
CATTLE COUNTRY 01453 810 510 www.cattlecountry. co.uk Santa’s Grotto 11th, 17th, 18th,19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd December. 10am – 4pm Christmas holidays opening 27th, 28th,29th and 30th December 2011 and 1st January 2012. 10am – 4pm Only the top area of the park will be open; this includes the main slide barn, synthetic Ice Rink and the main field (outside under 6’s area, swings, activity net, trampolines and Adventure Castle)
www.familiesgloucestershire.co.uk
Father Christmas is coming to Gloucestershire.Check out the following pages to see when he’ll be near you!
CHRISTMAS IN CIRENCESTER www.christmasincirencester.org.uk Friday 25th November – Sunday 11th December 10:00am – 6:00pm. Late night opening until 7:00pm Saturdays Switching on the Christmas lights: 4:30pm, Friday 25th November The heart of the town will be transformed with festive activities. The Christmas Market of beautifully adorned wooden chalets, selling hand crafted clothes, gifts and toys, together with festive food and drink will fill Cirencester’s market place. A programme of events and live performances will add further to the festive spirit.
See advert on page 11 for more details
CORINIUM MUSEUM Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 2BX Tel: 01285 655611 Website: www.coriniummuseum.cotswold.gov.uk
DEAN HERITAGE CENTRE 01594 822170 www.deanheritagecentre.com
Family Drop-Ins Family drop-ins are suitable for children aged 3 and above. Cost £1 for activity only, or included in the price of admission. All children must be accompanied by an adult. A family drop-in Stained Glass Decorations Monday 19th & Tuesday 20th December, 10.3011.30am Drop in for some seasonal fun and make some stained glass style decorations to take home and hang on your tree or in your window. Choose from a variety of characters - reindeer, elves or Santa himself! A family drop-in Stretchy Reindeer Wednesday 21st December, 10.30-11.30am What are the names of Santa’s reindeer? Come along to the Museum and make your very own stretchy version of Prancer, Dancer, Comet, Cupid, Rudolf and… you know the rest! A family drop-in Winter Mosaics Wednesday 29th December, 10.30 - 11.30am Be inspired by The Seasons mosaic in the museum and create a design that could be the missing ‘Winter’. COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK & GARDENS BURFORD 01993 825705 www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk Stinky Sundays every Sunday in November ‘Whose Poo?’ Quiz! Santa’s Grotto in the Shop Real reindeer walking around the Park 17 -24th December. DEAN FOREST RAILWAY 01594 845840 (11am - 4pm) www.dfr.co.uk Santa Specials 10th,11th, 17th, 18th & 24th December
Mince Pie Specials Christmas Day is over and you need some fresh air and exercise! Enjoy a day on the Dean Forest Railway! Steam on 27th December, 1st & 2nd January 2012. Heritage diesel railcar on 31st Dec. Get an early train and stop off at Parkend for a brisk Forest walk and perhaps a drink in one of the real ale pubs. Enjoy a complimentary mince pie. Free parking, museum, gift shop & cafeteria at Norchard End 2011 or start 2012 on a heritage train! Phone or check website for more details
World War II Day Sunday 13th November Take a lesson with scary Mrs Wright in our school room and experience an air raid drill. Forest Fairy tales 10th -23rd December Discover your favourite fairy tale characters on our forest trail and meet Father Christmas. Check website for more details. DICK WHITTINGTON FARM PARK 01452 831000 www.dickwhittington.org Santa with his toys will be here up until Christmas. Say hello to the deer, donkeys and other farm animals who will be in their Winter accommodation. Christmas themed face painting, meet the Harry Potter Snowy Owl, other Christmas fun and games in the Play Barn., Christmas pies and snacks in the restaurant GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk Celebrate the Switch On Of Gloucester’s Christmas Lights Sunday 20 November –4.15pm Y ou are very welcome to join us in the Cathedral as the City celebrates the switch on of Gloucester’s Christmas lights. The festive parade will enter the West Door around 5.00pm. Everyone will be invited to sing a selection of favourite carols led by the Cathedral Youth Choir. FAMILY FUN AT CHRISTMAS 17 December - 02 January Mon to Sat 10.45am – 3.15pm/Sun 12pm – 2.30pm FOLLOW THE STAR Free Children’s Trail. Come and journey around the Cathedral spotting characters from the Christmas story. Collect your route map from the Welcomer. Finish your trail at the nativity scene then collect your sticker from the shop. Christmas Carol Service