Little Vikings Magazine (Issue 38) - Christmas 2020

York for kids Issue 38

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Christmas 2020

The Best of York for Families this Christmas

Hello!

We’ve made it to the end of the craziest of years and it’s time to celebrate. And if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to appreciate the simple things. Keep your trip to Lapland: this season we’ll be happy with a walk around York to see the Christmas lights, an afternoon crafting with the kids (we’re going to have a go at making Hoglets’ reindeer decoration read on for the instructions) or doing some Christmas baking (our gingerbread recipe is highly recommended). We do have some suggestions for lovely festive days out, too, so read on for the details.

We’re also spreading some love with the Little Vikings Awards, sponsored by St Peter’s School. Take a look at the finalists and hop over to the Little Vikings website to have your say. This year, more than ever, they would love to win.

Finally, if you’ve still got some Christmas shopping to do, please shop local if you can. Have a look at our family gift guide, packed with ideas for lovely things for everyone from York businesses.

We wish you all a very, very merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years!

All at Little Vikings HQ

Since last issue, we've….

• Announced the launch of the Little Vikings Guide to Moving to York. Coming out next year, it’s a must-have for anyone moving to the city with kids • Had an afternoon exploring The Yorkshire Arboretum, near Castle Howard.

So many amazing trees, space to play and autumn treasure to collect • Enjoyed walking around York and seeing the Christmas lights - it’s lovely when the sun goes down and the streets are quiet • Been planning the launch of the new Little Vikings Family Card. Free to get hold of, you’ll get discounts and special offers from brilliant businesses around York. Watch this space for more info.

Little Vikings was founded and is run by a York family. Contact us at hello@little-vikings.co.uk.

Office address The Hiscox Business Club, Peasholme Green, York YO1 7PR. Content © Little Vikings 2019/20. Little Vikings is a registered trade mark. Every effort has been made to ensure that this guide is up-to-date and accurate, but some things are liable to change. Always check details before you travel.

Calling all

o l a ff Gru Sp tters

to Dalby Forest Follow the trail, spot the signs and see what creatures you can find

Download the NEW Gruffalo Spotter 2 app before you visit! ©1999 & TM Julia Donaldson/ Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd

forestryengland.uk/ gruffalospotters Forestry England

FESTIVE FAMILY FUN IN AND AROUND YORK THIS CHRISTMAS Although 2020 has a guaranteed place on the naughty list, we get the feeling that it’s trying to pull it out of the bag (or stocking) this December. In spite of everything, there are some fun Christmas events coming up in and around York that are guaranteed to bring cheer to the whole family.

Promoted content

A Christmas Spectacular on Kirkgate Step out of the cold and into a magical snow-covered world this festive season as Christmas comes alive at York Castle Museum. Snow has fallen on our famous Victorian street, Kirkgate, transforming it into a glistening stage where largescale projections dance across the walls, bringing to life famous characters from the Nutcracker. Stroll through the snowcovered street, peek into the shops and watch the beautiful projections that cover the walls as merry music plays!

Expect oversized Christmas decorations, Nutcrackers, ballerinas and toy soldiers adorning the street and immersing you and your family in a new and truly unique Christmas experience on Kirkgate.

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For an extra festive treat, book The Christmas Traditions tour, perfect for the whole family! Explore our decorated period rooms and listen as our experts reveal the fascinating stories behind some of our most famous and muchloved festive traditions, such as why we eat turkey at Christmas, when did we start kissing people under the mistletoe and did Coca Cola really turn Father Christmas red?

Finish the joyful experience by visiting the museum’s café, which will be offering festive takeaway treats, and browse a selection of Christmas gifts in our museum shop.

The 35-minute Christmas Spectacular experience runs from December 2 2020 until 3 January 2021. It costs £10 for adults and £8 for children aged three and over. The Christmas Traditions tour costs £8 for adults and children, with all income raised being put towards to care of the buildings and collections looked after by York Museums Trust. For more information and to book your tickets visit www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk.

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Stories with Santa in the Courtyard Grotto at Castle Howard Enjoy a magical storytelling event in the historic Courtyard of Castle Howard this Christmas. Meet Santa's helpers as they guide you through into the festive library, where children will get to meet Santa and settle down to hear a brand new, enchanting winter's tale 'The Snowflake' by popular children's author Benji Davies. Each child will receive a book to take home, along with a Christmas activity pack. The special post box to the North Pole will be ready to receive children's letters, so do bring them along too. Santa's Grotto is produced in partnership with Castle Howard, Engine House Theatre and Story Craft Theatre, two of the region's well-loved children's theatre companies.

Pre-booking essential. 4th to 23rd December 2020 - ÂŁ15 per child - castlehoward.co.uk

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The world-famous Viking Encounter Take your Little Vikings on an unforgettable trip through time this Christmas!

PRE-BOOK AT www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk Coppergate, York, YO1 9WT JORVIK Viking Centre is owned by York Archaeological Trust. A registered Charity in England & Wales (No. 509060) and Scotland (SCO42846)

Desperately seeking Santa! Fun Christmas activities from The York BID The York BID are launching a campaign to encourage the local community to support local businesses though the crucial trading month of December, and it’s going to be great fun for families. The BID is launching its ‘Make a World of Difference – Support Local This Christmas’ campaign which uses striking ‘York Globe’ artwork from Ben Staves of local business StavesArt who trades on the Shambles Market. The campaign will run alongside a programme of events which will bring some festive fun into the city for visitors to enjoy.

York Gift Card Advent Calendar The first of these events is a York Gift Card 'Advent Calendar' offering £25 York gift card prizes to customers who are lucky enough to be the 'in the right place, at the right time, on the right day', culminating in a grand lottery draw on Christmas Eve where someone who has shopped in a local business during December can win a whopping £1,000 York Gift Card. To find out how to enter the lottery, please visit the York BID’s social media channels where you will find the terms and conditions.

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Santa Search App Launching on the 3rd of December is the brand new 'York Quest' AR mobile phone app featuring a festive 'Santa search' to encourage families into the city to find a series of seven Christmas characters who have taken up residence on York’s historic streets. Take a fun photo and share on social media!

The app is called York Quest, and is available from 3rd Dec on Google Play Store or App Store and has been cofunded by Make it York.

Christmas Feature Tree Also being launched in December is a fantastic ‘Feature Tree’ to create a spectacular addition to the Winter light display at the Eye of York. With a staggering 1km of lights, it is the first installation of this type in the UK. There’s also something very special coming to the empty window space of Debenhams and Virgin Money stores which families won’t want to miss! Keep an eye on The York BID’s social media channels for the latest.

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Christmas on the Home Front at Eden Camp Eden Camp have a Christmas experience like no other this year - join them for an exciting adventure as an evacuee this festive season! Christmas during the Blitz is hard work for Father Christmas and his helpers. With children spread all over the country through evacuation, so the team at Eden Camp thought they would lend Father Christmas a hand and invite the children to come to him!

Explore a 1940s bedroom, hear the story of an evacuee first-hand and explore the Winter Wonderland on the way to finding Father Christmas. Your ticket includes a meet and greet with the elves, a gift, a nice (or naughty) list certificate, a magical expedition through a 1940s Winter Wonderland and admission to the museum.

Selected dates until 23rd December 2020 - ÂŁ15 per child, one free paying adult per child - edencamp.co.uk

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Winter Wonderland at The Web Adventure Park The Web Adventure Park are very excited to announce a new Christmas experience for 2020. They will have the following rides available (unlimited): dodgems, twister, Alpine funhouse, Frozen swing, balloons, toys set, cups and saucers. There'll be festive stalls (not included in entry price), game stalls and Christmas treats! It will also be snowing at certain times throughout the day.

Father Christmas will be there to say hello and there'll be a Christmas treasure hunt around the park! The indoor area will be an extra activity that will be included if they are allowed to open at no extra charge.

5th December 2020 to 3rd January 2021 - Child £13.50, adult £8, under 1s £3 - thewebadventurepark.co.uk

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The Christmas Experience at Lotherton The Christmas Experience returns to Lotherton for 2020! Enjoy the interactive 12 Days of Christmas woodland walk: count the calling birds and drummers drumming as you wander through the woods, discover the fairies in their secret hideaway fairy dell and listen to the giggles and whispers as you tip-toe through.

Don't miss the house, either, where you can see the rooms dressed in their festive finery.

Runs until 3rd January 2021; pre-booking required - thechristmasexperience.co.uk

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See Fountains Abbey in colour at Music and Lights You've explored the family trail and been revived by a warming mug of energygiving hot chocolate. Now it's time for Music and Lights. See the abbey aglow with all the colours of the rainbow and hear music fill the cellarium. Prebooking required.

Every weekend from 5th December 2020 to 3rd January 2021 and every day from 21st December 2020 to 1st January 2021 - nationaltrust.org.uk

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Santa Experience with City Cruises York Hop aboard a City Cruises boat for a magical festive experience on the river.

Santa and his team have made a few changes this year, to make sure that you can have a secure and comfortable visit, without missing out on any of the fun.

Included in the price is a present for each child, a drink and mince pie for the adults and a 50-minute cruise.

Selected dates until 23rd December 2020 - citycruisesyork.com

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Chocolate Making with Santa (& Festive Tour) at York's Chocolate Story Santa Claus is coming… to York’s Chocolate Story in 2020! Join the Christmas themed tour, where lollies are no longer the norm! You will be joined by Santa and one of his trusty elves as you take part in festive-themed lolly making and snowball rolling – but will your creations put you on the naughty or nice list?

This price includes the extra-special festive York’s Chocolate Story Tour plus the chocolate making with Santa experience!

Selected dates from 5th to 24th December 2020 - yorkschocolatestory.com and one of his trusty elves as you take part in festive-themed lolly making and snowball rolling – but will your creations put you on the naughty or nice list? This price includes the extra-special festive York’s Chocolate Story Tour plus the chocolate making with Santa experience! Selected dates from 5th to 24th December 2020 - yorkschocolatestory.com www.facebook.com/LittleVikingsUK

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Five reasons to visit Dalby Forest for the new Gruffalo Spotters Trail   Issue 38

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A family went down to the deep dark wood, the family did a trail and the trail was good. Hm, perhaps we’ll leave the poetry to Julia Donaldson and stick to the day job: telling you what you need to know about the new Gruffalo Spotters Trail at Dalby Forest. As with so many things in 2020, the launch of this new Gruffalo trail was held back due to you-know-what. It’s now open for everyone to enjoy, so we piled our Gruffalo-spotters into the car and headed into the woods to try it for ourselves. Spoiler alert: we loved it. Here’s why. www.facebook.com/LittleVikingsUK

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1. It’s in an area of the forest that we hadn’t explored before We’re no strangers to Dalby Forest in fact, it’s a regular destination for a family day out - but we’re definitely creatures of habit. We always park in the Visitor Centre car park, let the kids play in the (very good) adventure playground and do one of the walking trails from there. No surprise, then, that our kids were horrified at the prospect of driving five miles deep into the forest and exploring a completely different area. The Gruffalo Spotters Trail is at Adderstone, an area that’s popular with cyclists and families (for the large playing field and adventure playground). Seeing children on the cycle tracks and in the playing field, our kids are now keen to go back there and do some more activities, so it looks like we’ve broken the habit and shown them than change can be a good thing after all.

2. It’s absolutely stunning It’s amazing how each area of the forest is so different from the next, and the route of the Gruffalo Spotters Trail feels very different from the other trails we’ve done. Perhaps it’s because we went on a gloomy day, but there Issue 38

was an atmospheric, other-worldly feel to our adventure, with so much to see and explore along the way. We didn’t veer far from the path, but we all enjoyed dipping in and out of the trees, spotting weird mushrooms, trampolining on the spongy moss and getting our torches out under pitchblack canopies of branches. It’s really beautiful - so much so that even our kids were asking if they could take some photos.

3. The Gruffalo trail is really fun We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: nothing beats a trail for engaging kids on a walk. And as far as they’re concerned, if it involves technology and one of their favourite characters, so much the better. Before leaving home, we downloaded the free Gruffalo Spotters Trail app (search for the Forestry Commission) to both of our phones and made sure that they were fully charged. We also popped into the Visitor Centre on arrival and bought a couple of activity packs (£3.50 each) before driving up to the start of the trail. The packs aren’t necessary, but they’re a nice added bonus: our girls (6 and 8) enjoyed doing the rubbings along the trail and solving the puzzles in the car on the way home. The app itself is excellent, bringing each of the Gruffalo characters to life as you meet them along the way. We flapped our wings

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to get Owl to fly, jumped around to get Mouse to count his acorns and roared at the Gruffalo to end our journey.

The app allows you to take photos and videos of your kids (or yourself - don’t be shy!) doing the challenges, which make a fun souvenir too. I’m sure we’ll cherish the selfie we took with the Gruffalo!

4. It’s an easy route We were impressed with how well thought-out the Gruffalo Spotters Trail is. Even on a damp day after plenty of rain, the wide, flat path was mud-free and accessible (it would be fine for most rugged buggies and wheelchairs). The distance between each of the creatures is long enough as not to make it too easy, but not so short that it feels like a doddle. We spent about an hour doing the trail, with stops to explore the woods, collect pinecones and add to our burgeoning stick collection. Little ones who are too big for a buggy but don’t have the stamina for a longer walk could maybe try taking a scooter in case they get tired (but don’t blame us if you end up carrying it the whole way round - we know the drill).

the cafe (the Visitor Centre cafe is still open for takeaway) and doing the Gruffalo Spotters Trail. We occasionally hear the odd grumble about having to pay to park, but it felt like an absolute bargain of a day out to us. The amount it must cost to maintain the forest must be staggering, so we never begrudge the parking fee and often buy a coffee to help support them too (at least that’s our excuse). The app is free to download, and there’s no need to buy the activity pack unless you want to (I’m glad that we did, but it wasn’t vital). We all felt so much better after our trip to the forest: all that fresh air and exercise, and having a laugh at trying to wake up the sleeping Owl and stomping at the Gruffalo, did wonders.

No prizes for guessing what bedtime book they asked for that night.

Good to know • There’s no need to pre-book to visit Dalby Forest • It’s £5 to park during low season, £9 during high season • The Gruffalo Spotters Trail is at Adderstone • Download the app at home and make sure your phone is charged

5. It’s free For just a fiver to park (as it’s low season), we spent over four hours at Dalby, playing in the adventure playground, having a hot drink from www.facebook.com/LittleVikingsUK

Dalby Forest, Pickering YO18 7LT, England - forestryengland.uk

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YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SORTED! YORK’S BEST INDEPENDENT FAMILY GIFT GUIDE

Everyone deserves a treat for making it to the end of this strangest of years, and we’ve got some lovely ideas for gifts for the whole family.

All of our picks are from independent businesses in and around York: they’re missing out on vital income at the busiest time of the year and they need our support to make it through to the other side. They’re a vital part of what makes York so special: use them or lose them. Happy shopping, happy Christmas and roll on 2021! www.facebook.com/LittleVikingsUK

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FOR THE KIDS

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1. Christmas Eve Box from Choc Affair, £15 (https://www.choc-affair.com/) 2. Yellow Miffy toy from Noun, £17.95 (https://noun.selz.com/pages/about) 3. Santa Post book from Little Apple Bookshop, £12.99 (https://www.littleapplebookshop.co.uk/) 4. Slime-making kits from Bish Bash Pot, £12 (https://bishbashpot.co.uk/) Issue 38

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5. Eco-friendly glitter from The Bishy Weigh, £15 (https://www.thebishyweigh.co.uk/) 6. Christmas Party Gift Box from The Potions Cauldron, £29.99 (https://www.thepotionscauldron.com/) 7. Forest Play Packs from Forest Craft and Play (https://www.forestcraftandplay.com/) 8. Beginner’s juggling clubs from Totally Awesome, £7.99 (https://wearetotallyawesome.co.uk/) www.facebook.com/LittleVikingsUK

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FOR GROWN-UPS

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1. Chocolate orange gin from York Gin, £39 (https://www.yorkgin.com/) 2. Ainsty Ales Taster Pack, £26 (https://ainstyales.co.uk/) 3. Best teacher biscuits from Walter & May, £16 (https://www.walterandmay.co.uk/) 4. YRK sweatshirt from Winstons, £39 (https://winstonsofyork.co.uk/) Issue 38

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5. Bettys Christmas Gift Box, £55 (https://www.bettys.co.uk/) 6. Nature-inspired door handles from Posh Knobs, £20 (https://poshknobs.design/) 7. Illustrated York and North Yorkshire Calendar from York 360, £14 (https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EHarrisonPrints) 8. Bishy Road prints from Corner Gallery, £36 (https://www.cornergallery.art/) www.facebook.com/LittleVikingsUK

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LITTLE VIKINGS AWARDS 2021: THE FINALISTS. VOTE NOW! Proudly sponsored by

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While the pandemic may have changed many things, we’re delighted to reveal that it hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm among families to show a little love to their favourite businesses in and around York. Once again, the Little Vikings audience has nominated in their thousands, and we’re delighted to be able to reveal the shortlists of the Little Vikings Awards 2021, sponsored by St Peter’s School.

Now in its sixth year, the Little Vikings Awards is the only awards scheme to reward the very best of family-friendly York, from the best places to go in York with children, to York’s best family attractions, family-friendly places to stay in York and the best classes for kids in York too. Each shortlist has been put together based on the number of nominations received.

Now it’s back over to you to vote for the winners - go to the Little Vikings website to have your say. The voting ends at midnight on New Year’s Eve, and we’ll announce the businesses that have been crowned York’s best for families in January.

Huge thanks to this year’s sponsor, St Peter’s School, York

Special recognition award These are the people and places who have been nominated by you for going above and beyond the call of duty during 2020 • City of York Athletics Club “Because the coaches give up their spare time to help young children and they don’t even get paid” • Miss Kerry, Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance “Miss Kerry was amazing during lockdown and from the moment the country stood still, she made sure that the children had access to dance. She continued to teach via Zoom every week and was instrumental in keeping the children in a routine, healthy and happy. We think she’s fabulous!!”

• Sue Gabbatiss, Childminder in Woodthorpe “Sue went above and beyond when she had to close in lockdown by visiting her children from a distance and waving from the drive or leaving chalk messages outside. She kept some normalcy for our children who were so happy to see her”

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Attractions BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION IN YORK

BEST CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE

• • • • •

• York’s Chocolate Story • Goddard’s • York Cocoa Works

York Castle Museum JORVIK Viking Centre National Railway Museum Piglets Adventure Farm Beningbrough Hall

BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION (YORKSHIRE COAST) • • • •

Sewerby Hall, Bridlington Whitby Abbey Scarborough Castle Sea Life, Scarborough

BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION (YORKSHIRE DALES) • • • •

Mother Shipton’s Forbidden Corner Brimham Rocks Bolton Abbey

BEST GORY EXPERIENCE • • • •

Mad Alice’s Bloody Tour of York York Maze – Hallowtween York Dungeon Dorian Deathly’s Deathly Dark Tours

BEST FAMILY FESTIVAL • JORVIK Viking Festival • Deershed Festival • York Ice Trail

BEST CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE • • • •

York Castle Museum Santa at Murton Park Christmas at Castle Howard The Christmas Experience at Lotherton

BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION (NORTH YORK MOORS)

BEST TOUR OF YORK

• • • •

• • • •

North York Moors Railway Castle Howard Dalby Forest National Centre for Birds of Prey, Helmsley

Mad Alice’s Bloody Tour of York Dorian Deathly’s Deathly Dark Tours York City Cruises City Sightseeing bus tour

BEST RAINY DAY EXPERIENCE • • • •

National Railway Museum The Web Adventure Park Rainbows Ceramics Bish Bash Pot

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Classes for kids BEST BABY/TODDLER SWIMMING CLASS

BEST MUSIC CLASS

• York Sport • York Swimming Academy • Puddle Ducks

• • • •

BEST SWIMMING CLASS (4+)

BEST CREATIVE CLASS

• • • •

• • • •

York Sport Coral Magson Swim School Brightwater Swim School York Swimming Academy

My Baby Can Dance Song Box Tiny Toes York Suzuki ECE

Reading Fairy Lingotot York Story Craft Theatre Phonics Stars York

BEST ACTIVE CLASS

BEST STEM CLASS

• Wild Things Forest School • York City FC Foundation • York Gymnastics Club (Heworth)

• • • •

Explore York Libraries LEGO Club Technology in Play Scientots Theatre of Science

BEST DRAMA CLASS • • • •

PQA York York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre Hoglets Stagecoach

BEST DANCE CLASS • • • • •

En Pointe Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance Lisa Marie Performing Arts My Baby Can Dance diddi dance York

BEST PREGNANCY CLASS

BEST ONLINE CLASS • • • •

Story Craft Theatre Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance Fantasy Cheer and Dance Mindfulness for Mums – Yoga for Modern Life with Avocado Events • Theatre of Science

BEST HOLIDAY CLUB OR CAMP • • • •

Camp Xplode Total Sports York Sport Technology in Play

• Stables pregnancy yoga • Pregnancy yoga with Yoga for Modern Life • Hypnobirthing with For Modern Mothers • NCT York www.facebook.com/LittleVikingsUK

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Birthday parties BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY PROVIDER • • • • •

Bish Bash Pot The Woodland Adventure Co. Rainbows Ceramics The Web Adventure Park Agility Fitness Park

BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY ENTERTAINER • • • •

The Magic Hatter Janet and Cassie at Story Craft Theatre Just Josh (Josh Benson) Adam at the Woodland Adventure Co.

Entertainment BEST CINEMA

BEST THEATRE

• • • •

• York Theatre Royal • Grand Opera House • Joseph Rowntree Theatre

Vue Everyman York City Screen Cineworld

Places to stay BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION • • • •

Woodlands Farm Thimbleby 107 Nunnery Lane The Principal York Novotel York

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BEST CAMPING/GLAMPING • • • •

Jollydays Humble Bee Farm Catgill Campsite The Hideaway at Baxby Manor

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Eating Out BEST BREAKFAST

BEST ICE CREAM

• • • •

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The Balloon Tree Robinson’s Brew & Brownie The Pig & Pastry

Trinacria Roberto Authentic Italian Gelato Two Hoots Ice Cream Boat LICC

BEST LUNCH

BEST DATE NIGHT DESTINATION

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• • • •

Plush Cafe Krep Food Truck, Shambles Market Robinson’s Bettys

Roots Skosh Spark:York Everyman York

BEST SUNDAY ROAST • • • •

The Rattle Owl The Balloon Tree Brew York The Three Cups Stamford Bridge

Childcare BEST NURSERY • Little Green Rascals • York Childcare Nurseries • Little Bugs • Orchard Trees Day Nursery

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LITTLE VIKINGS EAT….A SUNDAY ROAST FROM THE HOG AND APPLE AT HOME It’s not everyday that you audition a plate of food, judging whether the flavours sing and the tastes tapdance on the tongue. We don’t usually take eating quite so seriously, but when you’re considering outsourcing the most important meal of the year, a rigorous selection process is a must: nobody wants to be faced with a burnt roastie or flavourless carrot come December 25th.

This year, like many other families, our usual festive plans have been shelved and we’ll be spending Christmas Day at home with the kids but without the extended family to share the terrible cracker jokes. It’s made us think about the kind of Christmas Day that we’d like to have, and I’ve decided that I don’t want to spend it stressing about food. I love to cook, but at Christmas it can be allconsuming, leaving little time to think about or do anything else. This year I’m putting time with the kids first, playing games, watching Christmas movies and not worrying about producing an amazing meal that will be gone in 10 minutes (and largely rejected by the kids anyway).

We’d still love a delicious meal though - it is Christmas after all - just without the faff. So after a bit of research and some recommendations, we discovered that high end Yorkshire catering company, The Hog and Apple, are offering Christmas dinner at home this year. Having been really impressed by their food at Thor’s Tipi over the summer, we thought it would probably be a safe bet.

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But just to be sure, and because we quite fancied a Sunday dinner cooked by someone else, we ordered one of their Hog and Apple and Home Sunday roasts to give it a trial run.

The Hog and Apple at Home service couldn’t be simpler: choose from two or three courses (£20 and £25 per head respectively) and decide between delivery (up to 25 miles radius of York) or collection from The Pig & Pastry on Bishopthorpe Road or Escrick Business Park. We chose the two-course option and collected it from The Pig & Pastry on a Sunday morning, plenty of time before we planned to eat. As it turns out, however, all we needed was fifteen minutes to get it from foil dishes to plate. Thanks to clear instructions and precooking, the promise of a hassle-free meal was delivered in spades, leaving us to relax and enjoy one of the best Sunday dinners we’ve had.

Fears of ‘spoiling our appetite’ for the main event means we don’t normally bother with starters, but the temptation of ham hock proved too much for Mr Viking. It’s one of his favourites and he wasn’t disappointed: the addition of pineapple chutney, celeriac remoulade and chive mayo elevated it to high end restaurant quality. Meanwhile, the bowl of spiced butternut squash proved too hard to resist and I polished off the lot, despite having promised myself that I wouldn’t fill myself up so soon. www.facebook.com/LittleVikingsUK

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One of the many benefits of Sunday lunch at home is that you can take things at your own pace, so after a little lull we warmed up the main courses. Most of the dishes had to be heated in the oven, with a couple of bits just needing a quick blast in the microwave. In just a quarter of an hour we were tucking into one of the best Sunday roasts we’ve had. We both chose the vegan main option, having heard great things about it and despite neither of us being vegan, and it was absolutely delicious. Miso cauliflower steak was the star of the show, surrounded by a moreish selection of imaginative vegetable sides: pea and broad bean smash, rosemary and garlic roast potatoes, broccoli cheese, braised sticky red cabbage and hassleback carrots (who knew that one carrot could taste so good?). Oh, and the all-important Yorkshire puddings of course. To put together a plate of food with such a variety of flavour and texture would have taken us hours of shopping and prepping. To get it all on the table, hot, would be very difficult. To manage it without being flustered? Impossible, in our house at least. To enjoy such a good meal without leaving the house was a real treat, and gave us time to tick some of the endless weekend jobs off the list and play with the kids (another round of Uno, anyone?).

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Speaking of the kids, you might be wondering what we did about their meal.

Rather than forking out for three dinners that might - going on past experience be rejected on the grounds of being ‘too spicy’, I knocked together a quick veggie toad-in-the-hole which they tucked into quite happily. For pudding, I made a simple sticky toffee pudding (find that and the toad-in-the-hole recipe on our website) that we could all enjoy together. Everyone was happy, nobody was stressed and we were all well fed. Even with our harshest Craig Revel-Horwood heads on, The Hog and Apple At Home experience passed the audition with flying festive colours. Christmas dinner, here we come.

Visit https://www.thehogandapple.co.uk/at-home/

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LITTLE VIKINGS BAKE....CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD

Nothing says Christmas like gingerbread, and it doubles as a fun festive activity for kids who like cutting out the shapes, too. Make them to tuck into, or keep some back to hang on your tree (they'll last a few days). Why not go crazy with the decorations?

Our kitchen ended up covered in sprinkles and a snowstorm of icing sugar, but the kids were delighted.

Method 1. Put the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a pan and melt over a low heat until dissolved. Allow to cool, then beat in the egg.

2. Put the remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir. Add the wet mixture and mix well until it comes together to form a stiff dough. Roll into a smooth ball and then put into a bowl. Cover and put in the fridge for a couple of hours or more.

3. When you're ready to roll it out, pre-heat the oven to 190c/170c fan/gas 5.

4. Flour a surface lightly and roll out the dough until it's around 0.5cm thick. Cut out festive shapes of your choice until all the dough has been used. Place the dough shapes on a lined baking sheet (we used three baking sheets and made around 25 biscuits).

Make sure you leave space between the biscuits as they will grow in the oven.

5. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes, until lightly golden. Allow to cool on the trays for 10 minutes, then move to a rack to cool fully.

6. To ice, add a tablespoon of hot water to the icing sugar and mix well. It will form a thick paste that you can pipe using a piping bag or, if you're careful, a thick plastic sandwich bag with a little bit of the corner snipped off. Decorate as you like and then leave to harden.

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Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • • • www.facebook.com/LittleVikingsUK

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110g unsalted butter 75ml golden syrup 80g light brown sugar 250g plain flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ginger 1 teaspoon mixed spice 1 egg, beaten Pinch of salt For the icing 125g icing sugar Decorations of your choice Christmas Issue 38

Little Vikings make… a recycled reindeer decoration As Christmas will be a little different this year, I thought it only fitting that our Christmas craft reflected the past year. A year where we've all made the best of a bad situation and found beauty in the simplest places. So here is how to make a recycled reindeer decoration.

1. Take your circular objects, put them on the card, and draw around them. You need three circles in total 2 bigger 1 smaller. Cut out all three circles.

2. Take one of the big circles and stick on your two small twigs with sellotape, one on each side of the top of the circle. These will be your antlers.

You will need: • Some brown corrugated cardboard: old packaging or boxes are perfect • Two small twigs • A pipe cleaner • 2 googly eyes • An old button (preferably red, but it's not essential) • Some sellotape • Some strong glue • A pair of scissors • A pencil • Two circular things to draw around, one bigger than the other.

• And some Christmas cheer! loop to your circle with sellotape between your two antlers.

3. Take your pipe cleaner and twist it into a loop shape, then stick the bottom of the

4. Take your remaining large circle and cover it with glue, then stick it onto the other circle, sandwiching the antlers and the loop between them.

Thanks to Gemma from Hoglets for providing the craft. Hoglets us a weekly drama and storytelling class in York for babies and toddlers from 0-5 years. See www.hoglets. org.uk for more info.

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5. Take the smaller circle and cover it in glue and stick it onto the reindeer's head, slightly below the centre.

6. Stick your googly eyes onto the reindeer just above the smaller circle, each one slightly to the side. Then in the centre of the smaller circle, stick your button on as the nose. Then finish off your reindeer by drawing on a mouth.

7. And there you have it your very own recycled reindeer to hang on your tree or give as a gift! However you spend Christmas this year, with family, with friends at home or over Zoom I wish you all a very, very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years.

Jokes

What’s an elf’s favourite type of music?

Wrap!

Why doesn’t Santa eat junk food?

It’s bad for his elf!

Why is the turkey never hungry at Christmas?

What’s a duck’s favourite thing about Christmas?

Because it’s stuffed!

The quackers!

Who hides in the bakery at Christmas?

What’s Santa’s favourite pizza?

A mince spy!

The one that’s deeppan, crisp and even!

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Christmas Issue 38

Why Little Vikings loves...

DALBY FOREST There’s a new Gruffalo Spotters Trail A couple of cafe options for refuelling (and

Admission’s free, just pay to park There are walking and cycling trails for all ages

The adventure playground is fantastic LOADS of picnic space)

The forest is vast, beautiful and full of wildlife They sell Christmas trees, straight from the forest

Dalby Visitor Centre, Low Dalby, Thornton-Le-Dale, Pickering YO18 7LT - Open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day - forestryengland.uk/dalby-forest Issue 38

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Take an Unforgettable Trip Enjoy magic, mystery and medieval Christmas decorations!

Pre-book at www.barleyhall.co.uk 2 Coffee Yard, York YO1 8AR Barley Hall is owned by York Archaeological Trust. A registered Charity in England & Wales (No. 509060) and Scotland (SCO42846)