Ad (tickets gifted): We went to the eagerly anticipated Christmas at Bolesworth this December. This is the first year Bolesworth have run their Christmas event and I know many of you are wondering what it’s like.

The great British weather treated us to a selection of heavy rain, high winds and hail storms and yet we all still really enjoyed it, although I think I’m still drying out from the experience 🤣

I knew it was going to be good when the kids got excited before we’d even left the A41, from where they spotted the long stretch of entrance lights and Bolesworth house lit up blue!

The entrance to it is on Old Coach Road off the A41, look out for the yellow sign, but in the dark it’s easy to miss so best put it into your sat nav (use my link in the Info bar). After what feels like the longest drive in, you’ll eventually be parked up by the attendants.

There are no signposts telling you where the entrance is, so just look for the big square gateway, head there where someone will scan your ticket and let you in.

Here’s what you can expect when you get in:

Christmas Lights Trail: We started off by doing this 1.2 mile trail around the grounds of Bolesworth. It runs along the lakeside, through the woods with loads of coloured lights and animal sculptures. Halfway around there are some reindeer to see and it ends with a really cool light tunnel. It’s just the right length for little legs.

Arena Light & Laser Show: Every half an hour there’s a 5 minute laser show set to music in an area next to the Alpine Lodge. I have to say, although only short, we all really loved this. I can’t think I’ve taken the kids anywhere before where they’ve seen a laser show so they were all quite captivated by it.

Ice Rink: We didn’t get to try this as it was fully booked but we had a quick peek in. It’s a small, synthetic rink and fully covered so it doesn’t matter what the weather’s doing.

Fairground: From the minute we got there the kids were desperate to get on these rides!! There are a mix of rides for older and younger children. Prices are around £3-£4 per rider. The kids bled us dry!!

Santa’s Grotto: Again we didn’t get to try this but a couple of friends have fed back positively and said their kids enjoyed it.

Alpine Lodge: A large marquee bar next to the laser show. I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the heaters in this bar for warming us up 🤣

Christmas Village: Right at the entrance there are a number of food and shopping stalls, the kids were all satisfied with their burgers, chips and pizza here. There was also a choir singing carols here which was a lovely touch, although we’d already seen & chatted to them at a garden centre that morning so they probably thought we were stalking them!

Here’s my hints and tips to get the most out of your visit:

- Take wellies, it will be muddy!

- Full wet/cold weather gear is a must. I was so wrapped up I doubt my own mother would have recognised me!

- Most of the fairgrounds rides take card payment (it felt very modern paying by card at a fairground, I hate scrambling round for cash!) however the odd ride didn’t so do take cash with you.

- If either you can’t get an early slot for the ice rink and Santa or they’re fully booked then I still think there’s plenty to do. We arrived just after 5 and left about 8.30 without doing either the ice rink or Santa’s grotto. After the lights trail, we had drinks in the Alpine bar, spent a good while at the fair then grabbed some food and watched the skaters. Just be prepared to spend some more money on these extras.

- If you’ve got tired kids with you and they’re being reluctant walkers then rather than starting the trail at the official start (by the laser show) you can cut the corner off by starting the trail at the path near the top left corner of the fair (with the house facing you) as I don’t think you’d miss too much doing that.

- Despite having to cancel their opening night twice and therefore having lots of people rebooking onto this weekend, it really didn’t feel crowded at all, so if you are concerned about socially distancing then I don’t think it is a problem.

- As the laser show is short I would recommend watching it twice, we did it at the start and end of our visit.

Hope that helps anyone thinking of visiting!