Enchanted Woodland Christmas at Westonbrit

The Enchanted Christmas will return this year with a new children's winter wonderland, the magical illuminated trail route through the Old Arboretum and gifts and festive fare.

Pre-book now!

Book in advance online or call 03000 680400 (booking fee applies). You can also buy tickets on site from the Forest Shop.

The Enchanted Christmas takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 25 November - 18 December 2011.
5.00 - 8.30pm (last entry at 7.15pm). Adults £9, concessions £8, children £5.

Meet Father Christmas and his real reindeer at the big switch-on, Friday 25 November at 4.45pm!

Meet Westonbirt Arboretum's special Father Christmas, his helpers and real reindeer at our launch event.
You have the chance to become one of Father Christmas' helpers by entering our Christmas poster competition - find out more here.

Taking the trail

The illuminated trail is approximately one mile long and follows the hard paths of the Old Arboretum. These paths are accessible for buggies, wheelchairs and electric scooters which can be booked in advance by calling 01666 881218.
Sorry, dogs (except assistance dogs) are not allowed on the trail because it is in the Old Arboretum, our dog free zone.

NEW Children's winter wonderland

The Education Centre will be transformed into a wintry delight with snow, icicles and festive decorations. Take part in Christmas crafts, find out about winter customs, learn about the history of Christmas trees.

Courtyard

Here you can find all the caterers serving food ranging from BBQ, burgers and chips, mulled wine and mince pies. We will also have a children's carousel, a traditional sweet stall and hot roasted chestnuts. Every evening, you will find a choir singing, you will also be able to meet our special Father Christmas and our Christmas stilt walker. 

Friends' Friday admission offer

On Fridays, Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum members will receive a 50% discount on the full ticket price. Children (under 19s) accompanying parent/ guardian members go free.

Discounted entry for pre-booked groups

Special admission rates for groups of over 10 people apply. Visit ourgroup travel pages, call 01666 881200 or e-mailhelen.d.daniels@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Christmas tree sales

Real Christmas trees and wreaths are for sale from the opening night of the Enchanted Christmas event. Available from the Westonbirt Plant Centre(01666 880544).

Christmas gifts

Discover great gift ideas in the Christmas Market and Forest Shop. Both stay open until 8.30pm each evening.

Eat, drink and be merry

Extend the festivities by booking a two-course Christmas Carvery at Maples Restaurant.
- £16.95 for adults and children aged 8 years and above
- £8.95 for children under 7 years
- under 3s eat free
Served between 5.30pm-7.30pm. Advance booking required, call 01666 880064.
Caterers will also be available in the Courtyard Café area, selling hog roast, BBQ plus hot and cold drinks.

NEW for 2011 - Christmas Carvery and trail ticket package

Pre-book our Maples Carvery festive package and receive a discount on your Enchanted Christmas illuminated trail ticket!
- Adult £23.95 (save £2)
- Concession £22.95 (save £1)
- Child 8-16 £20.95 (save £1)
- Child 5-7 £12.95 (save £1)
- Child 3-4 £8.95 (paying for meal only)
- Child 0-2 Free
Booking of the trail and meal package is only available via the Box Office on 03000 680400. This special package rate has limited availability and is not applicable with the half price Friends tickets on Fridays. See the terms and conditions for more details.

Christmas choirs

Local choirs gather visitors in festive spirit, singing well known classics and modern Christmas carols.

Painswick Rococo Gardens

One of my favourite gardens in the Cotswolds is the Rococo Gardens in Painswick. It is a perfect day out.... beautiful gardens, extraordinarily good cafe, unique follies, great seasonal events and- of course- their famous snowdrops.

They have been very busy making some really nice videos over the past weeks that I thought were worth sharing. I hope they inspire you to stop by the next time you are in the area.










For full details on the gardens, please visit their new website at http://www.rococogarden.org.uk/Home.aspx

If you're looking for a very nice place to stay in Painswick, have a look at Byfield House. Top rated in Painswick by TripAdvisor and a locally run B&B.

The Holidays Are Over? Never!

Well, Christmas and New Years have been and gone.   Nothing left to do now but box everything up, resolve to do commit to some terribly boring New Year's resolution, and head back to the old hum drum of work...

What utter tosh!  Anyone who's done a fair bit of travelling knows that January is the time to take those trips that are normally too expensive, or involve too many crowds.  The best hotels and restaurants all quiet down, and are ready to offer savvy travelers the very best deals to keep the cash flowing during the essential first quarter and without sacrificing a bit of quality.


I've had a good root 'round the winter offerings at our hotel booking partner, Late Rooms (specialists in last minute deals at unique UK hotels), and there are some rather tempting deals out there right now.  Of course, if you just want the absolute cheapest deal, there are some solid little B&B's out there that will put you in the Cotswolds for under 50 USD/28GBP a night.   But my pick has to be The Chure House in Stow-on-the-Wold as the perfect winter hideaway at a great price. I considered 4-star hotels with the best and most guest reviews, plus value for money.  

The Chure House has received only '5 star' reviews from it's 30 reviewers, and is right in the middle of beautiful Stow, surrounded by the best Cotswold countryside.  At the time of writing, they're offering 5 nights for two (checking in 16 Jan) at only 379 GBP, or just under $615.  That's a seriously good deal.  Check out the guest reviews right here: http://www.laterooms.com/en/p6883/hotel-reviews/154845_chure-house-stow-on-the-wold.aspx


Here's what they have to say about themselves:

"Chure House Luxury B & B in central Stow-on-the-Wold is within the town conservation area. It is a minute's walk to the Town Square yet is very quietly located. Chure House is a 4 star property graded by Visit Britain and has also been awarded a prestigious Silver Award for service, hospitality and cleanliness.The bedrooms are all furnished to a particularly high standard with new, quality furnishings including pocket-sprung mattresses and seating with chairs and table. All rooms have a hospitality tray including cafetiere coffees, a selection of teas, digital freeview television, central heating, hair dryer, clock/radio and fluffy towels. All bedrooms have new en-suites with luxurious shower baths and Mira showers.Our breakfast is extensive using the local butcher's old-styled cured bacon and home-made sausages. The produce we use is all fresh, free-range and locally-sourced whenever possible. Vegetarians are catered for and any other dietary requirements. A sunny, walled garden, opening with French doors from the dining room, has outdoor seating and umbrellas and is specially for guests' use where you can sit peacefully and enjoy a book or just soak up the sun. Chure House has only three bedrooms so you are assured personal service. The proprietor, Mrs Jill Barclay, has previously owned award-winning hotels in Cornwall and on the South Coast of England."


To make a booking at The Cure House, click here:  http://www.laterooms.com/en/p6883/hotel-reservations/154845_chure-house-stow-on-the-wold.aspx

Christmastime in The Cotswolds

Just thought I'd post some nice photos of The Cotswolds at Christmas- if you have some nice ones, please share on our Facebook page.

Christmas Cheer, Real Ale, and a Roaring Fire in Chipping Campden

Even though I'm not there at the moment, I can actually smell Christmas at The Ebrington Arms after having heard about it.

This outstanding village inn won North Cotswolds Pub of the Year this year from CAMRA and their chef is in this year's Good Food Guide.  It's a proper 17th century village pub just outside Chipping Campden, complete with open log fires, and even has three bedrooms in case you'd rather stay the night (and sample all their delicious local brews).  The inn also has beautiful views across the Cotswold hills.  My experience there has never been anything less than perfect and, maybe most important of all, the owners and staff are some of the nicest people around.

As for that Christmas smell... here's a little snippet, in their own words, about Christmas at their pub:

"The Cotswolds are stunning all year round but no time is quite as magical as Christmas and New Year...  With thatched cottages billowing smoke from their chimneys and the open countryside covered in a crystal-like frost, it is a beautiful time to explore the Cotswold villages. Even better when you return home to our welcoming pub to sample our delicious homecooking in front of our roaring log fires. Not to mention the odd pint of real ale (lovingly looked after by landlord Jim) or a homemade glass of spicy mulled wine...

The Ebrington Arms is the true hub of the village community at Christmas and New Year - with carol singing, impromptu live music and a fair bit of liquid celebration! It is indeed the most fun place to be during the festive season for miles and miles around – an you too could be part of it..."

I've already got my coat on...

Click here to find out more and experience The Ebrington Arms

Cheltenham Fireworks by Steam Train!

This Saturday night, if you're going to the Cheltenham Fireworks, enjoy a relaxing ride on the GWR Steam Train to and from the event... and skip all the traffic!

As firework displays go, it's pretty hard to beat the annual Round Table Fireworks Spectacular at Cheltenham Racecourse, which this year is on Saturday evening, 7^th November 2009. This is without a shadow of doubt one of the best displays in the South West and attracts some 15,000 people. And of course, all those people come by car which is fine as they don't arrive all at once - but once the display is over everyone rushes for their car and you can sit waiting to get out for half an hour or more.


Now here is a brilliant way to spend that half-hour and it's a sure way to beat the exit traffic jams.

The romance of a steam train journey through the night. That in itself is a rare treat and looking out of the window you can often see the glow of the locomotive's fire on the white steam coming from the chimney, as the fireman throws a few more well-placed shovelfuls of coal into the firebox. This is the stuff of imagination; of romantic old movies; of far-away destinations with a powerful locomotive forging through the Autumnal darkness, unending miles passing beneath the clickety-click of the wheels…

Well, ten miles at any rate. Park for free at Toddington station in time to catch the Fireworks Express which departs promptly at 18.00 for Cheltenham Racecourse. You can enjoy refreshments from the buffet on the way and the display is less than five minutes' walk from the Racecourse station. The train will return about 20 minutes after the show has ended.

No need to book - just turn up and buy your tickets at Toddington booking office. Normal fares apply and remember, if you've travelled on the GWR during the day, your tickets will still be valid during the evening!

At the Racecourse, there will be a musical roadshow leading up to the display by Star FM, a comprehensive fairground while the fireworks, which start at 7.00pm, will be co-ordinated to themed music and led by DJ Joe Lemer.

The entry price, which is in addition to the train fare, is £5 for adults and £3 for children (age 5-14 years).



Contact Details:
The Railway Station
Toddington
Cheltenham
Glos
GL54 5DTTel: +44 01242 621405

Country Wines from The Cotswolds

I love country wine. The huge variety of flavours offers up something perfect for any occasion, and they can even be drunk seasonally (I'm partial to Strawberry Wine in the summer and Mead in the depths of winter).

When I lived in Cheltenham, one of the many high points of the Farmer's Market was a stop at the St. Anne's Vineyard booth, where an endless and always changing choice of delicious, perfectly made country wines was (and still is) on offer.  Before moving to Cheltenham I had never tried country wine, and it was St. Anne's Elderflower wine that converted me... and their Mead that made me a bit of a fanatic.  This plonk is locally made right in the Cotswolds (Newent) by a couple who clearly know what they're doing and are very passionate about their product, and a tasting is highly recommended if you are passing through.  They offer tasting tours to groups of 15-25 and if you miss the farmer's market, are on sale around Gloucestershire.

Visit St. Anne's Vineyard's Website


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