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Kids

Winter wonderlands near London

By CW Contributor on 15/10/2018

The not-so-distant tinkling of Christmas bells and the promise of another magical winter wonderland experience is sure to make those of us who aren't Scrooges feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

That is, unless you're a parent. By mid-October, if you haven't booked your central London winter wonderland/Santa's grotto/Nutcracker tickets, parents start to panic once the realisation that almost everything is booked up – yes, even the sane ones. And no, you're not attempting the whole Grandpa-as-Santa fiasco again this year.

Fear not: we’ve found some out-of-this-world Christmas lights, winter wonderlands and Santa’s grottos that are worth getting out of London for. Even better, these places are so magical, they'll make you want to end up on Father Christmas' nice list...

Here are the winter wonderlands worth getting out of London to explore. What Hyde Park?

Best winter wonderland for total escapism: Waddesdon Manor

Best winter wonderland for total escapism: Waddesdon Manor

19th century Waddesdon Manor may only be an hour and twenty minutes' drive from central London, but it will take you and your family to another planet when it comes to Christmas extravaganzas. Waddesdon Manor doesn't do winter wonderland, they live and breathe it, prepping their Christmas festivities for 18 months and adorning the house's 10 15-foot Christmas trees with over 10,000 pea lights and 3,000 baubles. Educational bonus points for kids who attempt to count them all...


This year's theme is 'Carnival', where you'll discover commedia dell'arte-inspired artworks and masked ball decorations, with festive music, colourful lights and performances from Guildhall School of Music & Drama students. So, yeah, expect fireworks.

WHEN
10 November, 2018 - 2 January, 2019​, 11am-6pm, Wednesday-Sunday
WHERE
Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH
Best winter wonderland for tradition at its best: Hever Castle

Best winter wonderland for tradition at its best: Hever Castle

Anne Boleyn's childhood home, Hever Castle and Gardens in Kent, has a reputation for hosting one of the best Christmas winter wonderland spectacles – which is why its twilight Christmas and book-ahead Santa's grotto tickets are all sold out.


Happily, you can still do drop-ins with Saint Nick (available Dec 8, 9, 15, 16 and 20-23). Kids will love following the daytime 'A Christmas Carol' trail, where they'll be met with log fires, twinkling trees, fairground stalls, interactive characters and Siberian huskies as they learn about traditional Christmas tales. 'Twas the night before Christmas, but 'twill be a day to remember for your mini-mes.

WHEN
24 November - 9 December (Wed-Sun), 10-24 December (daily), 10:30am-6pm (last entry 16:30pm)
WHERE
Hever Castle, Hever Road, Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG
Best winter wonderland for lights: Painshill

Best winter wonderland for lights: Painshill

18th century landscape garden Painshill is a 30-minute drive from South London and does a winter wonderland with a lot of sparkle. And shine.


'Festive Illuminations' sees the park transformed into a twinkling winter wonderland, complete with glowing follies, colourful lights, lasers, stunning reflections and a live band. There's also festive food (including a marshmallow log fire) and Santa's Toy Factory, where children are greeted by elves and get to meet the man in red himself. Painshill's experience is after-hours, so you can go off-peak without ending up on the school head's naughty list. Result.

WHEN
24 November - 23 December, 17:00-20:00
WHERE
Painshill Park, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, KT11 1JE
Best winter wonderland for fun and games: Chessington World of Adventure

Best winter wonderland for fun and games: Chessington World of Adventure

Chessington is one of those theme parks that parents keep going back to, because it's actually enjoyable for grownups. Yes, that can exist. While most of the rides are designed for older kids, toddlers can get plenty out of Chessington's 'Winter's Tail,' which handily does theme park, zoo and winter wonderland in one easy 30-minute drive from south London.


Kids can go visit Santa in his grotto, ride the Gruffalo adventure (ideal for little ones, also fun for school-agers) and hang out with Rudolph (or one of his distant cousins), in Chessington's Zoo.

WHEN
1 December - 2 January, 10am-7pm
WHERE
Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE
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