Dorset Events to Enjoy with All the Family this Winter

It’s wonderful to spend time with family at any time of year, but people tend to make an extra special effort around the Christmas period. For those of you who are now living at our Monterey property and are expecting family to visit you there are lots of local events that you can take the whole family to this year. Whether it’s ice skating (taking the role of family photographer if you’re not a keen skater!), watching a traditional panto, visiting Santa’s grotto or even going hunting for Santa’s missing reindeers, there’s something for everyone.

Outdoor Ice Rink

Open from the 16th November, the Bournemouth ice skating rink is a great festive treat. Complete with beautiful lights, skate rental and ice bowling. That’s right, it’s not just about ice skating at the rink this year, it’s family friendly with the Rinky Dinks ice rink specially for smaller children, ideal for those dinky grandchildren, and Gliders an exciting ice bowling team game. Ice skating can be nerve-wracking so don’t think that you can only enjoy taking the children and grandchildren if you participate. You can either choose to get involved in the ice bowling team game, or if you would prefer a more relaxed trip why not designate yourself as the family photographer? You can take a flask of hot drink with you, wrap up warm, and take those memorable family photos that will be looked back on with joy. Or make the most of Moguls Bar rather than bring your own drink. You could even use the pictures you take for some photograph based Christmas presents!

Opening times & dates:

16th November 2017 – 2nd January 2018 (except Christmas Day)

Monday – Sunday: 10:30am – 10pm

Tickets*

Adults: £9

Child: £7

To watch and visit Moguls Bar: Free

*pre-booking is recommended.

Panto in Bournemouth

Fee-fi-fo-fum! What a well-known and exciting set of ‘words’! How many of us have repeated them to children and grandchildren over the years? Well, this winter the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre are welcoming an all-star cast production of the famous Jack and the Beanstalk tale. There will be all the classic hallmarks of a panto, perfect for dazzling grandchildren, as well as famous celebrities such as Rachel Stevens from S Club 7 and Holby City’s Mark Moraghan! Taking your grandchildren to see this production could even give their parents the chance to do the Christmas shopping while the kids are off their hands!

Times & dates:

2nd December – 1st January 2018

Monday – Sunday 2:30pm – 4pm & 5:30pm – 7pm

Tickets:

£18.50 – £21.50

Santa’s Grotto in Poole

Even as adults we can all appreciate the magic of Santa’s Grotto! Meeting elves and Mr Claus himself will be an experience your grandchildren won’t forget and you can meet them all at The Ark in Poole this Christmas. Your grandchildren will be helped by elves to write their letters to Santa, they can have a go at gingerbread decorating, Christmas tree decoration crafts and making Rudolph his reindeer snack for Christmas eve. The best part will be meeting Santa himself and receiving a goodiebag to take home. This is a great day out for the grandchildren and can be extended if you want to get tickets for the soft play and ice rink too!

Times & dates:

Weekends only until Saturday 16th December and then daily until 24th December.

10:30pm – 5:30pm

Tickets:

£12.50 a child – pre-booking is essential

The Great Reindeer Hunt!

Edward Bear and his family are getting ready for Christmas but Santa’s reindeer are missing! Explore Edward’s festively decorated house with all the family and find the reindeers with your grandchildren. A charming vintage house is the locale of this festive fun, namely The Teddy Bear Museum in Dorchester. So, why not help Santa find his reindeer and when your grandchildren find them all they’ll be given their very own teddy bear to take home. With lots of sweet teddy bears from over 100 years to see and delightful decorations, this really is a wonderful experience for the family.

Times & dates:

October – March open 7 days a week, 10am-4pm.

Closed Christmas Eve to Boxing Day inclusive.

Tickets:

Adults: £6.50

Children: £6.50

Under 3’s: Free

Family (2 Adults & 2 Children): £23.99

There’s lots to enjoy during this season in Christchurch and the surrounding area. We still have availability in our Monterey property in Christchurch Dorset. How does next Christmas at Monterey sound to you? Call us on 01202 471461 and find out how we can help you get the retirement you deserve.