Venture a little bit further out of Chester to Tatton Park and you will discover a selection of Christmas events to suit the whole family and get you in the festive spirit. Find out more from Tatton Park here …
It’s a joyful Christmas at Tatton Park
Tatton Park’s Christmas events have gone on sale this week, with tickets and reservations now bookable at www.tattonpark.org.uk
One Snowy Night: a Christmas Garden Tale starts 27th November
This festive feel-good family event is based on Nick Butterworth’s much-cherished book ‘One Snowy Night’, where Percy the Park Keeper helps his animal friends escape the cold on a chilly Christmas Eve. Brrrrrr…. you’ll need a trail sheet, winter woollies and a keen eye to spot Percy’s animal friends along the way. Warm up toasting marshmallows by the fire, before heading off to spot Percy’s gift from the animals under the Christmas tree. Children will receive a tasty treat from Percy at the end.
A natural home for Percy the Park Keeper this Christmas
Tatton Park has been running Percy Park Keeper events since April, with a series of interactive trails that have brought Nick Butterworth’s wonderfully illustrated stories to life for thousands of visitors, young and old. One Snowy Night: A Christmas Garden Tale runs from 27th November until 3rd January 2022.
The multi award-winning author and creator of Percy the Park Keeper stories, Nick Butterworth, explains his inspiration for writing One Snowy Night and how Tatton Park is a very natural home for Percy the Park Keeper this Christmas:
“I was on a winter walk in our local park. As I followed a frosty path, I saw a light through the mist ahead. Closer, I saw that it came from the open door of a little hut. I peeped inside and saw that someone had made a very cosy place in the middle of this chilly setting. An armchair. Pictures on the wall. A table. And, most welcoming of all, the happy sound of a whistling kettle coming to the boil. My imagination began to work. You could live in a hut like this. This lovely park would be your garden. And of course, the animals who live in the park would be your friends…I went home, grabbed an old exercise book, and started to write:
It’s cold in the park in Winter. But Percy the Park Keeper doesn’t mind…”
Nick Butterworth, author and illustrator of One Snowy Night
Meet Father Christmas at the Farm from 27th November
Father Christmas and his elf helpers are joining Tatton Park’s farmyard friends once again. This popular family event is selling fast after launching this week, with limited dates available between 27th November and 21st December. Not only will you meet the big man himself in his grotto, but there’s also a live nativity scene to enjoy in the stable. Hop into Santa’s sleigh for a selfie when he’s not looking, and then stop off at the 18th century Mill to make reindeer food to take home with you ready for Christmas Eve.
Café in the Barn
In honour of Father Christmas staying for a few weeks, the Farm is converting their Education Room and Kitchen into a Christmas Café. The Clydesdale Barn overlooks the paddocks between the farmyard and adventure playground, and will be serving mince pies, cakes, mulled wine, tea and coffee. “Christmas is magical on the Farm” says Tatton Park Farm Manager, Jayne Chapman, “with the animals around the nativity and Santa in his grotto, it’s the perfect start to your Christmas festivities.”
Northern Chamber Orchestra Concerts on 10th December
The Northern Chamber Orchestra is performing a traditional festive concert in the Tenants’ Hall at Tatton Park. Due to popular demand, they’ve added a matinee concert this year at 3.30pm as well as the 7pm performances! Expect excerpts performed by the Northern Chamber Orchestra, festive songs sung by the Choir of St Nicholas Catholic High School, Northwich, and much-loved carols for all to sing. The concert tickets include a glass of winter punch and a concert of classical masterpieces, carols and songs.
Christmas Carols in the Stableyard on 19th December
Singing wasn’t allowed last year (seems strange even to write that), so all the more reason to come along to Tatton Park’s Christmas Carols in the Stableyard on Sunday 19th December, where you’re invited to belt out some of your all-time-favourite carols with friends and family. It’s a free event, where song sheets will be handed out to willing carollers and singing is accompanied by the King Edward Musical Society Band and Choir.
Pop into the Stableyard shops for last minute gifts and bespoke Christmas hampers, warm up with takeaway food and drink from the Stables Restaurant or book Festive Afternoon Tea in the Gardener’s Cottage.
