This year, all our children at the perfect age to understand about and delight in Christmas – our 8 year old still believes in Santa, our 6 year old asks Alexa every morning how many days there are left till Christmas day and our 3 year old enthusiastically throws herself into the magic of the season – the food, the music, the decorations and the anticipation of presents.
So, unsurprisingly, Christmas has me feeling extra Santa-mental this year. These fleeting years are the years to make the most of all the Christmas festivities. I am keen to savour these moments while our children still believe…
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It was everything we were hoping for and more…
It was everything we were hoping for and more…
Visiting Santa
We started our day with a trip to Santa’s Village where we were shown around by the friendly elf Glob. We could peek into the rustic wooden huts to see where the elves sleep, wrap presents and sort through post for Santa. The children were able to write a wish to hang on the wishing tree and to write Santa a letter and post it in the North Pole post box.
The whole village was decorated beautifully and felt so authentically elf-like.
Then we got to meet Santa Claus himself for photos and a chat – our little girl was very keen for Santa to know that she wishes for him to bring her “a real unicorn” for Christmas.
The children were then given special money where they could select a present from the magic toy shop.
The magic toy shop
We were very, very impressed by the magic toy shop – while sometimes Santa gives a small gift, maybe a selection box after a visit – he is incredibly generous at Murton Park.
Our children got to select their choice of a large, good quality toy from the well-stocked toy shop.
There was so much choice, with dolls, unicorns, toy trains, jigsaw puzzles and STEM sets to choose from. Our kids came home with a decorate your own jewellery box, a practical joke set and an excavation kit. They were delighted with their presents and sat with them on their laps the entire journey home just so they could look at the boxes.
Train ride with Mother Christmas
Christmas at Murton doesn’t end with Santa though, you also get to ride a train with Mother Christmas. This is no ordinary train ride though – this is more of a party train. Mother Christmas thrills the children with some toilet humour before getting them dancing or, more accurately, doing “elf-a-cise”. After that everyone on the train sings some Christmas songs all together – it’s impossible not to smile at this fun, and slightly surreal journey.
If that isn’t enough to entertain you then there’s still more left to see, including “Murton’s Got Talent?” a silly talent show performed by the Murton elves once an hour. There’s also friendly farm animals to pet, a reindeer food craft to do, a nature trail, an adventure playground and lots of local artisan stalls to browse round for some last minute Christmas shopping. There’s absolutely loads to do, and something for the whole family to enjoy.
Helpfully the stalls we shopped at took card payments, but perhaps take a little bit of cash just in case.
Food and Drink
There are picnic tables around Murton Park if you would like to bring your own food, there’s also a Christmas café in the visitor centre and another café in the John Sawkill building – both sell a range of hot and cold meals and snacks.
I really must recommend the hot chocolate! I got a hot chocolate with Cointreau for £4.50 and it was absolutely incredible. Shots of Baileys and Brandy are also on offer if that’s your tipple of choice.
The details
Christmas at Murton Park will be running throughout December:
Saturday 3rd / Sunday 4th
Saturday 10th / Sunday 11th
Saturday 17th / Sunday 18th
Monday 19th, Tuesday 20th, Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd.
Tickets are £10 per adult, £18 per child and £5 for 0-1 year olds.
For more information and to book your tickets click here: www.murtonpark.co.uk
Murton Park throughout the year
Murton Park is open throughout the year as a Farming and Living History Museum. Once you pay for admission you receive an annual pass and there are regular re-enactment events that you can visit free of charge – whether it’s Vikings, Romans, Tudors or Stone Age themed days, there’s something that will appeal to your children. Annual family passes are a bargain price of £38 (for 2 adults and up to 3 children).
Cathy who is married to Scott and has three lively little'uns. Aged 5, 3 and 1.