Top 10 Local Winter Activities for 2021

Christmas is just around the corner, so what better way to get into the festive spirit than to take a look at our top 10 local winter activities for 2021?

Last year was a bust, lets not beat around the bush. We could see friends or family, we couldn’t celebrate and we couldn’t go out and explore the winter wonders around us. This year however is a completely different story! We wanted to go all out in this list of local winter activities for 2021 and be sure that there is something for everyone on this list!

As always, if you need any advice or want any personal suggestions for when you visit one of the properties we manage, then just let us know and we will be sure to help where we can!

Local Activities For Festive Fairs

1. Mill Road Saturdays, Cambridge

From Alisa Anton on UnSplash

Kicking off our list of the top 10 local winter activities for 2021 are the Mill Road Saturdays in the beautiful city of Cambridge.

The Mill Road Winter Fair is an amazing celebration of community along on of Cambridge’s most vibrant, diverse and well-known roads! However due to COVID uncertainties this year, the Winter Fair has been adapted and for 2021, will be a smaller event held on Donkey Common and Petersfield on the 4th of December.

The event will feature crafts, charity stalls and buskers, with colourful bunting lining the roads of the event.

  • Location: Donkey Common, Cambridge CB1 1NA
  • Dates: 4th December 2021
  • Times: 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
  • Prices: N/A
  • Contact:
    • Phone: N/A
    • Email: info@millroadwinterfair.org

 

More information on Mill Road Saturdays

2. East of England Christmas Fair, Peterborough

From Alisa Anton on UnSplash

The East of England Christmas Fair is definitely an event you don’t want to miss, featuring food, drink, crafts, gifts and a wide range of stalls, the fair is a one-stop-shop to do all of your Christmas shopping this year!

The craft section hosts a large number of local and national artists including jewellers, potters, designers, wood turners and blacksmiths. The food hall offers an array of different foods to buy and sample including pies, cakes, fresh meats and produce, cheese, wines and spirits – the perfect Christmas hamper!

The gift marquee offers everything from quality country clothing, hats and scarfs, boots, home and garden accessories – a great melange of gifts for all the family! If you get peckish during your visit, why not check out the delicious food at the specialist street food vendors and bars? Relax and take in the entertainment and music supplied by the fair to give you that festive cheer you’ve been looking for this year!

  • Location: East of England Showground, Oundle Road, Peterborough PE2 6XE
  • Dates: 11th and 12th of December 2021
  • Times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Prices (on the day):
    • Adults: £10.00
    • Over 65’s: £9.00
    • Child (up to 14 years with paying adult): £4.00
  • Contact:
    • Phone: N/A
    • Email: N/A

 

More information on The East of England Christmas Fair

3. Burghley House Christmas Fair, Stamford

Burghley House from their website

Our final Christmas fair on this list of local winter activities is the fantastic Burghley House Christmas Fair in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Hosted in the incredible and historic Burghley House, this fair offers a unique shopping experience in impressive surroundings!

You will wander through decorative chalets, marquees as a wide variety of vendors and exhibitors showcase everything from luxury gifts, artisan foods, festive treats, winter clothing and much more!

  • Location: Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 3JY
  • Dates: Thursday 25th – Sunday 28th November 2021
  • Times: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
  • Prices:
    • Adults (+18): £5.00
    • Under 18’s: Free
  • Contact:
    • Phone: 01780 752 451
    • Email: burghley@burghley.co.uk

More information on Burghley Christmas Fair

Local Activities For Christmas in Nature

4. Father Christmas at Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire

From the National Trust website

The perfect treat for the little ones! Get the family together for a festive day out and meet Father Christmas this year at the beautiful Wicken Fen Nature Reserve!

Join the elves to make a special Christmas tree decoration, and collect a Christmas craft pack to take home some festive cheer!  Pop into the Fen Cottage where Father Christmas will be warming his toes by the fire – he will have a present for you too of course!

  • Location: Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5XP
  • Dates:
    • 4th – 5th of December (Mother Christmas will be standing in for Father Christmas on the 4th and 5th of December while he is very busy elsewhere)
    • 11th – 12th of December
    • 16th of December
    • 18th – 21st of December
  • Times:
    • 10:30 am
    • 11:30 am
    • 12:30 pm
    • 2:00 pm
    • 3:00 pm
  • Prices: 
    • £10 per ticket (no charge for accompanying adults, a maximum of two adults per child, when visiting Father or Mother Christmas)
  • Contact:
    • Phone: 01353 720274
    • Email: wickenfen@nationaltrust.org.uk

 

More information on Father Christmas at Wicken Fen

5. Santa's Grotto at Shepreth Wildlife Park, Hertfordshire

From Mike Arney on UnSplash

If you want to walk on the wild side with Santa this year, then why not visit Santa at Shepreth Wildlife Park?

Take in the wild animals and gorgeous creatures around you and then head to the grotto next to the SWCC hedgehog hospital to meet Santa Claus and his elf! Your little one will receive a Christmas gift as well as one free child winter pass into the wildlife park, redeemable between the 1st of October and the 31st of March in any year.

The visit to Santa doesn’t include entry into the wildlife park, and entry into the park isn’t necessary for this experience, however if you want to make a day of it, we would highly recommend a visit to the park too!

All funds raised go to support the hedgehog rescue programme at Shepreth.

  • Location: Station Road, Shepreth, Nr. Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 6PZ
  • Dates:
    • 11th – 12th December
    • 18th – 19th December
    • 24th December
  • Times: Dependant on date, see website for more information.
  • Prices: £10.00
  • Contact:
    • Phone: 01763 262226
    • Email: N/A

 

More information on Santa’s Grotto at Shepreth Wildlife Park

6. Wimpole Estate Christmas Lights Trail, Cambridgeshire

From Cole Ciarlello on UnSplash

Look forward to some family together time and make everlasting memories, as you discover sparkling tunnels of light, dancing reflections and trees drenched in jewel-like colour. For a moment of reflection pause at mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden, gaze up at larger-than-life illuminations and don’t forget to glimpse Father Christmas along the way!

The Wimpole crew of talented independent street food vendors bring a delicious twist to tasty treats on offer. Have yourself a holly, jolly Christmas and complete your walk under the stars with a spiced winter warmer or hot chocolate shared with someone special.

  • Location: Arrington, Royston, Cambridgeshire, SG8 0BW
  • Dates:
    • Friday 26th November – Sunday 28th November
    • Friday 3rd December – Sunday 5th December
    • Wednesday 8th December – Friday 24th December
    • Sunday 26th December – Sunday 2nd January
  • Times: Dependant on date chosen, visit the website for more information.
  • Prices: Dependant on age, time of booking and member status, visit the website for more information.
  • Contact:
    • Phone: 01223 206000
    • Email: wimpolehall@nationaltrust.org.uk

 

More information on Wimpole Estate Christmas Lights Trail

Local Activities For Nine-Ladies-Dancing Days Out

7. Rapunzel at the ADC Theatre, Cambridge

From the ADC theatre, Cambridge website

“Welcome to Rapunzel! In a land where art has been banned and all the Dames have been banished, can this kingdom be brought back to life?

In a dastardly plan to keep them away from his crown, the evil King sends his nephew and niece, Prince Victor and Princess Stella, on a quest to save Rapunzel from her dragon-guarded tower in the hopes that they perish. Along the way they instead encounter adventure, hilarity, and friendship. Join Victor and Stella on their way to save Rapunzel and, ultimately, the entire kingdom.”

The Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club and Cambridge Footlights at the ADC Theatre bring live pantomimes back with a queer and colourful bang! Offering a celebration of individuality, uniqueness and self-love – be sure to not miss this fantastic show!

  • Location: ADC Theatre, Park Street, Cambridge CB5 8AS
  • Dates: Wednesday 24th of November – Saturday 4th of December 2021
  • Times: Dependant on date booked, visit the website for more information.
  • Prices: £13.50 – £16.00 (visit the website for more information).
  • Contact:
    • Phone: 01223 300085
    • Email: boxoffice@adctheatre.com

 

More information on Rapunzel at the ADC Theatre

8. Horrible Histories Car Park Panto, Duxford

From the Duxford website

“Horrible Histories return with a unique take on the festive season. HORRIBLE CHRISTMAS is the story of how Christmas came to be what it is today, encouraging families to enter the festive spirit in a safe, socially distanced manner, from the comfort of their own car!

When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it’s up to one young boy to save the day – but can he save Christmas? From Victorian villains to Medieval monks, Puritan parties to Tudor treats, join us on a hair‐raising adventure through the history of Christmas in the company of Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII and St Nicholas as they all join forces to save the festive season!” 

A fantastic day out for all the family – expect laughter, history, new knowledge and a celebration of Christmas in the most wonderful, funny and moving way you’ll ever see!

  • Location: IWM Duxford, Duxford Airfield, Building 425, Cambridge CB22 4QR
  • Dates: Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th December 2021
  • Times: 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm
  • Prices: Tickets per car, visit the website for more information
  • Contact:
    • Phone: 020 7091 3067
    • Email: N/A

 

More information on Horrible Histories Car Park Panto

9. Aladdin at The Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge

From the Cambridge Arts Theatre website

“All your wishes shall be granted this Christmas as Cambridge Arts Theatre’s spectacular family pantomime Aladdin flies into town on a magical carpet ride.

Aladdin longs for riches, good fortune and his one true love while stuck working in Widow Twankey’s launderette. But when the dastardly Abanazar lures him into the depths of a deep dark cave, Aladdin’s life is turned upside down! With the Genie by his side and the magic lamp in his pocket, Aladdin finds himself on the adventure of a lifetime. But Abanazar has other plans… can Aladdin defeat him and win the hand of the Princess, or will he be back in the launderette before you can say ‘open sesame’?”

This fantastic show is full of singalong songs, sparkling costumes and side-splitting jokes – perfect for the whole family! Christmas just wouldn’t be complete without the Arts Theatre pantomime so make sure to book for an unforgettable day out!

  • Location: 6 St Edward’s Passage, Cambridge CB2 3PJ
  • Dates: Thursday 2nd of December 2021 – Sunday 9th of January 2022
  • Times: Dependant on date booked – visit the website for more information.
  • Prices: Dependant on age and area booked – visit the website for more information.
  • Contact:
    • Phone: 01223 503333
    • Email: N/A

 

More information on Aladdin at The Cambridge Arts Theatre

10. The North Pole at Parkers' Piece, Cambridge

From the North Pole, Cambridge website

Finishing our list of our top 10 local winter activities is The North Pole, Cambridge! In the centre of the park, in Parker’s Piece, Cambridge’s very own winter wonderland has everything you need to start feeling festive! The North Pole, Cambridge will have Christmas markets, specialty food nights and a variety of festive rides – including the opportunity to soar above the park, taking in spectacular views of Cambridge and beyond, on the new Big Wheel!

The return of the popular clear roof offers skaters a truly magical skating experience without having to worry about the weather! After your skating session, why not visit the brand-new Ice bar? Wrap up warm and enjoy our frozen, festive bar with friends and family.

  • Location: The North Pole Cambridge, Cambridge CB1 1NA
  • Dates: 19th November 2021 – 3rd January 2022 (excluding Christmas Day)
  • Times:
    • 12:00 am – 8:45 pm weekdays (last skate 8:00 pm)
    • 11:00 am – 8:45 pm weekends (last skate 8:00 pm)
  • Prices: Dependant on age, visit the website for more information
  • Contact:
    • Phone: N/A
    • Email: hello@thenorthpolecambridge.co.uk

More information on The North Pole Cambridge

We hope this list has provided you with a wide variety of local winter activities to make your stay with us even more enjoyable!

Remember we are always on hand to offer any advice, to provide information, or to answer any queries you might have. Just get in touch below, and we will respond to your request as soon as possible!

Festive wishes,

Team Boutique Lux