Christmas lunch at the View Café
30 Nov–3 Dec, 7–10 Dec…
Christmas lunch at the View Café offers a choice of two- or three-course festive meals, with traditional, vegetarian and vegan main-course options.
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is an accessible East of England county offering historic towns, scenic walks, cultural attractions, and unique local foods.
Art Club: Father Christmas
2 Dec
A festive art workshop led by tutor Libby, with Father Christmas as its theme. It is the final session in Something Less Boring’s Autumn-Winter art courses.
Near Dunstable Downs
Dunstable Downs, the highest point in Bedfordshire, is a chalk escarpment in the Chiltern Hills offering outdoor activities like gliding and kite flying, with rich natural history and ancient archaeological sites. It is managed by the National Trust and accessible via walking trails.
Walking with The Snowman™ at Wrest Park
7 Nov–9 Dec
Families can follow a winter sculpture trail through the grounds at Wrest Park, discovering twelve Snowmen inspired by The Twelve Days of Christmas. Each sculpture hides a letter, and collecting all twelve reveals a Christmas word.
Near Wrest Park
Wrest Park is a Grade I listed country estate in Bedfordshire featuring a historic English country house with early Rococo Revival interiors and extensive formal gardens with notable landscaping by Capability Brown. Visitors can explore both indoor historic interiors and outdoor formal gardens, with the estate also serving as a filming location for various productions.
Festival of Lights Celebration
15 Nov
A Diwali celebration featuring performances by the tabla and flute duo Soulful Sangeet, alongside traditional crafts and games. Attendees can experience the festival’s colours and lights and learn more about its story.
Autumn-Winter Outdoor Play at Dunstable Downs
7 Oct 2026–28 Feb 2027 (another 142 days)
Families can enjoy outdoor play at Dunstable Downs, including a welly wander, building woodland dens, making muddy creations, and playing outdoor hopscotch while exploring seasonal changes and wildlife.
October Half Term: Spooky Silent Disco
28 Oct, 30–31 Oct
A Halloween-themed silent disco for children aged 3–12 and their families, with attendees wearing headphones and dancing to music in the View Café.
Seasonal Wreath Making Workshop
5 Dec
Participants make a festive wreath using seasonal foliage, dried fruit, ribbons and other decorations, with guidance from florists. Materials are provided, and attendees can personalise their wreath.
Near Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral is a 9.5-acre garden in Bedfordshire laid out in the form of a cathedral using various tree species. It serves as a living tribute and a place of reflection with chapels for each season and is managed by the National Trust.
Halloween half-term at Wrest Park
24 Oct–1 Nov
A Halloween half-term event at Wrest Park with family activities and entertainment, including interactive storytelling, spooky games, a themed trail and a fancy-dress competition.
2 miles from De Grey Mausoleum
The De Grey Mausoleum in Flitton, Bedfordshire, is a significant historic mausoleum housing many monuments to the De Grey family, featuring architecture from the early 17th to 18th century. It is open to the public under English Heritage and is a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument.
Festive spotter trail: Help Santa find his reindeer!
12–23 Dec
Families can follow a spotter trail around the visitor centre and along the path to Chute Wood, finding 12 hidden reindeer and collecting words to complete a Christmas crossword. Participants can return to the Visitor Hub for a festive treat.
Crafty Christmas Weekends at Dunstable Downs
5–6 Dec, 12–13 Dec…
Families can take part in indoor craft workshops at Dunstable Downs, making Christmas decorations and gifts inspired by nature.
Garden Tour: Specialist Apple Tour
21 Oct
A guided garden tour at Shaw’s Corner explores the history of its orchard and how it is cared for today, led by Senior Gardener Matt.
Near Shaw's Corner
Shaw's Corner is the preserved home of George Bernard Shaw in Hertfordshire, showcasing his Edwardian Arts and Crafts house, original interiors, garden, and unique writing hut.
Festive Fun at Wrest Park
5–6 Dec
A festive family day out at Wrest Park, with seasonal activities to explore. Visitors can also book an additional ticket to meet Father Christmas.
Festival of Lights - Diya Making
7–13 Nov
A relaxed Diya-making workshop for Diwali, where participants can create a clay lamp to take home or contribute it to a community display. The activity is suitable for all ages and abilities and takes place outdoors in suitable weather, or indoors if the weather is poor.
Pop-up Winter Market at Wrest Park
14–15 Nov
A pop-up winter market in the State Rooms at Wrest Park, featuring more than 20 local community traders selling seasonal goods, gifts and festive treats.
Art Club: Elephants
20 Oct
An art class led by an art tutor, focusing on drawing or painting elephants. Participants can learn techniques and explore their creativity, with materials and equipment provided.
Post your letter to Santa throughout December
1–23 Dec
Visitors can write, decorate and personalise a letter to Santa using provided colouring materials, then post it in a special post box for delivery to the North Pole. Pre-written letters can also be brought along to post.
Seasonal Wreath Making Workshop
27 Nov
Participants are guided by professional florists from Maples Flowers in making a festive wreath using seasonal foliage, dried fruits, ribbons and other decorative details. Materials are provided, and attendees can personalise their wreath.
Father Christmas at Wrest Park
5–6 Dec
Children can join a group session of seasonal stories told by Father Christmas, then meet him, take photographs and receive a traditional present. One accompanying adult is permitted per child.
October Half Term: Halloween Trail
24 Oct–1 Nov
Families can follow a Halloween trail through the Downs and Chute Wood, meeting spooky characters and taking part in challenges, clue-finding and potion mixing to help break the Curse of Chute Wood.
Apple Day
18 Oct (next Sunday)
Apple Day at Shaw’s Corner celebrates the garden’s historic orchard with tastings of heritage apple varieties, a gardener’s advice stall and guided tours of the orchard and garden. Children can join in apple-themed games.
3 miles from Knebworth House, Park & Gardens
Knebworth House is a historic stately home in Hertfordshire with over 500 years of Lytton family history. Visitors can explore the house interiors, extensive gardens, parkland, a dinosaur trail, and an adventure playground. The venue offers food, accessibility, and activities for children, making it a diverse day out in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Wreath Making Workshop at Wrest Park
2–3 Dec
Participants make a Christmas wreath using seasonal foliage and natural materials, with guidance from Wrest Park’s Head Gardener. The day also includes a festive afternoon tea in the Mansion Dining Room.
Festival of Lights - Rangoli Art
7–15 Nov
Visitors can contribute to a large Rangoli artwork using colourful materials, celebrating community and Diwali. The completed piece will be displayed in the visitor centre for an evening celebration on 15 November.
Art Course: Watercolour Sunsets
5 Nov
Participants will learn watercolour techniques with an art tutor and create their own sunset painting. The workshop is suitable for beginners and those looking to develop their skills.