Ice Rink & Woodland Ice Cave
Wrap up, lace up and step onto our family fun sized ice rink. This synthetic Winter Wonderland Ice Rink brings all the joy of skating without the chill of real ice. Smooth panels, safety barriers, and skates in a range of sizes ready to go. Sessions are planned in 40 minutes timed slots so everyone gets a fair turn with helpful attendants on hand. This is a chilled, family experience so please don’t expect to be whizzing around like dancing on ice (behaviour policy applies) or be on a large, real ice rink. Expect subtle festive music, twinkling lights and seasonal winter décor, at an affordable price. Bookable sessions help us manage numbers comfortably and keep queues moving. Sessions are 40 minutes long with 10 minutes either side to get your skates on (literally). BOOK HERE. At £5 per person including skate hire, we hope to provide an affordable introduction to skating for the local community, so please take the opportunity but enjoy it sensibly.
After your glide around the rink, wander into our woodland ice cave; a gentle, family-friendly walkthrough inspired by an enchanted ice cave. Enter through a softly lit tunnel into a sparkling “cavern” of trees, snowflakes and frosty textures. Little explorers can pause for photos on the “ice bench,” while ambient sounds and subtle projections help the set the scene. We’ve designed the route to be clear and accessible, with low-heat LEDs, tidy cabling and a chilly twilight feel all day long. The ice cave is open to all for free throughout the event period.
Round off your visit with a warm drink, light snack or tasty meal, then browse through our festive displays, which are ideal for finding a decoration or gift.
Book Ice SkatingVictorian Christmas Market
Step back in time at our Victorian Christmas Market – a Dickens-inspired street scene with twinkling lights, evergreen garlands and cosy “shopfronts” dressed for the season. Wander past vintage-style props while the sound of traditional carols or modern Christmas favourites fills the air.
On Friday 5th December (10am–7pm) and Saturday 6th December (9am–6pm) you’ll find a Craft Fayre with a lovely selection of local craft stalls, seasonal treats and gifts. On Friday, enjoy live carols from Milford Quire, 2pm–3pm, bringing authentic Victorian harmonies to the street. Vendors are invited from the local community, adding authenticity and variety while giving small businesses a seasonal platform.
By Contrast, for families, there’s a Family Disco at 5pm on Friday and 3.30pm on Saturday – a chance for little ones (and not-so-little ones) to burn off some festive energy after browsing the stalls. DJ Joe Muggs will be playing a selection of festive mixes and ramping up the beats with his retro family-friendly dance music. DJ Joe Muggs lives locally and is a respected UK DJ and music writer, known for his warm, eclectic sets that blend classic party tunes, feel-good disco and festive favourites for all ages. Joe has been deeply involved in dance and electronic music culture since the early 2000s and is best known as a music journalist writing about everything from mainstream pop to underground club music.
Join us for a warm, nostalgic start to Christmas – perfect for picking up handmade gifts, hearing real carols and soaking up the Victorian street-scene atmosphere, with with some family fun thrown in too.
Robin Hunt and Large Tree Lights Turn On
On Monday 1st December at 4pm, join us for our Big Christmas Tree Lights Switch-On – a cosy, feel-good afternoon for the whole family. As the countdown begins, warm up with free mince pies and coffee or a cup of mulled wine, then gather round as we light up our big Christmas tree for the very first time this year.
Children can enjoy our free Robin Hunt:
🕊️ Find 10 little robins hidden around the garden centre
📝 Write down where you spotted each one
🎁 Hand in your sheet and win a small prize
It’s also the perfect time to choose your tree:
🎄 Special offer on decorations when you buy a real cut Christmas tree.
It’s free to come along, so wrap up warm, bring the family and help us switch on the season.