What's on at Christmas: Five festive events in Hampshire this weekend

Here's our pick of five of the best events for some festive family fun this weekend.

Beaulieu River 

Join New Forest Activities for a festive paddle on the Beaulieu River to find Santa!

Enjoy exploring the stunning river on a 90-minute guided tour with the added excitement of knowing you’ll soon be meeting jolly old Saint Nick.

All children will receive a gift from Father Christmas and there’ll be hot chocolate on hand to keep everyone toasty.

Various slots are available on Saturday and Sunday and next week. 

Visit newforestactivities.co.uk

Tudor House & Garden

There's festive fun for all the family at one of Southampton's most fascinating historic attractions this weekend.

Christmas Crafts include making some beautiful bunting and traditional decorations in the workshop room.

The whole family can enjoy a range of tasty seasonal sweet and savoury treats while overlooking the beautiful garden with the festive afternoon tea.

Add a little magic to the festive season with a visit to see Father Christmas in his grotto at Tudor House.

Enjoy the Christmas Lantern festive walking tour with your guide Andy Skinner on Saturday, unlocking the secrets of Southampton’s festive past while also enjoying a lantern-lit tour of the Old Town, including visits to the hidden vaults in the town.

The Christmas Tudor House Mouse trail also continues. 

Book at wegottickets.com/SouthamptonCulture

Royal Victoria Country Park

There's a whole host of Chrsitmassy treats on offer at Royal Victoria Country Park.

Tomorrow, Santa will make a pit stop for breakfast at The Cedar Rooms before a very special concert takes place in the evening.

Christmas music, songs and carol singing can be enjoyed in the beautiful surroundings of Netley Chapel.  All profits will be going towards the plastic boardwalk project for Horse Pond Wood.

On Sunday morning, take your pooch and burn off some of those party calories on our festive 5km run/walk around the park.  Get into the Christmas spirit by coming in fancy dress.  There will be a prize for the best dressed dog!

Details at hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/rvcp/things-to-do

Furzey Gardens

Find the winter fairies at Furzey Gardens this weekend.

Titania the fairy queen is looking to deliver a Christmas message.

Can you locate her in the gardens and help her find the other fairies? Crispin, Flo, Holly, Misty the Mistletoe Fairy, Tinsel Fairy and Jack Frost are all hiding in the gardens just waiting to be discovered.

Pick up a trail sheet on entry to the gardens, or at the tea rooms. Trail costs £2 and includes a cup of squash and a biscuit on completion of the trail. 

See minsteadtrust.org.uk/charity/events/kids-trail-find-the-winter-fairies/

Whiteley Shopping Centre

The Grinch’s heart may be two sizes too small, but he made every shopper's heart twice as big last Christmas as everyone loved his crazy and sometimes naughty antics.

He'll be back with Cindy Lou at Whiteley on Sunday at 11am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm for a thirty minute roam!

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