Accept an invitation to a festive afternoon tea
There’s something quite fabulous about afternoon tea served next to a log fire, and Sussex is full of fabulous country house hotels with inglenooks in abundance.
In the heart of East Sussex’s Ashdown Forest, Ashdown Park (ashdownpark.com), serves traditional tea with a festive twist from December 4 to 23 (prices from £34.50), while at Amberley Castle, in West Sussex, you can enjoy afternoon tea from December 2 to 22 in the surroundings of this 14th century fortress alongside a flight of Sussex sparkling wine from Nyetimber. amberleycastle.co.uk
B
Browse a Christmas market
From Eastbourne to East Grinstead, Wadhurst to Worthing, the streets of Sussex become filled with market stalls in the lead up to December 25, ready for shoppers to feast their eyes on locally-made produce and gifts. East Grinstead’s Christmas market is on December 8, Wadhurst Christmas and Craft Fair on December 21, and Horsham will hold its Christmas market every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in December in the Carfax. Brighton’s Winter Fayre is due to take place in St Peter’s Square over three four-day weekends from December 5 until December 22.
C
Cut down a Christmas tree
Recreate the scene from Home Alone, when Kevin McAlistair drags home a Christmas tree, by heading to Sussex Christmas Trees farms at Goddenwick Farm, in Lindfield, and Five Ashes, in Heathfield. Pick your favourite from over 100,000 trees spread across the two locations – and don’t worry, there are experts on hand should you need to brush up on your saw skills. At both locations, there’s a Christmas shop, where you can pick up everything you might need to decorate your new tree and at Goddenwick you’ll also find reindeer and donkeys, festive food trucks and if you’re lucky, Father Christmas. Both farms are open from Saturday, November 23. sussextrees.co.uk. The popular Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm offers the same experience.
D
Decorate a gingerbread house
As the owner of Brighton Cakes, Fay Millar has created everything from the Brighton i360 to Paddington Bear from sponge, but she also makes hundreds of gingerbread houses and, each year at Christmas, teaches others how to decorate them.
Her classes, in Ovingdean, invite friends, family or colleagues to come together for a fun evening of drinks, nibbles and gingerbread creativity. She also hosts decorating and wine tasting classes with Brighton wine expert Karl Elwood, of Elwood Wines
Per person prices are £60 for decorating classes and £99 for decorating and wine tasting. gingerbreadworld.co.uk
E
Embrace the Winter Solstice
Celebrate the lead up to Winter Solstice (the shortest day of the year) by joining a Winter Community Celebration with Children’s Forest – a movement in Forest Row, East Sussex, to support children and their communities to plant and tend forests for the future generations. The seasonal celebration will feature foraging and plant lore tree-based festive crafts and singing and storytelling around a hearty fire. Tickets to the event, which takes place from 11am to 3pm on December 15 cost £5 for children and between £20 and £45 (depending on affordability) for adults. To book email:
courses@childrensforest.earth. childrensforest.earth
Glow Wild Wakehurst (Image: Wakehurst)
F
Follow a light trail
Illuminations and light trails have become an increasingly popular yuletide activity in recent years, and certainly add sparkle to the dark winter months. Perhaps the county’s most famous is Glow Wild, held at Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Ardingly (kew.org/Wakehurst). This year marks the 11th anniversary of the immersive experience, which sees visitors follow a trail lit by over 1,000 hand-made lanterns, light animations, soundscapes and bespoke art installations. The trail runs from November 28 to January 1 and for the first time will be open on Christmas eve. Tickets cost from £13 for children aged four to 16 (under fours go free) and from £19.50 for adults (£16 for Wakehurst members). In Lower Beeding, Leonardslee Garden’s light trail is also back with a bang this year and a fresh new look and route through the 240-acre gardens, as well as funfair rides and Christmas market. Tickets from £19.50, open from November 22 to December 30. leonardsleegardens.co.uk/lights
G
Go back in time at Bodiam Castle
Experience how Christmas might have been celebrated back in Medieval times at Bodiam Castle from November 30 to January 5. See the castle decorated with natural foliage and greenery and find out about the lavish feasts and celebrations that were a hallmark of an ancient festive season on the Merry Medieval Christmas trail (£3 per trail with prize), before wrapping up for a crisp winter walk around the grounds while sipping on a warming hot chocolate. On select weekends in December there will also be enchanting candlelit tales of dragons, knights and castles in the grotto-style tower room. Entry free for members, from £11 for adults, £5.50 for children. nationaltrust.org.uk/sussex
H
Heckle the baddies in a panto
A trip to the theatre for panto is such a British festive tradition and almost every Sussex town hosts one over the festive season including Beauty and the Beast at Chequer Mead in East Grinstead (chequermead.co.uk), and Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne (eastbournetheatres.co.uk), Cinderella at Chichester Festival Theatre (cft.org.uk) and Jack and the Beanstalk at Crawley, which will feature Eastender’s hard man Phil Mitchell aka Steve McFadden as baddie Fleshcreep. Bring on the boos! The Brighton Family Panto is Sleeping Beauty at the Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole. For dates and ticket prices, see individual theatre websites.
I
Ice skate at The Royal Pavilion
From October 26 to January 5, Brighton’s Royal Pavilion – the seaside pleasure palace of King George IV ¬– will once again form the stunning backdrop for the city’s famous ice rink. Often voted the UK’s most beautiful ice rink and the only one powered entirely by renewable energy, the North Laine district rink it has been welcoming visitors for 14 years. As well as the large, main rink for confident skaters, there’s also a smaller beginners’ rink with penguin skate aids and a rink-side bar and kitchen, for fuelling up pre- or post-skate. Tickets cost £11 for 12 and overs and £9 for under 12s.
royalpavilionicerink.co.uk
J
Jump aboard a locomotive
Father Christmas will be swapping his sleigh for a steam train on the Lavender Line (lavender-line.co.uk) on weekends throughout December. Families can jump aboard the train at Isfield for an extended journey through the Wealden countryside. Whilst on the train, children will get a personalised visit and present from Father Christmas while accompanying adults can enjoy a mince pie and mug of coffee at the Lavenders Tea Rooms once they have disembarked. Miniature Railway rides are also included in the price which is £18 for children and £15 for adults. On the Bluebell Railway line (bluebell-railway.com), which departs from Sheffield Park, Santa Specials will be running from November 30 and throughout December when families can enjoy their own private compartment. Prices from £180 per compartment.
K
Knead some festive bread
There’s nothing better than the smell of fresh bread in the morning so wow family and Christmas guests this year by learning how to bake festive breads with renowned baker Emmanuel Hadjiandreou. Originally from South Africa but now living in Hastings, Emmanuel has worked for Gordon Ramsey, the Savoy and Daylesford Organics and has written four bakery books. During a full day course at Artisan Bakehouse in Ashurst, on November 22 and 23, he will teach participants how to make a range of Christmas bakes including his award-winning stollen, cinnamon rolls and pain d’epices. Refreshments and a two-course lunch with drinks are included in the £185 price.
theartisanbakehouse.com
L
Listen to songs from Christmas movies
One of the best things about Christmas films is the soundtrack so what better way to get in the festive mood than listening to a smorgasbord of family favourites played by London Concertante at Chichester Cathedral? Take a jolly journey through the heart-warming and hilarious worlds of beloved Christmas movies such as White Christmas, Home Alone, Elf, The Polar Express and It’s a Wonderful Life, among others.
London Concertante Christmas at the Movies concert takes place on Saturday, December 7 from 6:45pm. Tickets cost from £30.83.
chichestercathedral.org.uk
M
Make a wreath
There’s something quite therapeutic about making your own Christmas wreath and when you have an expert like Brighton florist Kate Langdale on hand to help, it’s even more enjoyable. During a 2.5-hour luxury wreathmaking workshop, held at Kate’s Prestonville studio, participants learn about colour palettes, composition and how to use moss as a strong base for a wreath, before choosing from a range of high quality, seasonal flowers and foliage to get creative with. Tickets, available through We Can Doo which supports artisans in organising hands-on workshops, cost £125 and include refreshments.
wecandoo.uk/atelier/brighton-kate-floristry-luxury-seasonal-wreath
N
Nymans
As mentioned again under U, below, The National Trust’s Nymans, the garden lovers’ home for all seasons, has The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe From November 23 to Sunday, January 5.
O
Organise your oranges for Christingle
Spend some time with the little ones decorating oranges with red ribbon, sweets and candles for Christingle. Services take place in churches across the county throughout December.
P
Pick up a new festive novel
Book lovers can find a new favourite at Much Ado Books Christmas Book Swap evening at The Star Inn, Alfriston. Nominated by The Times as one of Britain’s Best Browsable Book Shops, Much Ado Books has as a collection of classic, contemporary and antiquarian books including rare editions. They also work with The Star, hosting talks with authors including Jacqueline Wilson, Caroline Lucas and Clive Aslet. On Friday, 6 December, go along for a festive evening filled with literary conversation and cocktails. Bring a book you’ve cherished, or couldn’t finish, and leave with a new discovery. For those who enjoy a surprise, bag a ‘Blind Date’ books – gift-wrapped volumes with a hint suggesting what’s inside, offering a chance to choose something a bit different to enjoy over the Christmas season. 6.30pm- 8.pm at The Star, High Street, Alfriston, Tickets, £5. muchadobooks.com
Q
Quills at the ready
Some people take a family photo to put on the front of their Christmas cards but if you prefer a more traditional approach, why not learn the art of calligraphy and create beautiful, personalised cards to send to family and friends. During a 90-minute workshop at The Crown and Anchor in Chichester’s Dell Quay, calligrapher, Lauren McIntyre will talk through and demonstrate the basics of the artform before giving patrons the opportunity to design their own cards. Tickets to the event at 6:30pm on December 1 cost £10.
crownandanchorchichester.com
R
Race the Denmans Lane Dash
Put your fanciest festive fancy dress on, get down to The Stand Up Inn, in Lindfield, and purchase a pint to take part in the Boxing Day Denmans Lane Dash. The idea for the race, which sees hordes of revellers race along a usually quiet lane off Lindfield High Street, clutching a pint of beer, came after village resident Ray Gower sent a ‘Bored on Boxing Day?’ call out to his friends and family. En route to his local pub with loved ones, he remembered his uncle, the landlord of the Laughing Fish pub in Isfield, used to run a ‘Beer Trot’ at Easter and so put the idea to The Stand Up’s landlord. The first race was held in 2015 and, almost a decade later, has raised thousands of pounds for local and national charities.
facebook.com/denmanslanedash
S
Sunday walks
Sussex has the best walks in the country, including at Cuckmere and at Camber Sands as The Argus reported.
They have been included in the top ten list compiled by outdoor retailer Go Outdoors.
Cuckmere, with its choice of routes each side of the river, through Friston Forest and up and across the Seven Sisters Cliffs, ranked fourth. Camber, with its picturesque sand dunes and stunning views along the coast, came ninth.
T
Take the kids to a Christmas wonderland
Tulleys Farm (tulleyschristmas.co.uk) at Turners Hill attracts families from far and ride for its Santa Experience, which on weekends in the lead up to Christmas transforms the farm into a winter wonderland with sleigh rides, toy workshops, gingerbread decorating, an elf hunt, ice rink and chance to meet Father Christmas. Tickets cost from £29.95 for adults, £46.95 for children aged one to 13 and £15.95 for under ones. From November 23 to December 24, Santa will also be waiting for families to visit him in his cosy cottage at Drusillas Park (drusillas.co.uk) Winter Wonderland, near Alfriston. Kids can also get nose-to-nose with huskies in the ice cave, cuddle up to singing reindeer and marvel at the 24ft Christmas tree. Entry costs £27.95, under twos go free.
Traditional Christmas decorations at Bateman’s. (Image: National Trust)
U
Unearth literary classics at Batemans, Nymans and Sheffield Park
A snowy Narnia is the inspiration for Christmas at Nymans at Handcross this year as visitors are invited through the wardrobe into the world of C.S. Lewis’ classic tale, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Follow in the footsteps of wartime evacuees, Edmund, Lucy, Susan and Peter in the kingdom of the White Witch, sit on the throne at Cair Paravel and feel the warmth and sparkle of a 1940s Christmas in the house. Snowy scenes from Raymond Briggs’ heart-warming book, The Snowman, provide further inspiration for Sheffield Park’s Christmas activities with a snowman trail and appearances from The Snowman himself on December 7, 14 and 21. Things get a bit warmer at Bateman’s in Burwash, where the house and grounds will be decorated to celebrate Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book. Little ones can spot the tree monkeys jumping on the bed and Baloo the bear, as well as a special Christmas cake inspired by the story, and Christmas trees celebrating Kipling’s love of India will be hung with hand-crafted jewels, birds, fruits and flowers.
nationaltrust.org.uk/sussex
V
Visit a vineyard
Visiting a vineyard might not seem like the most obvious thing to do in the depths of winter but dormant vines covered in frost – or snow on the odd occasion we get it – make for a pretty festive backdrop. Many of the county’s 140-odd vineyards continue tours and tastings throughout the year including Bolney Wine Estate near Haywards Heath, Rathfinny (rathfinnyestate.com) in Alfriston, Ridgeview (ridgeview.co.uk) in Ditchling Common and Wiston (wistonestate.com) near Steyning.
W
Wild swim off the Sussex coast
A Boxing Day swim in the sea has become a tradition for many Sussex residents living on the coast, so much so that there are plenty of organised cold water dips to choose from. If you take the plunge in Littlehampton, you’ll be treated to pre-swim mince pies provided by The Beach Café (thebeachlittlehampton.co.uk) and they’ll even fire up the barbecue for a post swim hot-dog. In Brighton, the Boxing Day swim usually takes place at 11am and is quite the spectacle with many swimmers donning Christmas hats and popping Champagne on the beach after.
X
Xmas spectacular at Petworth House
From November 30 to January 5, historic state rooms at Petworth House will be filled with showstopping trees and twinkling lights, beautiful garlands, and atmospheric lanterns. Spot the mischievous mice who have taken over the Marble Hall and find a paper-crafted nativity scene among the trees. On select dates late openings will enable visitors to see the house sparkle after dark and listen to a choir singing in the courtyard. Choral performances also take place every weekend.
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/petworth
Y
Yoga your way through twixmas
After all that over-indulgence and socialising, a bit of restorative me time could be exactly what you need to round off the year. So why not fill that odd void between Christmas and New Year on a yoga retreat? Joanne Summer is running a New Year Nurturing retreat between December 29 and January 1 at Florence House in Seaford, with a programme of yoga, meditation, sound baths and walks on the beach and through Seven Sisters Country Park. From £665 per person
joannesumner.com/wellbeing-services/uk-yoga-retreats/
Z
ZigZag through a New Year’s Day parkrun
There’s no better day to start the New Year fitness regime than January 1 but if you need a bit of camaraderie to help you get motivated for that run then head down to Seaford Beach for the parkrun at 9am. While it might seem like an early start for New Year’s Eve revellers, once you’ve hit the finish line after running (or walking) the 5k, you’ll feel better than ever.
facebook.com/seafordbeachparkrun
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