anglesey abbey house – credit: wiki cc stephen turner
As the nights begin to draw in and Christmas music begins to ring out around the country, you may be planning Christmas activites with the family. Here are 3 family-friendly Christmas attractions close to our waterways and activities you can visit during the 2022 / 2023 festive season.
Meet Father Christmas at Wicken Fen Nature Reserve
The National Trust-run Wicken Fen Nature Reserve sits alongside Burwell Lode, and they have a few Christmas activities planned over the festive period. The reserve is the National Trust’s oldest nature reserve and is situated in England’s most famous fen.
Father and Mother Christmas will be visiting the reserve in the lead-up to Christmas, and you can bring the kids to meet them in the Fen Cottage. While waiting to meet Father and Mother Christmas, the kids can then join the elves for a Christmas decoration workshop.
The Wicken Fen Festive Woodland Trail is also open from the 26th of November, and you can enjoy a wander through the fen on a raised boardwalk. It’s the perfect way to get some family exercise in the great outdoors if you have already started tucking into the mince pies…
Visit National Trust website for more info
Winter Lights at Anglesey Abbey
Anglesey Abbey is thought to have been founded by Henry I in 1135, and it then served as a priory from the early 13th century until Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries. In 1596, Anglesey Abbey was bought by the Fowkes family, who converted the remains of the priory into a house in 1609.
During December, the ground floor of the house will be fully dressed for Christmas and open for the public to enjoy, with the highlight being the tree in the Tapestry Hall.
anglesey abbey gardens – credit: wiki cc the wub
The Abbey will run its Winter Lights show from the 9th of December through the 23rd of December. Entitled “Nature by Night, Nature by Light,” the light show aims to be an after-dark journey that brings the beautiful gardens of Anglesey Abbey to life.
In addition to the light show, stalls will sell an array of delectable festive treats.
Wisbech Christmas Fayre
The market town of Wisbech lies just north of March and will be hosting a Christmas Fayre on the 11th of December.
The fayre will feature a wide range of stalls offering festive gifts and delicious seasonal food. The event will kick off at 10 a.m., and there will be plenty of live music and dancing, as well as free children’s attractions and interactive family activities to keep everyone entertained until around 3 p.m.
There will be plenty of Christmas treats, such as mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and hot chocolate, available at the food stalls. While at the handicraft stalls, you can find decorations for your Christmas tree, artisanal wrapping paper, and hand-made cards. Christmas trees and hampers will also be available alongside handcrafted toys and games, and you can even purchase this year’s Christmas jumper!
www.fenland.gov.uk/wisbechchristmasfayre
If you like the idea of exploring the Fenland waterways by boat check out our narrowboat holiday availability for the 2023 season.
