Stockeld Park’s Christmas Adventure opens 14 November – 6 January
Light sculptures of unicorns, reindeer and flamingos and a mesmerising display of illuminated fountains dancing across a lake are among the features that families can discover this Christmas as they weave their way through a winter wonderland at Stockeld Park near Harrogate.
With 100,000 lights festooning a trail almost a mile long, Stockeld’s winter illuminations are among the biggest in the country. Together with a captivating soundscape, the park’s award-winning Enchanted Forest transforms into a magical spectacle with tree canopies lit up in rainbow colours at twilight that visitors can either enjoy by walking or by trying their hand along Europe’s longest synthetic Nordic ski trail, which runs adjacent to the walking path.
As well as the after-dark display, there’s plenty of daytime festive fun including the opportunity to lose yourself in a vast, snowflake-shaped yew-tree maze; donning skates and taking to the ice rink or visiting Santa in his log cabin grotto. Plus on a number of weekends there’s an opportunity to have breakfast with Santa while watching a pantomime.
To complete the festive experience visitors can also choose their own Christmas tree from the estate’s massive home grown selection before popping into the shop to buy decorations. With more than half-a-million Christmas trees in the ground, the Stockeld Park Estate is Yorkshire’s biggest and perhaps most renowned Christmas tree grower, so visitors are sure to find the perfect tree for them. For those with no space in the car, Stockeld is also launching a home-delivery service for Christmas trees this season, focusing around the Harrogate-York-Leeds triangle.
The winter illuminations are switched on just days before Santa’s arrival with his reindeer and army of elves for a parade through the Enchanted Forest to officially kick off the Christmas Adventure (16-17 November).
Stockeld’s Christmas Adventure is open from 10.30am-8.30pm everyday between 14 November and 6 January. Prices from £8.50 per person. https://stockeldpark.co.uk/events/season/christmas/