Having fun's ski and easy

8:22am Tuesday 29th December 2009 in

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What better way to spend the festive period than experiencing the true magic of Christmas in a winter wonderland?

It was on my sister-in-law’s suggestion that we visited the Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park, Wetherby – and what a truly amazing place it is.

From the moment we pulled on winter warmers to participate in the seasonal activities within the 2,000-acre country estate, the stress associated with the preparations for Christmas and the New Year period simply melted away.

Stockeld Park estate has been in current owner Peter Grant’s family since 1875, when his great grandfather, Robert John Foster, Queensbury industrialist and owner of the famous Black Dyke Mills, bought it.

The Grade I-listed historic house at the centre of the estate remains privately-owned and is now the family home of Peter, his wife Susie and their five children. It is open for tours to historic groups and societies, by appointment.

The site comprises farming land and a large Christmas tree plantation. The Christmas Adventure developed from a successful Nordmann Fir Christmas tree business.

We sauntered around the illuminated woodland and met its many magical and mystical inhabitants, saw the sleigh-riding ice queen; listened to ‘talking trees’ and delighted in the swans and their fellow feathered friends twinkling by the colour-changing lagoon.

Visitors can navigate more than a mile of pathways in the illuminated snowflake maze, with 12 gates depicting the 12 days of Christmas, which can be opened and closed in different combinations, or glide round the eco ice rink.

Our four-year-old daughter, Katy, accompanied by her cousins Gabriella and Franchesca, took to the ice for the first time and, being a little daunted by the slippy stuff, preferred being pushed around the rink by her cousins on a special chair.

Leaving the rink, we headed out to the Enchanted Wood, a magical, mystical trail through ancient woodland and home to some captivating characters.

Walking alongside Gabriella and Franchesca who, using skis and poles, navigated their way around the 1.2m synthetic track Nordic-style, we entered the spooky gates ‘at our peril’, as the warning sign suggested!

Greeting us was a 20ft growling troll. He looked menacing enough but proved he was all bluff, allowing us on our way to meet Merlin the Magician in his magnificent illuminated cloak.

Merlin’s spell book is one of the new interactive additions to the wood. Press the magic button and you will hear a spell to help you find your way.

Sauntering further along the illuminated pathways, we arrived at the twinkling bridge where fairies danced below. Above us, owls glistened in their tree-top perches, lighting our way along this magical journey.

We climbed the stairway to hear what the talking tree had to say, and spotted the silhouette of the wicked wolf in the cottage in the woods where, in the traditional fairytale, he tried to devour Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother.

You can make your own music on the large-scale woodland instruments as you stroll along, but don’t spend too long tapping – there is too much to see.

Tucked into a tree-lined enclave sat Cinderella’s horse-drawn pumpkin coach. Across the way, magical flying unicorns were suspended above ground.

Deep into the heart of the forest lay the twinkling lagoon – a spectacular colour-changing water feature surrounded by more imaginary characters. Illuminated ethereal angels, twinkling swans, parading flamingos, grazing deer and Christmas geese have all made their home here.

Back at base, it was time for hot chocolate drinks topped with marshmallows at the cafe, then it was on to our last stop, The Christmas Shop, said to be home to the largest collection of Christmas homeware, decorations, seasonal foods and children’s gifts in the North of England.

You can meet Santa in his grotto and even take home your own Christmas tree – worth bearing in mind for next year!

Factfile

* The Christmas Adventure is at Stockeld Park, Wetherby.

* The Christmas Adventure runs until January 3. Entry is free and visitors pay per activity.

* For more information, call (01937) 586333 or visit thechristmasadventure.com