Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rhs-glow-rosemoor-great-torrington-15-nov-28-dec"><a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor/whats-on/rosemoor-glow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Glow</a>, Rosemoor, Great Torrington, 15 Nov &#8211; 28 Dec</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="940" height="627" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/11/Glow-2023.jpeg" alt="RHS Glow at RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington" class="wp-image-70361" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/11/Glow-2023.jpeg 940w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/11/Glow-2023-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/11/Glow-2023-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></figure>



<p>Back for its sixth year, RHS Garden Rosemoor’s gorgeous glow-up is its longest ever, extending into their majestic arboretum where you can admire a carpet of colour and harlequin trees.&nbsp;It’s worth going just for the takeaway treats and mulled wine alone, and time your visit right and you can tick some Christmas gifts off the list too, at their Magic of Christmas Craft and Food Fairs. <em>Non-members from £12.95pp/kids £6.95/members £7.95/kids £4.95/unders 5s free, including garden entry.&nbsp;</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-icescape-westpoint-exeter-thurs-12-dec-5-jan"><a href="https://icescapewestpoint.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Icescape Westpoint,</a> Exeter, Thurs 12 Dec &#8211; 5 Jan</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/icescape.jpeg" alt="Icescape Westpoint Exeter " class="wp-image-70461" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/icescape.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/icescape-800x450.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/icescape-1000x563.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/icescape-768x432.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A huge new, covered ice rink, with real ice and holding up to 400 skaters, is coming to Exeter&#8217;s Westpoint Arena this December. Open for 45-minute sessions, with various themed events including Parent Toddler sessions, Quiet Sessions, and Friday Disco nights, plus there&#8217;s 20% off tickets if you book before 8 November. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beauty-and-the-beast-queen-s-theatre-barnstaple-thurs-12-tues-31-dec"><a href="https://www.queenstheatre-barnstaple.com/event/beauty-and-the-beast-2024-pantomime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beauty and the Beast</a>, Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple, Thurs 12 – Tues 31 Dec</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/beauty-queenss-1000x563.jpg" alt="Beauty and the Beast Queen's Theatre Barnstaple " class="wp-image-69996" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/beauty-queenss-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/beauty-queenss-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/beauty-queenss-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/beauty-queenss.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The annual panto at Queen’s Theatre is one of the biggies, and this year they’re staging the classic <em>Beauty and the Beast</em>. We can expect the bookish beauty, Belle, the village heartthrob, Gaston, an enchanting Fairy sprinkling magic dust in her wake, and of course, the Beast, reminding us that true beauty lies within and ergo life’s too short to forgo the interval ice cream.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-humbug-st-nicholas-priory-thurs-12-tues-24-dec"><em><a href="https://wanderingtiger.com/humbug/">Humbug!</a></em>, St Nicholas Priory, Thurs 12 &#8211; Tues 24 Dec</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/humbug-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="Humbug by Wandering Tiger" class="wp-image-70711" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/humbug-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/humbug-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/humbug-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/humbug-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Guaranteed to lay any latent Scrooge-iness to rest, this reimagining of Dickens&#8217; <em>Christmas Carol</em> by local theatre company Wandering Tiger is now a must-do Muddy tradition. It&#8217;s set in Exeter&#8217;s oldest building, St Nicholas Priory, and rather than watching the actors on a stage, the audience follows the actors from room to room, which dials up the historic atmosphere. With all the spooky scares, poignancy, laughter and festive joy of the original, it starts with a mulled wine which you can take in with you, and ends with a rousing Old England singalong filling you with a warm fuzzy festive feeling which even the scattering of (fake) snow as your exit can&#8217;t chill. The tickets closest to Christmas always go fastest, so do like we do and make it an early gift to self. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-train-of-lights-queen-s-park-station-paignton-fri-29-nov-mon-30-dec"><a href="https://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/tickets/christmas-train-of-lights">Christmas Train of Lights</a>, Queen’s Park Station, Paignton, Fri 29 Nov – Mon 30 Dec</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/12/christmas-train-lights.jpg" alt="Christmas Train of Lights" class="wp-image-50970" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/12/christmas-train-lights.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/12/christmas-train-lights-800x400.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/12/christmas-train-lights-768x384.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/12/christmas-train-lights-900x450.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>All aboard! If walking through the lights isn’t adrenaline-fuelled enough for you, add a pinch of steam (quite a lot actually), Christmas tunes piped through the speakers, vintage carriages decorated with thousands of lights full of over-excited kids and you have a a fabulous illuminated train journey from Paignton to Kingswear. You can also book a Christmas train when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/tickets/train-of-lights-santa">Santa is on board</a>&nbsp;and buy Train of Lights decs as a memento to pop on your own tree at home. My kids loved it and so do I. <em>Adult £29.95/kids £21.95. </em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wreath-making-at-hotel-endsleigh-milton-abbot-nr-tavistock"><a href="https://thepolizzicollection.com/content/hotel-endsleigh-christmas-wreath-making-workshops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wreath Making at Hotel Endsleigh</a>, Milton Abbot, nr Tavistock</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/hotel-endsleigh-wreath.jpg" alt="wreath making at Hotel Endsleigh " class="wp-image-36208" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/hotel-endsleigh-wreath.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/hotel-endsleigh-wreath-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/hotel-endsleigh-wreath-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/hotel-endsleigh-wreath-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/hotel-endsleigh-wreath-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/hotel-endsleigh-wreath-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/10/hotel-endsleigh-wreath-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re going to go to the trouble of making your own wreath, it may as well be swanky and made at Olga Polizzi’s Dartmoor hotel. You’ll be working the snips in the stables with either Herts wedding florist Nadine Gibbon (Nov and 1 Dec) or resident florist Simon Nickell (Dec). Then, having created your masterpiece, you&#8217;ll celebrate at 2pm with a two-course lunch, tea, coffee and a glass of wine, surrounded by verdant Humphry Repton landscape. Sure to put you in festive mood. <em>£90pp</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plymouth-winter-wonderland-central-park-plymouth-15-nov-1-jan-2025"><a href="https://plymouthwinterwonderland.co.uk/ice-rink/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plymouth Winter Wonderland</a>, Central Park, Plymouth, 15 Nov – 1 Jan 2025</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="960" height="664" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/plymouthwonder-ice.jpeg" alt="Plymouth Winter Wonderland Ice Rink " class="wp-image-70409" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/plymouthwonder-ice.jpeg 960w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/plymouthwonder-ice-800x553.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/plymouthwonder-ice-768x531.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>



<p>Did someone say skating on a <em>real</em> rink? Yep, Plymouth’s Winter Wonderland returns with a German Style Big Top and live music, a huge ice rink, Penguin Dodgem rides, a bar and festive food stalls, and a Santa Grotto. Tickets on sale mid-October, <a href="https://plymouthwinterwonderland.co.uk/book-now/">watch this space</a> to book. <em>£10.50 kids, £1 adult.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carols-at-exeter-cathedral-sat-7-tues-10-amp-thurs-12-december-at-7pm"><a href="https://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/whats-on/events/christmas-with-the-cathedral-choir/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carols at Exeter Cathedral</a>, Sat 7, Tues 10 &amp; Thurs 12 December at 7pm</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/cathedral-2.jpg" alt="Exeter Cathedral choristers " class="wp-image-62103" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/cathedral-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/cathedral-2-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/cathedral-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/cathedral-2-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Calm your frazzled Yuletide spirits with a spot of carolling with the Cathedral choir looking festive in their holly-red cassocks accompanied by the organ music from Michael Stephens-Jones, Assistant Director of Music.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-polar-express-train-ride-buckfastleigh"><a href="https://southdevonrailwaythepolarexpressride.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride</a>, Buckfastleigh</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/polar-express.jpg" alt="The Polar Express South Devon Railway" class="wp-image-60502" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/polar-express.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/polar-express-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/polar-express-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/polar-express-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/polar-express-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/polar-express-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>What is it about Devon and Santa steam specials? Here&#8217;s another zinger which sells out fast. Taking its cue from the hit movie, South Devon Railway treats the PJ-clad passengers to a magical one-hour journey filled with actors playing characters from the film, including the conductor, the dancing chefs, the hobo and of course, the big red fella. It&#8217;s a must-do at least once, and one of the reasons tickets fly out is that so many families make it a Christmas tradition.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pennywell-farm-buckfastleigh-22-nov-24-dec"><a href="https://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/news/christmas-2022-experience-the-magic-at-pennywell-farm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pennywell Farm</a>, Buckfastleigh, 22 Nov – 24 Dec</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Unforgettable Christmas Experience At Pennywell Farm 2024: A Magical Journey Through Time" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2OpDZCaEhWw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>Pennywell brilliantly evoke the magic of the nativity story with their barn-based Christmas Experience, with Pennywell’s donkeys and farm animals helping out with the nativity scene nicely. You’re taken on a two-hour wander through the North Pole, to the Elves’ Sweet Shop for free sweets, a tractor-trailer ride to spot the gingerbread men, with a chance to pat their cute piglets and furry friends, finally culminating in a meet, greet and gift from You-Know-Who in his sparkly forest grotto. Tickets already sold out for 21 and 22 Dec so don’t dilly-dally. £27.95pp/under 2s £16.95</p>



<p><strong><em>Check out more Muddy-approved festive forays in 2024 here</em></strong>:</p>



<p><a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/best-santa-father-christmas-grottos-devon/">Muddy Grotto Guide</a>;&nbsp;<a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/16-local-wreath-making-workshops/">Local Wreath Making Workshops</a>;&nbsp;<a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/devon-panto-guide/">A-Z Panto in Devon</a></p>


Skates on! 10 festive events that sell out fast

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