Start the Christmas countdown in the most festive of ways – with a trip to Milton Keynes Museum to visit the man in the red suit!
Santa is working overtime at the North Pole just now so that he can spend some time meeting and greeting the girls and boys of Milton Keynes before December 25.
The museum's seasonal spectacular will turn the clock back by a century to present A Victorian Christmas, which will be bursting with sparkle, fun and wonder.
The event starts on December 1 and will run for three weekends in the lead up to the big day.
It might be cold outside, but the museum will be toasty, with a roaring fire keeping out the chills and, for the adults, a complimentary glass of mulled wine will be served upon arrival.
Then, enjoy carols by gaslight in the parlour, and Christmas crafts for children in the old schoolroom.
Stop off in the farmhouse kitchen and make hot buttered toast the old-fashioned way, and nibble on freshly roasted chestnuts prepared in the working blacksmith's forge, and keep an eye out for Queen Victoria – we have it on good authority that she will be attending too.
It's a marvellously magical affair – and the museum is saying there will be an occasional snowfall in the street of shops, no matter what the weather is doing outside!
The museum will also host a Christmas Market with great gifts that you won't find on the High Street.
Looking for something a little more unusual, or unique?
This is the perfect place to pick up quirky gifts and clever stocking fillers during your visit – and it's a whole lot easier than doing battle in the shopping centres at this time of year.
The Granary cafe will be serving its delicious cakes and adding to the festive feel with mince pies and hot chocolate, and then, when you've followed the twinkling lights through the museum grounds and enjoyed all of that cosy cheer in the farmhouse, you'll be ready for the most magical part of all – a meeting with Santa and his elves in the grotto.
Children will also get a special gift to take home from their visit.
Santa has many presents to sort and reindeer to prepare for his Christmas travels, and so A Victorian Christmas will only be open on the following weekends:
Week One: Friday 1st , Saturday, 2nd and Sunday 3rd December
Week Two: Friday 8th, Saturday 9th and Sunday, 10th December
Week Three: Friday 15th, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th December
Opening times: 4.30pm-7pm (Friday) and 1.30pm-6pm (Saturday/Sunday)
Santa visits cost £7 per child. Book now and avoid the queues. Call 01908 316222 (9.30am-4pm, Mon-Fri)
For more information visit www.mkmuseum.org.uk
