Now that Halloween is over, we can look forward to the next big holiday –Christmas! Here in the Sherwood Forest area there are lots of exciting events taking place to keep the family entertained.

Rufford Country Park starts its celebrations on 21st November with the opening of Santa’s Grotto and the Christmas Trail. Children can follow the self-guided trail through the park, following the clues to lead them to Santa’s Grotto. This year Santa will be in a traditional Victorian setting and children can visit him at weekends. The trail is £1 (available daily with small chocolate treat) and the grotto is £5 including gift.

Also on hand to enhance your visit to the grotto this weekend will be magician and family entertainer, Dave Charles. Popular singing group the Doncaster Wheatsheaf Singers will be providing an afternoon of seasonal music in the Coach House Courtyard. Indeed, family entertainment and music will be on offer every weekend until Christmas.  If you would like someone else to do the cooking for a change, then the Savile Restaurant has a mouth-watering Christmas menu on offer, but please book to avoid disappointment – 01623 821323.

Over in Sherwood Forest you can have a go at making Christmas Wreaths on 28 & 29 November but you need to book a place in advance by calling 01623 823202. On Sunday 6th December you can join in the Tree Dressing celebrations and the switching on of the Sherwood Christmas lights.

The big man himself, St Nicholas, will arrive at his medieval grotto in Sherwood Forest on 29th November. But watch out as the evil Sheriff of Nottingham tries to stop all the Christmas fun. Can Robin Hood save the day?

For our canine friends there will be a Dog Grotto on 29 November and 5 December. Bring your pooches to visit Santa ‘Claws’ and receive a small gift. £2 donation to Jerry Green Dog Rescue. St Nicholas will be in his grotto every weekend until 20 December, £5 including gift. There is also a Yuletide Treasure Trail taking in the midwinter magic of Sherwood with a ‘sweet’ reward upon completion – £1 per trail.

For a truly magical Christmas experience come along to the Sparkling Sherwood Evening event. Over three nights, 11 – 13 December, the ancient oak trees along the Major Oak path will be illuminated. Tickets must be booked in advance and cost £3 per person. 01623 823202.

For those who like to walk off the excesses of Christmas there is a guided walk in Sherwood Forest on Boxing Day and again on New Year’s Day. Booking is advisable on 01623 823202. And if you want to get the over excited kids outside there is a walk on Christmas Eve too! All walks are £3 for adults and £1.50 for children.

Full details of all the events at Rufford Country Park and Sherwood Forest can be found on

www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson

If you are looking for that extra special gift, you are sure to find it at the Welbeck Christmas Art & Food Market. There will be a wide range of unusual and hand-made gifts available to suit all pockets, with over 70 artists and designers and a fanciful food market. The event is on over three days from 27 November to 29 November. See www.harleygallery.co.uk for details.

For something a little different try National Trust property Clumber Park’s Garden of Fire. Experience an unforgettable night of enchantment and wonder following a trail that will lead you on a path of discovery, past dazzling fire sculptures, dancing and leaping scented flames, fire spiders, orchards of sparkling lanterns and much more. The walk will take around 45 minutes to 1 hour and there will be light refreshments available to buy at the end of the tour. Booking in advance is recommended on 01909 544917. Tickets are : Adult £10 (Standard adult ticket), Adult £7.50 (National Trust member ticket), Child £10 (Standard child ticket). Thursday to Sunday each week from 26 November to 10 December.

Father Christmas will be in his magical house in Clumber Park this festive season. You can also join Mrs Christmas for story time or have breakfast or lunch with the Elves. Please ring for full details and to book on 01909 544917. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park

With so much to look forward to Christmas can’t come soon enough!