Esher's Getting Festive

As November comes to an end it's officially time to indulge in all that is Christmas.

Pull on your Christmas jumper, light the fire, eat a mince pie, pour your favourite winter tipple & tear up at the fantastic Christmas adverts.

My four children are nearly all teenagers now so visits to Father Christmas sadly stopped a few years back. Instead we go out for wintry walks with the dog or ice skate at Hampton Court Palace which looks stunning lit up at night.

See below for a few of my favourite festive treats the whole family can enjoy....

Esher Christmas Lights Switch On - Friday 28th November. There is an Italian Market from 11am and the lights will be switched on at 6pm from outside The Bear Pub.

The Magical Molesey Lights - Wednesday 3rd Decemeber. The lights will be swtiched on in Waton Road at 5pm and shops will stay open late. There will be two performance stages with carol singers, Santa & story telling.

Tingle Creek, Sandown Park - Named after the charismatic Tingle Creek who won 23 races in his career. The race named in his honour has also been won by the legendary Kauto Star, Desert Orchid & Sprinter Sacre. As well as the featured races you can watch one of the four showings of this year's pantomime - Robinson Crusoe. These shows are free to race goers in the Esher Hall. Advanced single tickets from £25.20. Accompanied children under 18 go free!

Family Ghost Tour - Join the State Apartment Warders at Hampton Court Palace for an early evening ghostly walking tour.

Ice Rink - the hugely popular rink will return to Hampton Court Palace between 21 November - 4 January. Book an evening session to see the stunning palace lit up to dramatic effect. Prices & session times can be found at www.thehamptoncourticerink.co.uk

Light Up The Palace - 12 December - 23 December (5-8pm, £10 adult, £5 child). Explore the gardens at Hampton Court Palace at night, lit up like you've never seen them before with an interactive light trail.

If you have little ones there is so much to do in and around Esher in the run up to Christmas.

Here is my pick of the best....

Visit Santa's Reindeer - From 22nd November-24th December (10-5pm mon to fri, 11-4.30 sun) Santa's reindeer will be at Garsons Farm so take little ones along to be enchanted before they fly off on important business!

Children's Christmas Trail - Between 13th December - 4 January, Claremont Landscape Gardens will be turning the Thatched Cottage into a Fairytale Cottage. Admission is 50p + the usual admission charge.

Santa in the Crystal Grotto - Santa will be returning to the Crystal Grotto at Painshill Park between 6 December - 24 December. The Christmas Wishing Tent and elves make this a truly magical experience. Entry is £9 (child) and £7.70 (Adult). Please book online as this is hugely popular and tickets sell out quickly.

The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe - 30 November - 4 January at The Rose Theatre, Kingston. Go on a magical journey with the Pevensey children - :Lucy, Edmund, Susan & Peter.