CHRISTMAS has arrived at Warwick Castle.
Everywhere you look there’s twinkling lights, ornate trees and friendly elves.
And of course Father Christmas and Mrs Claus have flown in ready to regale the children, and grown ups, with tales from Santa’s Book of Stories.
The smell of mulled wine, toasted marshmallows and hots dogs fills the air around the ice rink as stalls have set up home just over the way.
The Castle is open as usual and the Great Hall is bedecked with a 20-foot Christmas tree and presents piled under it and the state rooms are all prepared to welcome guests for Christmas.
For the younger ones Stories with Santa was the highlight.
Before meeting the man himself the children are tasked to help the elves label the presents and get Christmas magic back into them so they can be delivered to the correct children on Christmas Eve.
There were plenty of labels for all the children to have one each – but for the little ones who aren’t so confident or sure on their shapes and colours, the grown ups are called on to help out.
The time then came for Father Christmas and Mrs Claus to inspect the work – but unfortunately Father Christmas had got stuck and it was up to us call him and get him out of the chimney.
Once safely out Father Christmas gathered everyone around and got out his story book and told us about Holly the Horse who was called upon to help him deliver presents.
Back outside the ice-rink, for those over three, is open in the day and the evening and there are aids to help little ones on their way round along with ice stewards to give a helping hand for those not so little ones.
After watching a spectacular festive performance from Telford Ice Skating Team they were ready to go with a penguin and a whale to help us all round!
Back solid ground the light show illuminates the castle grounds and peacock gardens.
With over half a million twinkling lights and a laser show with musical accompaniment it was a wonderful show to watch and stunned the pre-teen into a mode where the term six-seven wasn’t used for a full half hour!
For me watching the magic of Christmas wash over the little ones was the best part to see their faces light up with amazement while listening to Stories with Santa and watching the lights and the ring of laughter.
So if, like me you’re struggling to get to grips with the cold and wintry weather, head on over the Warwick Castle where a reminder is handed out on just how beautiful this time of year can be.
