Winter Wonders: December

ARTS & CRAFTS

Guildford Antiques & Art Fair
Features highquality trade stands selling collectables and a range of festive gifts.
Where G-Live, London Road, Guildford: 01825-744074, www.penman-fairs.co.uk
When 8 and 9 December

The National Christmas Lacemaker’s Fair
One of the world’s biggest and best lacemaking events, with more than 50 exhibitors.
Where Cranmore Park, Shirley, Solihull: 01543- 491000, www.lace-making.com
When 1 December

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FAMILY

Christmas at the Castle
See fairytales unfold before your eyes as you tour the castle. You might even bump into Father Christmas.
Where Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent: 01622- 767860, www.leeds-castle.com/events
When 8 to 24 December

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FOOD

Chocolate Festival
Demonstrations, masterclasses, book signings and even a chocolate cocktail or two.
Where Southbank Centre, Waterloo, London SE1: 020-7960 4200, www.festivalchocolate.co.uk
When 7 to 9 December

Foodies Festival Christmas
Showcasing all the best in Scottish food and drink at Christmas.
Where Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, Edinburgh: 0131-226 7766, www.foodiesfestival.com
When 1 and 2 December

World Pie Eating Championship
For the 21st year in a row, pie enthusiasts compete to see who can eat one of the specially baked pies in the shortest amount of time.
Where Harry’s Bar, Wigan: 01942-823980, www.wigan.gov.uk

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HOGMANAY

Edinburgh and Glasgow Hogmanay Celebrations
See in the New Year with traditional Scottish flair. Expect concerts, fireworks and a right knees-up. Buy your tickets well in advance.
Where www.edinburghs hogmanay.com or www.visitscotland.com
When 31 December

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MUSIC

Carols by Candlelight
A delightfully festive evening of carols, plus readings from celebrities and other guests in aid of Mencap.
Where St Bartholomew the Great, West Smithfield, London EC1: 020-7696 5541, www.mencap.org.uk
When 5 December

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
First held in 1918, this traditional Christmas Eve concert features the choir founded by Henry VI. Usually televised.
Where King’s College Chapel, Cambridge: www.kings.cam.ac.uk
When 24 December

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OUTDOORS

Big Little Paper Boats
The end of the year marks the conclusion to the Year of Creative Scotland. To celebrate, thousands of paper boats will be launched along the Clyde.
Where Glasgow Riverside Museum, Glasgow: www.whysman.co.uk
When 31 December

Christmas Day Swim
The traditional Christmas Day dip in the sea organised by members of the Brighton Swimming Club. Spectators welcome. Where Brighton Beach: www.visitbrighton.com
When 25 December

Lions Festive Charity Walk
Work off the Christmas turkey and plum pudding on the 1½, 5½ or eight mile walk organised by the Knowle and Dorridge Lions Club.
Where Baddesley Clinton National Trust House, Solihull: www.knowleanddorridgelions.com
When 30 December

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FUN RUNS

London Santa Run
This 6km run sees 2,500 joggers taking part for charity. Dress code: Santa costume essential.
Where Battersea Park, London SW11: 01479-861272, www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk
When 1 December

The Great Christmas Pudding Race
A fun-filled annual event in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Where Covent Garden Market, London WC2: 07825-713700, www.xmaspuddingrace.org.uk
When 1 December

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NEW YEAR

London’s New Year’s Eve Celebrations
See in the New Year with a bang. Featuring a firework spectacular that is visible over a large part of central London. Where London Eye, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1: 020-7983 4100, www.london.gov.uk/nye

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FIVE BRACING COUNTRY WALKS

1. ABERGLASLYN PASS A circular, half-day low hills and fells walk in Wales. Distance 5 miles: www.carfreewalks.org 
2. BLENHEIM PALACE PARKLAND A gentle ramble through fi elds and parkland. Distance 7 miles: www.theaa.com/walks
3. LAWRENNY, PEMBROKESHIRE This walk combines ancient oak woodland and estuary. Distance 3 miles: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks
4. TARKA LINE WALKS Pass through some of Devon’s most beautiful countryside. Distance 7 miles: www.theaa.com/walks
5. THE LAIRIG LEACACH Walk the glen between the Easains and the Grey Corries. Distance 14 miles: www.carfreewalks.org

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He’s behind you!

Oh no, it isn’t. Oh yes, it is! It’s our guide to the best Christmas pantomimes…


BELFAST CINDERELLA Starring May McFettridge, Basil Brush and Jayne Wisener. Where Grand Opera House: 028-9024 1919, www.goh.co.uk/cinderella
When 8 December to 26 January

CARDIFF SLEEPING BEAUTY With Joe Pasquale, Ceri Dupree and Lucy Evans. Where New Theatre: 029- 2087 8889, www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
When 8 December to 20 January

EDINBURGH MOTHER GOOSE Starring Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Scott. Where King’s Theatre: 0131- 529 6000, www.edtheatres.com/panto
When 1 December to 20 January

GLASGOW CINDERELLA Starring Des Clarke, Jenny Douglas and Karen Dunbar. Where King’s Theatre: 0844-871 7627, www.atgtickets.com/venues/ kings-theatre
When 30 November to 6 January

HASTINGS PETER PAN Starring Paul Nicholas as Captain Hook. Where White Rock Theatre: 01424-426288, www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk
When 8 to 30 December

LONDON ALADDIN: A WISH COME TRUE Starring Paul O’Grady – as Lily Savage. Where The O2 Greenwich: 0844-847 1702, www.ticketmaster.co.uk
When 7 December to 5 January

ALADDIN Starring Tim Vine and Suzanne Shaw. Where Richmond Theatre: 0844-871 7651, www.atgtickets.com
When 7 December to 13 January

NOTTINGHAM CINDERELLA Starring John Partridge and Sheila Ferguson. Where Theatre Royal: 0155- 989 5555, www.trch.co.uk
When 8 December to 13 January

PLYMOUTH DICK WHITTINGTON Starring Christopher Biggins and Basil Brush. Where Theatre Royal: 01752-267222, www.theatreroyal.com
When 14 December to 19 January

WINDSOR JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Starring Anita Harris, Britt Ekland, Michael Crawford and Postman Pat.
Where Theatre Royal: 01753-853888, www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
When 5 December to 6 January

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IF IT SNOWS…

get your skis on in Scotland

1. Cairngorm One of the most popular skiing destinations in Scotland. Best suited to intermediate/advanced levels. Excellent après ski and a range of other activities on offer: www.cairngormmountain.org
2. Glencoe Skiers of all levels welcome, but best suited to intermediate levels. The Famous Fly Paper run offers challenging skiing. Unique and varied slopes featuring natural jumps and wide open runs makes it great for snowboarders, too: www.glencoemountain.com
3. Glenshee Situated in the southeast of Scotland, running over three valleys, there is skiing and snowboarding for everyone. Best suited to intermediate levels, with nursery areas near the main car park: www.ski-glenshee.co.uk
4. THE LechT 2090 Ideal place for children to learn. Snowmaking equipment and a designated snowboard fun park. Family-focused and friendly resort, with activities for non-skiers, too: www.lecht.co.uk
5. Nevis Range Most westerly of all ski areas and one of the highest. An open bowl system makes it a favourite with snowboarders. Best for intermediate/advanced levels. Great for late skiing. Also for climbers and mountain bikers: www.nevisrange.co.uk

 

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End-of-year films

The best cinema releases for those long, cold nights

Gambit Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz and Alan Rickman star in this Coen brothers comedy caper about a fake Monet, an unpredictable Texas rodeo queen and the perfect revenge on an abusive boss.
Release date 21 November

Great Expectations Dickens’s classic tale has been reworked by director Mike Newell and stars Ralph Fiennes as Magwitch, Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham, and Jeremy Irvine as Pip.
Release date 30 November

Jack Reacher Tom Cruise plays a homicide investigator working on a case involving a trained military sniper who has shot five random victims. Adapted from the novel by Lee Child, the film also stars Rosamund Pike and Robert Duvall.
Release date 26 December

Life Of Pi Yann Martel’s fantasy novel and international bestseller is brought to life on screen by Ang Lee. Starring Suraj Sharma, Gérard Depardieu and Rafe Spall.
Release date 20 December

Nativity 2 In this sequel, David Tennant takes over as the new teacher who enters his school in the Song For Christmas competition. Also stars Joanna Page, Pam Ferris and Jessica Hynes.
Release date 23 November

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS This animated fairytale sees Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost and the Sandman team up to battle against an evil spirit called Pitch (voice of Jude Law). Hugh Jackman, Chris Pine and Alec Baldwin also help to bring the characters to life.
Release date 30 November

THE HOBBIT: An Unexpected Journey Director of The Lord Of The Rings, Peter Jackson, is in Middle Earth (New Zealand) with Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and the dwarves in part one of JRR Tolkien’s book The Hobbit. A host of stars include Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom, Richard Armitage and Stephen Fry. Release date 14 December

THE IMPOSSIBLE The true story of one courageous family’s account of being caught, with thousands of strangers, in a tsunami. Stars Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts and Tom Holland.
Release date 2 January 2013

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL Kermit and friends are back in the re-release of this classic, to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Across the UK for children (and adults) to enjoy. Michael Caine appears as Scrooge.
Release date 23 November

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: Breaking Dawn – Part Two Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart (Edward and Bella) end the Twilight series protecting their daughter, Renesmee, from the sinister Volturi.
Release date16 November