----------------------------
Days Out!
With Richard Thomas
...IF THE WEATHER'S BAD
Forget getting your old plastic tree in the attic back out again this year. At Gower Fresh Christmas Trees you can shop for the best fresh cut trees well as visit Wales’ largest reindeer herd.
WHERE? The tree site and Christmas grotto is located at Poundffald Farm in Three Crosses, Swansea, just five minutes from Junction 47. For sat nav-users the postcode is: SA4 3PB.
WHY? Gower Fresh Christmas Trees was set up about ten years ago by Poundffald Farm owner and fifth generation farmer Robert Morgan. What began as a concrete slab and a small number of Christmas trees soon became the largest grower in South Wales with over 250,000 trees for sale. Robert added the Christmas grotto five years ago to add some more Christmas cheer to the farm and to give children something to enjoy while adults are busy scouting for this year’s Christmas tree. There is a huge selection of trees to choose from at Poundffald Farm this Christmas. This year's crop includes every type of tree from Norway Spruce to the Noble Fir.
WHEN? Gower Fresh Christmas Trees is open 9.30am to 7pm on weekdays and 9.30am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. The Christmas attraction Winter Wonderland is open at the same times as the tree site. Children can visit Father Christmas in his grotto between 3pm and 6.30pm on weekdays and 9.30am to 4pm on weekends (last admissions at 3pm). After the start of the school holidays children can see Santa all day until 3pm on Christmas Eve.
CONTACT? Phone: 07811 949239.
HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE? One to two hours is enough time to see everything and pick your Christmas tree to take home.
WHO WILL ENJOY IT? Children will love the outstanding Winter Wonderland exhibits where you can come and meet Santa and his reindeer as they prepare for Christmas Eve. Inside is the farm's Arctic display which includes penguins, polar bears and seals. There are also singing Santa's and children can even have their photo taken in Santa's sleigh or visit Father Christmas himself in his grotto. There is even a life size 12 piece nativity display with baby Jesus, Mary, the three wise men, and shepherds. They also have a shop full of all types of Christmas items to purchase.
WHERE CAN I PARK? There is an onsite car park.
PRICES? Prices are from £4 to £6.50 for non-drops and £2 to £4 for spruce, but trees that are eight foot plus are more expensive. Decorations, gifts and tree stands are all for sale in the Christmas Shop. To visit Winter Wonderland and see Santa in his grotto costs £6.50 on weekends and £6 per child on weekdays, but is just £2.50 each for adults. To find out more got to: www.gower-fresh-christmas-trees.com.
...IF THE WEATHER'S GOOD
Set in the heart of the Gower Peninsula, the Gower Heritage Centre is a fun way to spend your day with a wide range of craft displays and activities to enjoy. In addition, the centre also holds several special annual events. Father Christmas will be in his Christmas grotto at the centre every weekend between 11am and 4.30pm until Christmas Eve.
WHERE? For sat-nav users the full address and postcode is: Gower Heritage Centre, Parkmill, Gower, Swansea, SA3 2EH.
WHY? The Gower Heritage Centre is a visitor attraction and rural life museum based around a working 12th century water-mill. Located only a 15 minuet walk from the breath taking Three Cliffs Bay, the centre offers fun activities for all the family, including craft shops and craft activities.
WHEN? The centre is open from 10am to 5.30pm all week.
CONTACT? Phone 01792 371206
HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE? With so much to do, you could spend the whole day at the centre.
WHO WILL ENJOY IT? There is something for the whole family to enjoy at the centre. Everyone will enjoy watching the craftspeople resident at the centre at work in the stores. Some of the gifts available to buy at the centre include various items in different turned woods made by woodturner John De Filippo, puppets and puppet making kits at Poppet Puppets, as well as paintings and artwork by Cheryl Firths. Other special items available to buy at the centre include some amazing driftwood gifts and handmade candles, as well as a range of garden furniture made at the Mill. There’s also an old fashioned games arcade, as well as a sandpit area, adventure playground, soft play area, and tractor play area. There’s even an animal farm with ducks, baby rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, horses and other animals. And, if all that wasn’t enough to see, the centre is also home to the smallest cinema in Wales, the La Charrette.
WHERE CAN I PARK? There is an onsite car park.
PRICES? There is a fee of £6.45 for adults and £5.45 for children 2 years old and up. Seniors and disabled visitors only pay £5.45 and you can opt to buy a family ticket which covers 2 adults and 2 children for £22 or a supersaver family ticket which covers 2 adults and up to 4 children for £26. More information can be found at: www.gowerheritagecentre.co.uk.
