When Santa Came to Ford Park

If you came along to Meet Santa at Ford Park this year, you’ll know just how magical the walled garden looks. The lights twinkling, Santa’s sleigh ready for photos, the fernery looking magical as Santa’s grotto, reindeer hiding (again) the garden looked absolutely magical - it was such a joy to see families arriving excited to explore.

This year the Christmas Angel made a guest appearance, with beautiful light-up wings, dancing around the garden and bringing an extra sprinkle of magic to the experience. Seeing the children’s faces light up when they saw her; the excitement, the smiles, the little waves it was such a special moment for everyone.

Inside the Elves’ Workshop, children made their own Christmas tree decorations, filled little bags with magic reindeer food, and wrote their letters and wish lists ready to hand to Santa.

Then it was off to meet the big man himself and that moment when little faces light up because they’re convinced (quite rightly) that it’s the REAL Santa.

Seeing children exploring the lights, climbing aboard the sleigh, hunting reindeer and chattering away afterwards is exactly why we love this event. It takes a lot of work behind the scenes, but those smiles make the months of prep and planning worth it.

Thank you to everyone who battled the Cumbrian weather on Sunday, wrapped up warm and braved the weather, we really do appreciate it.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the event happen; our brilliant team and volunteers who spent weeks decorating, putting up lights, preparing crafts and wrapping gifts. And to our sponsors, Siemens who kindly sponsored this event and to WCF for donating the beautiful Christmas tree.

If you didn’t manage to visit during Santa weekend (or you’d just like another wander through the lights), we’re keeping the garden open late so you can enjoy the sparkle and take photos in Santa’s sleigh:

Open until 6pm on:

• Tuesday 16th December

• Thursday 18th December

• Friday 19th December

• Tuesday 23rd December

This is free to attend, but as Ford Park is a charity-run park, a suggested donation of £2 per person would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you again for supporting Ford Park and from all of us, Merry Christmas.