Things To Do At Christmas Near Staffordshire

If you are searching for something genuinely special to do at Christmas this year, Alderford Lake is well worth the journey from Staffordshire. Sitting just over the border in Shropshire, it is under an hour from most of Staffordshire and offers a full programme of Christmas experiences that you will not find at any shopping centre or indoor attraction.

From a boat ride to Santa’s island to a woodland bar where everything is made of ice, Alderford has made Christmas into something you experience rather than just attend. This is your guide to what is on, what to expect, and how to plan your visit from Staffordshire.

Christmas at Alderford runs 27 November to 23 December 2026.

Santa Island Experience

The centrepiece of Christmas at Alderford is the Santa Island Experience: a 90-minute adventure that begins with a boat ride across the lake to Santa’s hidden island. There are no queues, no conveyor-belt grotto visits, and no rushing. This is Christmas done properly.

Once on the island, the elves greet your family with gooey toasted s’mores before taking you through a series of magical moments. You will follow the Wishing Elf across a sparkling bridge to whisper a wish to the stream, help out in the toy workshop, write a letter to Santa, and finally meet Santa himself in his grotto. Every child leaves with a gift. The elves serve hot chocolate for children and festive drinks for adults at the Elf Bar, and there is even a bag of treats to take home for Henry and Hector on Christmas Eve.

Tickets range from £45 to £58 per person depending on your chosen date and time. Under-1s are free. A personalised invitation from Santa can be added for £5. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your session starts. Buoyancy aids are provided for the boat.

Accessibility: an adapted boat is available for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. Contact the team at enquiries@alderford.com to arrange. Book your Santa Island Experience online.

Real Ice Skating at Alderford

After your Santa experience, or as a standalone visit, ice skating at Alderford is a brilliant way to spend a winter afternoon. The rink is a real ice rink, mostly undercover, with sessions of around 50 minutes. Polar bear skating aids are available for those still finding their feet.

Special event nights run through December: K-Pop Ice Party on 5 and 19 December, SEN Relaxed Session on 29 November and 12 December, Nashville on Ice on 11 December, and Rave Skate (adults only) on 18 December. These book up quickly, so plan ahead.

Woodland Ice Bar

Tucked away in the woodland at Alderford is one of the most unusual Christmas experiences in the region: the Woodland Ice Bar. The temperature inside can drop as low as -12°C, and almost everything around you is made from ice, including hand-carved sculptures.

Your visit lasts around 20 minutes and includes two drinks: a shot served in an ice glass through an ice luge, and a warming glass of mulled wine to finish. Non-alcoholic alternatives are available. Children aged 4 and over are welcome with a ticket and an accompanying adult. Dress warmly.

Christmas Drive-In Cinema

The Christmas Drive-In Cinema at Alderford runs throughout the season with a mix of family films and evening screenings. This December: The Holiday on Friday 11 December and Home Alone on Sunday 13 December. Watch from the car or bring blankets, and enjoy a lakeside Christmas film night in the Shropshire countryside.

Meet Henry and Hector

Henry and Hector are Alderford’s real reindeer, included with all Christmas activity bookings. For young children especially, meeting a real reindeer is one of those Christmas memories that sticks.

Getting Here from Staffordshire

Alderford Lake is on Tilstock Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 3JQ. From most of Staffordshire you are looking at around 45 minutes to an hour by car. Free parking is available on site for up to 3 hours. All-day parking is £5. Opening times are 9am to 4:30pm daily, with last entry at 4pm.

All Christmas experiences must be booked in advance. Sessions fill quickly, particularly at weekends and in the run-up to Christmas. Book online to secure your place.