Walking in a Christmas Tree Wonderland

This weekend saw me and my family go to Bournemouth for the weekend – firstly to celebrate my mum’s 60th birthday and secondly to get in the festive mood and visit the Christmas Tree Wonderland.

Bournemouth is only approx 30-40 minutes away by car so would make a great place to stay pre-cruise. We chose to stay in the Hallmark Carlton hotel which was about a 15 minute walk from the town centre. The hotel had free Wi-FI, indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and sea views in some of the rooms.

In the lower gardens is where you will find the majority of the illuminated trees such as the St Petersburg Tree, Bethlehem Tree, Warsaw tree, and my favourite which was the Seattle tree which is made up of bauble shapes. In the middle is the Wonderland Tree which changes colour and we managed to time it right at 18.30pm to be able to see the trees light and music show which lasts approx 6 mins. You will also find illuminated Gingerbread people and a teddy bear as you walk through.

Within the lower gardens is the Ice-Skating rink where you can prebook your time for an hour to skate, have a mulled wine at the Alpine lodge or have a game of Gliders which we had prebooked to do. Gliders is a cross between Curling and Ten pin bowling where you need to get your glider either closest to the golden boot or score the most points. I am pleased to say my red team won.

There is also Santa’s grotto and booking in advance is advised as it was sold out the whole weekend we were there.

Once through the gardens and across the road is where you come across the Christmas market huts selling all sorts such as cheeses, glasses, scarves, signs and all the food huts – where we did have to try one of the hot chocolates and churros.  There was also the Alpine bar serving mulled wine and mulled Tanquerary Gin (although had run out of the Gin when we stopped for a drink Saturday afternoon)

So if you are in the area or sailing from Southampton this December then think about a night in Bournemouth to see the Tree wonderland for yourself.

Have a great couple of weeks

Kerry

xx