4 Things To See And Do in The Midlands This Christmas
The Midlands area gets a bad rep for not having things to do, but there's actually loads of things on in and around Birmingham this Christmas.
Here's four festive things to see and do in the West Midlands.
German Market
This is an obvious one, but the AM CityGrad offices are a pretzel's throw from the hustle and bustle (and delicious smells) of the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market. Birmingham was made a partner town with Frankfurt after the war and has held the market annually and with huge success every year. This year is actually the 50th anniversary of the partnership, and sees Birmingham's as the biggest market outside of Germany and Austria in the world.
Compton Verney Festive Food Fair
Compton Verney, in Warwickshire, is now an art gallery, built for the Verney family in 1741 and landscaped by Capability Brown in 1769. It is a beautiful Grade 1 listed building worth a visit for the grounds and gallery alone, but it is also hosting a Festive Food Fair on Sunday 4th December. With wreath making, cocktail classes, and of course the food fair selling 'cakes, Christmas goodies, preserves, cider, wine, beer, ale, gifts and more!', this is a must for anyone not yet feeling the Christmas spirit (and also with access to a car).
Blithbury Reindeer Lodge
Blithbury Reindeer Lodge at Rugeley in Stafford is a 30 acre farm housing the largest working reindeer herd in England. Other than working on filmsets and events, the reindeer pull sleighs and appear at the farms Christmas events, which range from Toddler Days to a Reindeer by Night Event for adults. A bit niche, but if animals are your thing, this looks like a unique experience, with tickets for around £20 including dinner, wine and mince pies.
Magical Lantern Festival at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Between the 25th November of 2nd of January, the Botanical Gardens are hosting a festival celebrating 2000 years of lantern culture, light, and Chinese New Year. Along with Christmas themed lanterns, there is a twelve metre wide lantern entrance feature, along with world food stands selling Chinese, Jamaican, and Spanish cuisine. Tickets for adults are only £12.50 when bought in advance, which I think is an okay price for the chance to look at all the pretty Insta-worthy lights and eat hot chocolate dipped churros.
