In the county

(Winter Solstice) Sweat Lodge

Bestwood Country Park

22 November and 21 December, 10.30am–4pm

A chance to enjoy a natural steam bath beneath a hazel dome and cleanse away those aches and pains. Call Jason Sewell on 0115 956 9603 or e-mail turtlelodge@btinternet.com. A charge applies and pre-booking is essential. Meet at Bestwood Country Park campsite.

Meet Nigel Clough

East Midlands Designer Outlet

24 November, 5.30pm

Meet Nigel Clough for mince pies and festive drinks. East Midlands Designer Outlet hosts a Q&A session with Nigel and offers the chance for visitors to get his signature.

Yuletide Treasure Trail

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve

28 November - 3 January (Saturdays and Sundays), 11am-3pm

Enjoy some of the forest’s midwinter magic on this self-guided weekend trail around the Major Oak path, with a small “sweet” reward for all those who complete the clues! £1 per leaflet.

Christmas at Clumber

Clumber Park

28-29 November, 5-6, 12-13 December, 11am-5.30pm

Something for all the family with craft stalls, music and children's activities. Visit Father Christmas in his grotto (1- 4pm). Follow the lantern-lit trail around the Pleasure Grounds (from 4.30pm). Gifts galore in the Laundry Shop and seasonal fayre in the Restaurant.

Christmas tree sales at Sherwood Pines

Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Edwinstowe

1-23 December, 9am-3.30pm

Thousands of trees are waiting for homes at the 3,000 acre beauty spot near Clipstone, and revellers can take their pick from a massive selection.  Proceeds will be ploughed back into helping care for local woods. For generations of Notts folk it’s become a Yuletide pilgrimage to size up the offerings and find the finest fragrant foliage. Trees for sale include Norway spruce, pine and Nordmann fir. 01623 822447.

Christmas Plot To Plate

Clumber Park

2nd December, 10.30am-3pm

Cookery demo using produce from our Walled Kitchen Garden. Includes tour of the garden, three course Christmas meal, glass of wine and recipe book. Adult £35.

Victorian Christmas Tradition Tours at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum

D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, Eastwood

3-23 December (Tuesday to Friday and Sundays), 11am-3pm

Visit the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum to soak up the special festive atmosphere of a Victorian Family Christmas this December. Costumed guides will lead visitors around this quaint Victorian home, which will be decorated in the style of a traditional Christmas, to discover more about the origins of the many festive traditions that we still enjoy today. Normal museum admission charges apply. Telephone (01773) 717 353, email: culture@broxtowe.gov.uk or visit www.dhlawrenceheritage.org for further information.

A Festive Evening of Storytelling and Merriment

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve

4-5, 11-12, 18-19 December, arrive 7pm for 7.30pm

An evening of Robin Hood tales, music, feasting and merriment amongst Sherwood’s ancient oaks. Upon arrival you'll be welcomed with warming spiced mulled cider or winter berry fruit punch, before being invited to take your seat and listen to Robin Hood’s tales of old England, whilst a feast fit for a king is served by our wenches. Afterwards be lifted to your feet by our resident minstrels, for merriment and dancing until midnight. Tickets £27 for adults and £13.50 children. For further details or bookings call 01623 821322.

Aurora 2009

Rufford Abbey Country Park

5-6, 12-13 December, 5pm-7pm

Don’t miss the magic of Aurora this Christmas as layers of coloured light transform the gardens to create an enchanting wonderland, enhanced by an evocative and haunting soundtrack. Hidden features are revealed, and large trees become spectacular living sculptures in this spectacle especially redesigned for Christmas 2009. Wander the trails through the winter garden and experience hidden surprises and vivid colours at every turn. Adults £2, children £1.

Tree Dressing Workshop - spare a thought for the birds

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve

5 December, 2.30pm-3.30pm

At this time of year when we’re all busy enjoying ourselves, it’s easy to forget how cold it can be for birds. Come along and make a simple feeder to hang on trees at the centre as part of tomorrow’s Tree Dressing Day celebrations and another one to take home for your own garden. £2 per feeder to take home.

Tree Dressing Day

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve

6 December

Today is the highlight of Sherwood’s Christmas calendar as we invite you to join in the ancient custom of tree dressing. 

From 10.30am-12.30pm, make your own winter flag showing your favourite part of Sherwood Forest: a tree, an animal, acorns, toadstools or a bare tree against a bright sky. Have a go at samba rhythm drumming workshops from 11am–4pm. And join the tree dressing workshop from 1.30pm-3.30pm. Make decorations for the Tree Dressing Oak. Mixing recycled and natural materials we’ll decorate the tree with images of wildlife and our dreams of the forest. The afternoon will close with storytelling and a visit from a seasonal celebrity!

The big switch on is at 4.15pm. Gather round as dusk falls and listen to a seasonal tale or two with Gordon the Toad. Admire the newly dressed tree as the lights are switched on and Santa makes an appearance.

Winter Celebration, Torch Procession

Bestwood Country Park

12 December, craft session 2pm, torch procession 3.30pm

Get crafty with a ranger using recycled and natural materials to create beautiful tree dressings with which to adorn the woodland in a celebration of all things wintry. After the craft session the torch procession will head into the darkening woods as we welcome in the winter festival season. Please bring a torch! Prebooking and prepayment is essential for the craft session by calling 0115 927 3674 as places are strictly limited. £2 craft session. Meet at Alexandra Lodge.

A Children's Christmas Dream

Rufford Abbey Country Park

12-13 December, 5pm–7pm

Beyond the gardens of Rufford there is a secret land of Christmas dreams. Hidden away for the rest of the year, a secret doorway opens to reveal a host of magical characters, hard at work to make every child’s Christmas wish come true. Come along and see if you can find Santa’s friends and watch them while they toil. This special children’s event is ideal for all the family. Please note: this is taking place as part of the Aurora lights spectacular, and admission charges apply. Adults £2, Children £1.

Christmas at Creswell Crags

Creswell Crags

12-13 December, 10am-4pm

Visit Santa in his Ice Age Grotto and tell him your Christmas wishes. Meanwhile his Crafty Helpers will help you make cards and presents to take home. For a late shopping opportunity, pick up a handmade gift from our independent craft stalls. Inspirational artists and crafts people are lined up to dazzle the public with demonstrations and the opportunity to purchase one off personal pieces. 
 
Plus the Creswell Colliery Brass Band will be playing your favourite carols and the café will be serving cakes and mince pies. Tickets to see Santa available from the shop - £3.50 per child. Life in the Ice Age tours down Robin Hood’s Cave £6.50 per adult and £4.50 per child which includes exhibition entry. To book places for any of the events call 01909 720378 or email  info@creswell-crags.org.uk  www.creswell-crags.org.uk

Woodland Craft Day - Basket Making Workshop

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve

13 December, 10am–3pm

Come tothe visitor centre to craft your very own willow basket with expert tuition from woodland crafts people, Ray Lister and Samantha Pearce. Tea and coffee provided but please bring a packed lunch or, alternately, hot food can be purchased in the Forest Table Restaurant. £25 per basket. Places are limited to 10 people so prebooking is essential on 01623 823202.

Also on 13 December, WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS, 2pm - 3pm. Christmas magic is in the air as the delightful harmonies of the Dukeries Singers resound around the forest to set the scene for this festive time and provide a rosy glow to lighten your spirits.

Seasonal Concert

Clumber Park

13 December, 2pm-3.30pm

Join us as the Wheatsheaf Singers perform seasonal favourites in Clumber Chapel. £7.50 includes mince pies and glass of wine. Booking essential.

Yuletide Lantern Making Workshop

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve

19 December, 10.30am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–3.30pm

Willow frames and tissue skins will glow with warm lights and shine with the patterns of Sherwood Forest in the middle of winter. Make your very own lantern with patterns of bare branches and snowflakes, hibernating animals, snowmen, frosted windows and holly leaves. £5 per lantern. Pre-booking essential, 01623 823202.

Skating at Clumber

Clumber Park

19 December - 3 January (excluding Christmas Day), 11am–7pm

Over the Christmas holidays Clumber Park's first ever open-air synthetic ‘ice’ rink (12m x 12m) is installed in the Turning Yard. Skate in the footsteps of Dukes! Adults £4 Children £3 (U16) for a 30 minute session includes skate hire. Booking strongly advised due to limited availability. Book on 01909 544917.

Tales for Christmas

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve

20 December, 2pm start

Join storyteller extraordinaire, Stewart from Past Imagined, as he narrates tales for the festive season today in the visitor centre.

Yuletide Lantern Walk

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve

20 December, 4.30pm–5.30pm

Wrap up warm and bring a lantern or torch to light your way on this midwinter walk through the ancient oaks.  As the sun goes down, who knows who you might meet along the way or what you might find under the ‘Tree Dressing’ Oak!  Warm up afterwards in the welcoming Forest Table restaurant where hot drinks and yummy treats will be on sale. £3.50 per person.  Pre-booking essential on 01623 823202.

Carols for Clumber

Clumber Park

20 December, 2pm-3.30pm

Celebrate Christmas in Clumber chapel. All welcome. Free of charge, usual park entry fees apply.

Boxing Day Walk

Bestwood Country Park

26 December, 10am–12 noon

 A chance to walk off those Christmas calories and blow the festive cobwebs away. What better way to raise the spirits than with fresh air, the company of friends and a ranger to guide you through the winter landscape? 2-3 miles. Meet at the Winding Engine House car park, Bestwood Village.

Boxing Day Revival Walk

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve

26 December, 11.30am–1pm

If your head’s a bit fuzzy or you think you may have overdone the excesses of the festive period, this is your chance to breathe in some fresh air and get your legs working again!  Adults £2, children £1.

Boxing Day Lunch

Rufford Abbey Country Park

26 December

Let us do the hard work for you this Boxing Day. Book early for our lunchtime 3-course, waitress served meal. The Savile Restaurant is based in Rufford Abbey’s beautiful country park location. Why not make a day of your visit with a woodland walk, a stroll around our lake or indulge in some retail therapy at our Craft Centre, Outdoor Living Store, Lakeside Garden Centre or gift shop. £30 per person (children £15). For further information and to book call 01623 821310.

Unwanted gifts donation

East Midlands Designer Outlet

From 26 December

Donate an unwanted and unused gift and we’ll give you a 10% card. All gifts will be used to support PASIC (Parents Association Seriously |Ill Children), who provide financial and emotional support to families of seriously and terminally ill children in the East Midlands.

A Tinsel Trek

Clumber Park

29 December, 10am-12noon
Join our Warden for a walk around the park to burn off those Christmas calories. Free. Meet at the main car park. Normal park entrance applies.

New Year's Resolution Walk

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve

1 January, 11am–1pm

A fairly serious walk through Sherwood’s less trodden extremities.  If your New Year’s resolution is to be good to your heart, then this could be the walk that inspires you. So dust off those walking boots and dig out your local maps. Adults £3, children £1.50.