GAIA
SANTA’S GROTTO AT TOUCHSTONES
BOOKSTART BEAR CLUB
From 20th November until Christmas Eve there will be a huge, spectacular, floating, rotating replica of the Earth at Number One Riverside in Rochdale Town Centre.
On weekends throughout December, Santa will be gracing Touchstones in Rochdale with his presence! For £10 per child you get a 45 minute experience, including storytime, a craft activity and a gift.
Autumn has seen the return of Bookstart Bear across Rochdale Borough Libraries and we couldn’t be more excited.
We went to see Gaia back in 2019 when it was in Liverpool Cathedral and it really is quite a sight to behold. The light and sound artwork by Luke Jerram is accompanied by family friendly activities and events.
Book your places at www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/ santas-grotto and don’t forget to wear your Christmas jumpers!
Bookstart Bear involves story time, singing and the playing of instruments (loudly)! Children get a “passport” when they start attending and collect stamps each week in order to get a certificate. It is all VERY cute, but it also provokes a love for books and for reading from a very early age. Times and venues differ from week to week in order to include more libraries across the town, so keep an eye out on the Eventbrite website to book a place - www.eventbrite.co.uk (search 'Bookstart Bear')
Visit rochdale.gov.uk/events for more details.
Catherine Aspinall, a local mum of two lively children and an equally energetic pug, shares her top family day out ideas. With a love for exploring and the outdoors, Catherine and her family are always out and about, having fun adventures in Rochdale & the North West. Follow on Facebook & Instagram @wherewegoingmummy
BOLTON ABBEY
FOUNTAINS ABBEY
LOTHERTON HALL CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE
Bolton Abbey is close to Skipton (BD23 6EX) and just over an hour away from Rochdale.
Fountains Abbey is near Ripon (HG4 3DY) and is about 1 hour & 20 minutes from Rochdale.
Lotherton is close to Leeds (LS25 3EB) and less than 50 minutes from Rochdale.
The Festive Trail through Strid Wood is a lovely 2 mile winter walk (one mile each way) complete with Christmas themed exhibits to find and pose with plus mince pies and hot chocolate available to purchase at the end!
It is STUNNING in all seasons, but on selected weekends in winter they light it up in rainbow colours and it looks more amazing than ever! As well as a brightly coloured monastic ruins (what else could you want?), you will find a fantastic woodland play area and a nativity trail to complete!
Although the slots for visits to Santa’s Cabin might have sold out, you can still buy tickets to just enter the grounds and what a jolly time you will have! There’s a mini zoo (including the most playful penguins) and fabulous playgrounds (including super fast zip lines), but the piece de resistance is the festive woodland walk, with twinkling lights, cheery music and interactive exhibits! Pre-book at: www.museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/lotherton
It will be advisable to pre-book a parking space at www.boltonabbey.com
14 | Rochdale Style
Pre-book entry at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ fountains-abbey-and-studley-royal-water-garden
