Thu. Jan 2nd, 2025

Visit Father Christmas in his Grotto – in Magic at Milestones

Victorian Train Station: 8 – 9, 15 – 16 and 22 – 23 December

Go along to the Magic at Milestones event in Basingstoke over the weekends of 8 – 9, 15 -16 and 22-23 December and you will also be able to visit Father Christmas in his grotto inside the waiting room at the living history museum’s Victorian train station.  Children aged 0-15 years will be able to chat to the merry, red-coated man himself and receive a festive gift to take home.

As Father Christmas will be very busy preparing for his mammoth journey around the world on Christmas Eve, families need to pre-book online or by calling 01256 477766 (up to three children per 10 minute slot).

Families visiting Father Christmas can discover the unbelievable as they walk around the museum’s Victorian streets, watch live magic shows, guess how magicians perform their astonishing tricks, make a magic wand and cast a spell, and play with optical illusions; activities will vary from day-to-day. Magic at Milestones continues until 6 January, well after Father Christmas has closed his grotto for another year.

A visit to Father Christmas is £3 per child in addition to the Milestones Museum entrance fee; adult £8.50, concession £7.50, child (aged 5 – 15 yrs) £5, family (2 adults + 2 children) £25. Father Christmas will be in his grotto over the three weekends from 11.30am until 4.45pm with last admission at 3.45pm. Entrance to the museum is free to Culture-all passport holders, www.culture-all.co.uk but grotto tickets must be purchased. For more details visit www.milestones-museum.com/magic or Tel 01256 477766.

Milestones is one of a series of museums and attractions run by Hampshire County Council – www.hants.gov.uk/tourism.

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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