This is certainly going to be a different kind of Christmas and with Oxfordshire and Warwickshire in tier 2 & tier 3 respectively, lots of the activities we’d often be doing at this time of year are closed, cancelled or moved online.
But have no fear! I have five festive walks near Tysoe you can do – even in tier 3!
Obviously, this post is written with the proviso that all covid rules for your area are abided by. So with that caveat let’s get to it.
1. Beatrix Potter Winter Trail at Upton House
This popped up on my Facebook feed today and I immediately booked tickets. It’s a free event which is included as part of your admission ticket. National Trust members still need to book your slot to attend.
It’s clearly designed for children, but even for couples and older families, I’m sure it will make a good festive distraction for a Sunday afternoon. Plus the cafe is open for coffee and cake to have on a takeaway basis. Help Peter Rabbit and friends complete the activities in the winter garden and woodland walk. What’s not to like! Website for more info.
2. Kineton Christmas Tree Trail
Fellow tier 3 town Kineton will be sporting a festive cheer from next week! The Kineton Christmas Tree Trail kicks off on 5th December and consists of 300 – 500 individually decorated themed Christmas tree sponsored by local businesses, charities and residents around both Little Kineton and Kineton villages.
I’d highly recommend purchasing a map from the village shop (£2.50) and proceeds go to local charities. This year’s theme is appropriately Heroes & Heroines.
The Friends of Kineton group are providing mince pies and mulled wine on 5th, 12th and 19th December and car parking is being provided at the school. (They will also sell maps on these days to!) See the website for more info: https://kinetonchristmastreetrail.co.uk/
3. ‘Christmas Card to Tysoe’ Trail
Not to be out done by our Kineton neighbours, Tysoe has it’s inaugural ‘Christmas Card to Tysoe’ trail which kicks off this year.
Tysoe residents have been decorating their windows with festive scenes and displays to form part of a trail that heads through all three villages, Lower, Middle and Upper – keep an eye out for the stars!
The Christmas Card Trail quiz will also be available from 18th December from the Village Store. I can see that many displays are already up, but the trail officially kicks off from 12th December. Well done to Alison and team for rallying the village on this.
To also give things a sense of occasion, I’d suggest doing the trail on a Friday night and teaming it up with a visit to Kate and gang at Happy Herefords on Herberts Farm for a takeaway burger or hot dog!
4. Festive Lights at Blenheim
The Festive Light Trail at Blenheim is still going ahead and there are still some tickets left especially for weeknights. The Christmas market doesn’t feature this year, but there are still opportunities to grab a bite to eat and festive drink to keep you warm as you walk around. Read our full review of the light experience from previous years’ here.
5. Other villages doing festive walks
I also know that South Newington, Oxfordshire will be doing the Christmas Window trail during December, kicking off from middle of the month.