Thanks to Margam Country Park for inviting us along in exchange for this review.
Margam Country Park is a fantastic place to visit all year around. I’ve visited as a child and now as an adult with my own children.
Set in 850 acres, there is a huge vast amount of space to walk, ride and explore. From the fairy tale village to adventure playground, and castle and gardens, there is something for everyone. There is even a Go Ape Tree Top Adventure!
It’s free entry to the park, apart from selected special events, with some carrying a charge. There is also a car park fee (£6 for a car).
I’ve previously been to the dinosaur event and medieval jousting, both brilliant and we hope to go back next year, if they have them on again.
This Christmas, we were looking to do something different and had heard about the Santa Deer Feed events. It was our first time and were so excited to be invited along.
We were really lucky with the weather on Saturday (14th December). We were expecting typical Welsh weather with heavy rain and wind, and our fingers were crossed they wouldn’t cancel. However, when we arrived, we were met with blue sky and sunshine.
As a blue badge holder, at Margam Country Park, you can park in the bottom car park or can park at the top by the castle. If you’ve been before, you’ll know that Margam Country Park is a hilly place with uneven ground. They have tried to try make all areas accessible with concrete and stone paths, and there are different routes that go around the stepped areas.
The event for Santa feeding the deer was being held up on the castle terrace, so we parked at the top by the castle.
Inside the castle, it was beautifully decorated! It offered the perfect backdrop for a Christmas photo.
In addition to the Santa Deer Feed, they had other activities taking place in the castle. There was an elf workshop and Friends of Margam Park were holding free Christmas crafts in another room. The craft stalls offered the perfect hideaway from the cold outside. They had a lovely selection of wooden decorations, magnets and cards that you could decorate for free.
There were more photo opportunities outside, where you could have your photo taken with a snowman, reindeer or elf character.
Santa Deer Feed
Out on the terrace, for an 11am start, children and adults lined up looking across the castle gardens and field, awaiting Santa.
Santa appeared in his sleigh from the brow of the hill, pulled by a tractor. Santa begins by waving at the crowd and then starts to throw feed for the deer to follow him, occasionally dipping into song, singing jingle bells and ‘hohoho’ ing.
It was quite a sight to see the deer rush over to Santa – it was different and nice to see the reindeer out in the open and free.
My two older children (aged 5 and 8) are quite switched on, and I’ve already had ‘the talk’ about Santa and his helpers. However, they were still asking if this is the real Santa. He certainly had me convinced!
Santa parked-up his sleigh at the end of the terrace and invited people to have photos taken.
To warm up afterwards, we treated ourselves to a hot chocolate in the cafe.
There is a step by the main door of the cafe, which my wheelchair couldn’t get over. There is an alternative door that is accessible, but a member of staff had to unlock it.
Overall we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and it certainly contributed to our festive spirit.
