Christmas comes to Cheshire's award-winning Lion Salt Works Museum

11 Dec 2019 11:47
Published by: Kian French

Reindeer, steam engines and a choir will be part of the noisy and warm welcome to visitors to the Lion Salt Works Museum's fifth Christmas taking place this weekend, 14-15 December. The Museum's magical festive week, staged at its atmospheric site near Northwich, is full of exciting events aimed to appeal to the whole family, including meeting the most important visitors of all - Father Christmas and his reindeer. In addition, during the weekend, where will be free craft activities for children, bell ringers and Morris dancing. There is no charge to take part in this action-packed Christmas, except if visitors want to visit the museum (open from 10:30am to 4:00pm). For further information go to www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk.

On Saturday 14 December, children can visit Father Christmas in his Winter Wonderland Grotto in the Museum's Butterfly Garden by following the fairy lights. To receive a gift and 'reindeer dust' costs £3.00 per child. The museum's youngest visitors are encouraged to bring any letters they want to share with Father Christmas. Tickets are available from Lion Salt Works reception desk on the day. Father Christmas and his reindeer will be on site between 1-5pm on Saturday.

Historic steam engines will be available courtesy of Clive Hearsey and local steam enthusiasts. The machines will be in full steam during Saturday 14 December with owners available to talk about their engines. On display will be two Burrell double clutch compound speed locos, "Lady Louise" and "Alexander" as well as 'Bessie' a scale model tractor engine. Children will be able to ride free of charge on some of the miniature engines.

Throughout the weekend, free family craft activities will be available in the spectacular, historic setting of the Thompson suite, where children will be able to make a wide range of traditional items, such as Christmas cards and paper chain decorations as well as writing letters to Father Christmas. There will be festive story-telling in the specially-constructed 'Story Box' in the Manager's Office.

Over the weekend, local carol singers from the Rivendell Choir will be getting everyone into the Christmas spirit by singing traditional carols and there will be a festive performances by the Middlewich Bell Ringers and Northwich Morris Dancers at the Works.

Christmas shoppers can enjoy browsing in the Museum's well-stocked shop which features gifts such as a new contemporary jewellery collection, bags, books and some special items made from rock salt.

The Museum's cafe offers light refreshments, including its Christmas speciality Winter Gingerbread latte. The cafe is ideally located overlooking the imaginatively-themed play area, giving adults a chance to have a coffee while the youngsters play.

Lisa Harris, Director of Place Strategy at Cheshire West and Chester Council said: "This year's Christmas Event at the Lion Salt Works Museum will be even bigger and better than before. This is a wonderful line-up of activities and almost all of it will be available atmospheric site and joining in the festive spirit."

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