Cornwall’s inaugural winter wonderland has officially opened to festive crowds this Christmas season. A wide array of seasonal attractions, including ice skating, Santa’s grotto, amusement rides and a plethora of food stalls is now available to visit in Pool Market.
The site includes free parking and is accessible, though bumpy terrain can be expected.
The winter wonderland is set to run from 21st November to January 4th. Monday to Friday the wonderland is open from 3pm till 10pm, however on weekends there is an earlier opening time of 10am.
Despite Storm Bran causing a temporary closure due to damage from harsh winds and rains, the site is back up and running again. The storm, having said to have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage, did not keep the Christmas joy at bay for long. The team running the winter wonderland worked hard to ensure the site was safe for the public before opening back up on the 10th of December, after a few days of closure.
The ice rink, which has real ice, starts as cheap as £5 during the day, and offers skating assistance penguins for an additional £5. So those who struggle to ice skate can also enjoy the festively decorated rink. Alongside the ice rink, those who decide to visit Santa’s grotto will get a one-on-one session with Santa, including a gift and many photo opportunities.
The food markets are also a great opportunity to support local vendors, whilst trying festive food.
I spoke to Lisa Oswin, a local, who discussed that she was pleased to finally not have to travel further afield to enjoy Christmas activities such as ice skating.
Moving forward, the staff at Winter Wonderland have said that they are committed to keeping the site open and providing a Christmas experience to locals.