143 weeks and 6 days | Welford Christmas Tree Farm

Last weekend we revelled in the most wonderful of family traditions. We went Christmas tree shopping at Welford Christmas Tree Farm. As Andy Williams immortalised in song ‘it’s the most wonderful time of the year’ and — for me it really is — the lead up to Christmas is magical.

I can’t quite put into words just how much I enjoy this little activity.

Ever since we owned our own home, my boy and I have made a really big thing about ‘getting the Christmas tree’. It’s unquestionably my favourite annual excursion (and, given my enthusiasm for music festivals, that is a pretty impressive accolade).

A Real Christmas Tree Farm

Some people prefer an artificial tree — no needles on the carpet to vacuum up, no annual expense — and I can see the attraction (sort of). Each to their own at the end of the day.

For me personally, getting the tree is more than just the tree itself.

It’s about the excitement of a lovely day out.  It marks the start of the countdown to Christmas; the anticipation of the big day. And if I was ever feeling a little bit ‘bah-humbug’, about the impending festive season, ‘getting the Christmas tree’ is a surefire antidote to that.

I love it.

Particularly as the Welford Christmas Tree Farm has more than just Christmas trees.

There’s a barn, complete with animals. This year they had two reindeers — Katya and her little son Hector — plus piglets, turkeys, goats and donkeys.

Welford Christmas Tree Farm
The Shepherd’s hut at Welford Tree Farm
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
Welford Christmas Tree Farm
Feeding the reindeer
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
Welford Christmas Tree Farm
Little Donkey
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
Welford Christmas Tree Farm
We love the turkeys and their crazy alien faces!
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
Shepherd's hut at Welford Christmas Tree Farm
Goats at Welford Christmas Tree Farm
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
Shepherd's hut at Welford Christmas Tree Farm
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
Shepherd's hut at Welford Christmas Tree Farm
The most wonderful time of the year
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

Welford Christmas Tree Farm

But Welford Christmas Tree Farm is not just about the trees and the animals. Nope.

There’s the complimentary mulled wine and mince-pies too.

A steaming cup of sweetly spiced booze, plus a warm pastry treat is always going to make me feel Christmassy.

Even on such a grey, windy day as it was on Saturday. No amount of cold, inclement weather is able to dampen my spirits when we’re at the Christmas tree farm

christmas-tree-shopping-mook-and-bertie
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
christmas-tree-shopping-bertie-mince-pie
The most wonderful time of the year — enjoying a complimentary mince-pice :)
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

Finally, there is a little shop bursting with decorations and wreaths, sparkling and shimmering with festive loveliness.

It’s like Aladdin’s cave. More Christmas goodies than you can shake a stick at. The boys were absolutely mesmerised!

Festive Goodies in the Barn at Welford Christmas Tree Farm

christmas-tree-shopping-boys-and-decorations
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
christmas-tree-shopping-christmas-tree
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
christmas-tree-shopping-wreath
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
christmas-tree-shopping-snowman_dec
The most wonderful time of the year — everything that glitters
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

Am I selling it to you? ;)

To say I like the annual ‘getting the tree’ day out is a bit of an understatement. This is the highlight of my entire year. Never failing to delight and bring good cheer, this simple activity sets me up for the entire month.

The most wonderful time of the year
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
The most wonderful time of the year
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.
The most wonderful time of the year
The most wonderful time of the year for my two tiny boys
Photo Credit: The Listed Home.

For all the little traditions that we are creating, as a family, this is sure to be my favourite.

And as we drove away — with the little Christmas tree we’d chosen — securely fastened to the top of the car, my boy remarked on how much the Twinkles had enjoyed it and how, from here-on-in, this will be something that they look forward to too.

Such a lovely thought.

So in celebration of this little tradition, I’ve made a little film of our day out.

Editors Note: I wrote this post back in 2015 and since then, Welford Christmas Tree Farm has grown! These days they have a Santas’s Grotto, a Tipi Cafe and even wreath decorating workshops! It’s well worth the visit if you’re looking for a festive day out in the East midlands.

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Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.

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28 thoughts on “143 weeks and 6 days | Welford Christmas Tree Farm”

  1. This place looks brilliant, I just googled it and it’s an hour from us so a bit far. Otherwise we would definitely gone there! I could never have a fake tree, it has to be real in my house. We are getting outs from a pick your own farm tomorrow and I’m so excited! Xx

    Reply
    • Aaah Becky — such a shame it’s a little too far. It’s really, really worth it!! It makes getting the tree extra special to have the animals — and all the other extra bits and pieces — there!
      I hope you enjoyed your day out too and got a lovely tree! xx :)

  2. How exciting your enthusiasm is infectious! I love these photo’s – it looks like an amazing place to get a tree! Hurrah for Xmas! :) xxx

    Reply

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