WHEN it comes to Christmas this year, in Torquay town centre we’ve got it covered…
Christmas Shopping
CHRISTMAS shopping at Fleet Walk Shopping Centre couldn’t be easier or more convenient.
It has on-site car parking for 414 cars with no restriction on how long you park, and at very reasonable prices. Once safely parked, it’s just a short walk to the fantastic range of shops and boutiques situated along the covered boulevard, offering a wide choice of gift ideas that will bring a sparkle to your Christmas festivities.
The eclectic mix of shops covers all age ranges, prices and styles for both men and women. Whether it’s ‘high-street’ fashion or designer chic; stylish shoes at prices ranging from cheap fashion models to top quality continental leather designs and the ever popular trainers, you’re sure to find the perfect Christmas outfit at Fleet Walk.
High street brands, unique shops and eateries combine and complement each other.
Stuck for ideas? Then you may want to visit the award winning gift shops that are sure to come up trumps for something a little different for that special friend or member of the family. We have shops selling exquisite hand-made candles, toys, games, books even something for your favourite pet. Your Christmas shopping is covered in one easy shopping experience.
When you feel like a break, relax with a delicious cup of tea, coffee or juice, a panini or pizza or maybe a glass of mulled wine at one of our bars or cafes and soak up the Christmas atmosphere, revelling in the knowledge that everything is taken care of.
FESTIVE FUN FOR ALL
THIS Saturday November 24, don’t miss the big Torquay Christmas Light Switch On in Torquay town centre. A school choir will be hosting a heartwarming concert at 3pm, before the lights go on at 6pm.
At Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust the following day on Sunday, November 25 and the Sunday afterwards there’s an invitation for everyone to join Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust for Christmas at Cockington.
From 11am to 4pm, you can enjoy roast chestnuts, craft workshops, mince pies, mulled wine and entertainment at Cockington Court and to top it all off, on December 14 there will be more mulled wine and mince pies but with Mars and meteors as Christmas festivities under the spectacular night sky.
Beacon Quay Winter Wonderland Ice Rink
PRIOR to that you are welcome to discover Torbay’s newest coolest attraction an eco-friendly ice rink.
This will take up most of the Beacon Quay boat park opposite the main entrance of Living Coasts.
Look out for log cabins, food tents and special ‘rink side’ animal events all adding to the special seasonal atmosphere.
The ice rink opens daily from 2pm till 9pm, between November 22, 2007 and January 8, 2008. The cost per ice skating session is just £5 per adult; £3.50 per child; a family ticket is £15.
Thursday December 29 — Babbacombe Lights
STEP up to Babbacombe for the village illuminations from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. There will be carol singing, a school choir, drinks, mince pies, Santa and a free kids draw.
Twelve Animals of Christmas at Living Coasts
AT Living Coasts this Christmas you can hear 12 special talks on rare and unusual birds on December 1, 2, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.
In the Green Grotto you can meet Santa and receive an environmentally friendly/ Fair Trade present from December 1, right up to Christmas Day and there’s Late Night Green & Fair Trade Shopping from November 29; December 6 is Fair Trade night and on December 13 and 21 there’s Carols and Kings.
Also at Living Coasts you can follow the Red Robin Trail and solve clues to get the opportunity to win a special prize from December 15 to 30.
At Carols and Kings you can enjoy late night shopping, mince pies and the world premiere of a new song The Twelve Animals of Christmas, written exclusively for Living Coasts
December 21. Plus there’s an opportunity to help Feed the Animals – at certain feeding times, visitors will be chosen at random to help with the feeding from December 24 to 31. For further information telephone 01803 202470 or log on towww.livingcoasts.org.uk
Simply tree-mendous
IF you are looking for inspiration on how to decorate your Christmas tree this Christmas, visit the All Saints Church Christmas Tree Festival 2007 in Torre.
From Saturday, December 1 the church interior will be surrounded by Christmas trees neatly decorated and illuminated by charities who are sponsoring the event.
This is an opportunity to gain some inspiration and a chance to learn all about many local charities as you go. The festival runs until Sunday, December 9.
Saturday, December 1 — Mistletoe Ball
Grand Hotel, Torquay. Telephone 01803 296677.
Saturday, December 1 — Torquay Christmas Carnival.
THIS Christmas the carnival parade commences from Lymington Road at 4.15pm.
December 3 to 23 — Torbay Contemporary Arts Fair
The Pavilion, Torquay Marina. The fair is open daily from 10am to 5.30pm
December 8 — Cockington Christmas Caper Race
THERE’S a new incentive to run this season and see seven miles of scenic countryside if you fancy taking part contact Mark Musty on 01803 391000.
Sunday, 9 December — Santa Run.
Hundreds of people dressed as Santa will run along Torquay seafront, dressed as Santa to raise money for the When You Wish Upon A Star charity.
Entry is £10 for adults and £5 for children and includes a Christmas outfit (and a Santa’s Helper hat for kids) and a medal. The English Riviera Tourist Board, who is putting on the event, would like to get as many people involved as possible and smash the record for the most Santas ever running for charity. Please spread the word to everyone you know. Log on to www.englishriviera.co.uk and click on to the Santa Run link for lots more information.
Christmas shopping at Torquay Museum
AN Aladdin’s Cave full of colourful and unusual gifts awaits visitors to Torquay Museum’s gift shop and you don’t have to pay an admission charge to browse its shelves for Christmas present ideas, pop in to the museum on Babbacombe Road.
Friday, December 14th — Rowcroft Ball
Imperial Hotel, Torquay, telephone 01803 294301
December 19 and 20 — Christmas Wassail
TOADS, Little Theatre, St Marks Road, Torquay.
Friday December 21 — Holly Ball
At the Grand Hotel, Torquay, for further information telephone 01803 296677.
General Christmas Events
DURING the month of December over the most popular shopping days in the lead up to Christmas, Riviera Christmas Live will add an extra seasonal dimension to the retail experience. Events are taking place in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, as well as the Victorian shopping arcade in St Marychurch. A combination of choirs, brass bands, opera singers, bell ringers, face painters, stilt walkers and fire eaters will bring the spirit of Christmas to the English Riviera. Visit www.englishriviera.co.uk and click on the Christmas events section for the full programme.
Big freeze hits Model Village
FOLLOWING on from the success of last year’s Winter Wonderland, Winter Wonderland 2 is just waiting to be discovered at Babbacombe Model Village.
The attraction returns with even more snow cover and fun wintry scenes, daily from November 24 to January 4, 2008 with snow flurries throughout the day and icy illuminations daily from 3.30pm.
Step up to Santa’s Icy World on December 8, 9, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23 from 12pm to 3.15pm and 4.30pm to 7.30pm, or on December 10 to 14, and December 17 to 19 from 4.30pm to 7.30pm; December 24, 12pm to 3:30pm.
Catch Santa’s Polar Blast a magical special effects adventure in the new 4D theatre (suitable for four years and over). For further information please telephone 01803 315315 or log on to www.model- village.co.uk
Prepare to be scared
A FUN scary evening is being planned in the caves of Kents Cavern with a Ghost Show and Christmas Ghouls Banquet in the themed restaurant on December 7, 8, 14, 21 from £22 per person.
There’s also an opportunity to meet Santa in the cave on December 9, 15, 16, and December 21 to 24 inclusive price of pantomime, Santa cave visit and present. Adult price is £8, child £10, under twos free. Book early to avoid disappointment. Santa and the Snow Queen is available for playgroups, Reception and Year 1 classes from December 3 to 20, £5 per child, leaders free. Telephone 01803 215136 or log on to www.kents-cavern.co.uk
Something wonderful
CHRISTMAS is almost upon us, and the Babbacombe Theatre has already had curtain up on this year’s Yuletide offering in the guise of The Wonderful World of Christmas.
Other festive offerings also at the Babbacombe Theatre in Torquay include for one night only on Saturday December 15 at 8pm, Christmas Crooners. This show features many of the Christmas favourites of Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and old blue eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. A fantastic cast of West-End singers, backed by the superb Jazz All Stars Band, perform over 30 well known Christmas Hits including Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, Little Drummer Boy, White Christmas and many more.
Cinderella, undoubtedly the most loved pantomime of them all, is on Saturday, December 22 at 3pm when Wonder Productions will be transforming the stage at the Torquay venue, into the fairytale that whisks Cinders away from those wicked, Ugly Step Sisters into the arms of her handsome prince… Oh yes it does!
So much on show
THERE’S a great line up at the Princess Theatre leading up to and including this year’s pantomime.
You can get in to the Christmas mood with the Royal Marines Christmas Spectacular on December 1; Hear Merry Xmas Everybody on December 2.
Go to Beyond the Barricade at Christmas on December 6 and then from December 14 until January 6, it’s panto time with Jack and the Beanstalk.
For more details and to book your tickets online for any of these shows visit www.babbacombe- theatre.com or call the Box Office on 01803 328385.
Torbay Road,
Paignton TQ4 6AF
01803 555872
Grange Lane,
Merton,
Okehampton,
Devon, EX20 3ED
01805 603706
