Join us for a Festive Adventure and get ready for Christmas with our new charity event for Hospsicare.
We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Hospiscare, our charity of the year, as part of Otters’ 60th Anniversary good deeds celebration.
Since 2019, we have proudly supported Hospiscare, helping them provide essential care and support to local families. This year, we aim to raise even more funds to make a lasting difference in our community.
Enjoy festive fun for all the family, whilst helping to support the amazing work of Hospiscare by attending our Festive Adventure: Get Ready for Christmas!
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW
(Tickets for this event must be purchased in advance)
The event will run from Tuesday 17th to Monday 23rd December 2024. From 9am until 4:30pm everyday.
On Wednesday 18th December we will have an extended evening opening from 9am until 7pm.
This event will be at our Ottery St Mary garden centre.
At Otter, we want to help give back to our community this Christmas and feel this Festive Adventure, will be a fun and excellent way to do this.
This is a non-profit event, with all proceeds being donated to Hospiscare.
FIND OUT MORE
Jacqui Taylor, Managing Director at Otter Garden Centres says “We are very excited to launch a new Christmas event this year, as we partner with our charity of the year, Hospiscare.
We hope families will come together with us to create magical memories in our Festive Adventure, whilst also getting ready for Christmas and helping us raise much-needed funds for this vital local charity.
We think it’s a fantastic way to celebrate the season of goodwill to all and make a real difference in our community.”
Toni Hiscocks, Area Fundraiser says “We are incredibly grateful to Otter Garden Centres, a wonderful family run business that has been a pillar in our community for 60 years. Their decision to continue to collaborate and support Hospiscare as their charity partner speaks volumes about their commitment to giving back and supporting their local community.
As a local and independent charity, we feel very lucky to be able to continue to build and grow this very special relationship. It is exciting that we are able to work together with Otter in such a special way, engaging with their team and allowing our local Fundraising Support Group, Otter Vale Friends, to continue to work very closely with the Otter Garden Centre team to raise vital funds.
Having been personally touched by Hospiscare, their partnership means so much to us and will have a lasting impact on our patients and their families we are currently supporting, allowing Hospiscare to continue to be there and support local families who need the specialist end of life care during the most difficult time.
We would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to all the team and customers who continue to support Otter Garden Centre and Hospiscare.
Here’s to another 60 years of kindness, compassion and community spirit”
WHAT TO EXPECT
Christmas Mail Room
Begin getting ready for Christmas in the magical mail room. Children can bring their letters to Santa to post in the jolly mailbox. Grown-ups could also post a Christmas wish, a favourite memory from the year, or resolutions for 2025, there’s something magical about sending your special message.
Reindeer Retreat
Visit the enchanting Reindeer Retreat, where our charming animated reindeer will entertain you with their delightful festive tunes. It’s the perfect spot to pause and enjoy some musical holiday cheer.
Winter Wonderland
Capture memories that will last a lifetime! Explore our wintery wonderland, meet our lively animated characters, and snap your festive photos in this magical snowy setting.
Christmas Kitchen
Swing by the Christmas Kitchen to collect your special Christmas cookie mix – the perfect treat to bake on Christmas Eve. These delicious cookies are sure to add extra sweetness to your festive celebrations and an essential when getting ready for Christmas.
The Stable
Before you leave, don’t forget to gather some reindeer food to sprinkle outside your home on Christmas Eve. It’s the perfect way to ensure your Christmas magic shines bright and gives you the finishing touch to get you ready for Christmas.
Take a Little Train Ride
Once you’ve finished your adventure, don’t miss the chance to take a little train ride back! Hop aboard and enjoy the perfect ending to your Festive Adventure to Get Ready for Christmas.
By joining us at our Festive Adventure, you’ll not only experience the fun of the festive magic but most importantly you will be helping us to support our local charity, Hospiscare in their vital work.
Let’s come together to make a meaningful impact on the lives of families who need some extra help in our community this Christmas.
Ticket price includes entry to all our Festive Adventure activities plus a donation to Hospiscare.
Children and babies tickets also includes cookie mix and reindeer food.
Ticket prices:
- £8 Children (aged 1-14)
- £6 Babies 12 months and under
- £6 for adults
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW
GOT A QUESTION?
What are the dates and times for Festive Adventure?
The event will run from Tuesday 17th to Monday 23rd December 2024. From 9am until 4:30pm everyday.
On Wednesday 18th December we will have an extended evening opening from 9am until 7pm.
Do I need to book tickets in advance, or can I buy them on the day?
Yes, all tickets must be purchased in advance from our website.
Tickets can be purchased from 19th November.
Do all children and adults visiting the festive adventure need to have a ticket purchased for them, even if they are very young?
All persons, adults and children, visiting the festive adventure must have a ticket purchased for them, including children under 1 and newborns.
What happens when I buy my ticket online and how do I use my DigiTickets?
You will be emailed an order confirmation that will include a unique booking reference code and barcode. You can take a screenshot of this on your mobile device, or print off a copy to bring along with you to the festive adventure at the time and date of your booking.
Will we see Father Christmas?
The Festive adventure’s purpose is to raise money for Hospice Care.
It is not a commercial grotto experience and Father Christmas will not be putting in an appearance.
There will be plenty of opportunities for festive family selfies, a little train ride, reindeer food and a magic cookie mix for the children to take home to make their own festive cookies to add to the excitement of preparing for Christmas.
How long will I be in the activity / event for?
We expect your Festive Adventure to last 20 minutes depending on the number of visitors at your booking time.
What time should I arrive?
You must arrive 10 minutes before your festive adventure begins. Please report to the ticket desk with a copy of your booking confirmation. Each session starts promptly and unfortunately, we cannot wait for late arrivals. It’s a good idea to take children to the toilet before you arrive as there are no toilet facilities inside the festive adventure.
Is there an entrance fee, and what does it include?
Yes, all attendees must purchase a ticket for this event in advance from our website.
Ticket price includes entry to all our Festive Adventure activities plus a donation to Hospiscare.
Children and babies tickets also include cookie mix and reindeer food.
Ticket prices:
- £8 Children (aged 1-14)
- £6 Babies 12 months and under
- £6 for adults (any person over 14)
Can I change my booking or cancel it?
No this is a charity event and therefore any tickets/booking cannot be cancelled. If you need to add an extra guest to your booking, please contact festiveadventure@ottergardencentres.com and the team will be able to deal with your enquiry.
Are there any age restrictions for the activities?
No, this is a family friendly event for everyone to enjoy. All attendees must have a ticket purchased for them.
What happens if it rains or the weather is bad on the day of our visit?
Our Festive Adventure is an inside event.
Will there be food and drink available during the event?
There will be no food & drink available during the event but our garden centre restaurant will be open for you to visit before or after your Festive Adventure.
You can see our restaurant opening times here – https://www.ottergardencentres.com/coffee-shops/
Do you have toilet facilities available?
Yes, these are located in the garden centre, not in the festive adventure itself. We recommend you visit these before you begin your festive adventure.
Is parking available on-site, and is it free?
Yes we have plenty of parking and it is free.
Is the Festive Adventure wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the Festive Adventure is wheelchair accessible – however the little train does not have the facility for a wheel chair or a child’s pushchair or pram to get onto the little train – the little train is too little for these items.
It is only a short distance back to the garden centre from the festive adventure for wheelchair users or pushchairs or prams.
Can I bring my own camera to take photos?
Yes, please take lots of photos and don’t forget to take a selfie or 2 to enter our selfie competition.
What should we wear to the Festive Adventure?
Please wrap up warm to enjoy your Festive Adventure.
Why do you charge for babies and adults?
All children visiting the festive adventure will be given a bag of cookie mix and reindeer food as part of their experience, so to ensure no child is left out, all children from newborn must have a ticket purchased for them.
Adults must also have a ticket purchased for them, as this is not an event only for children, it is for all the family to join in and enjoy. Otter will be donating every penny of the proceeds from our Festive Adventure to Hospiscare.
Can I make group bookings?
For any bookings with over 10 children, please contact our event team by emailing festiveadventure@ottergardencentres.com and we will do our best to accommodate your visit.
Is the event pet-friendly?
Sorry but only guide and assistance dogs can join you on your Festive Adventure.
Do you allow pushchairs and buggies?
Due to the interactive nature and engagement of the experience we provide at this event, we do recommend that you leave your pushchairs and buggies at our ticket desk area, rather than bringing them through into the festive adventure.
We also are unable to accommodate pushchairs and buggies on the train ride at the final part of the festive adventure.
How will we raise money for Hospiscare?
We will be donating every penny of the proceeds from our Festive Adventure to Hospiscare as they do such as wonderful job for the local community and losing a loved one at Christmas must be absolutely devastating.
How will the money raised support Hospiscare?
Hospiscare is an independent charity which provides high quality care and support to people with a progressive life-limiting illness and those close to them living in Exeter, East and Mid Devon.
All the money donated to Hosipiscare from our Festive Adventure will allow Hospiscare to continue to be there and support local families who need the specialist end of life care during the most difficult time.
How can I get in contact with you?
Please email festiveadventure@ottergardencentres.com and our team will aim to respond to your query within 48 hours.
Our email is monitored Monday to Friday between 10am and 3pm.
If you have any furthers questions, please email our dedicated Festive Adventure team – festiveadventure@ottergardencentres.com
We kindly ask that you refrain from calling our garden centres directly, as they will not have the specific details regarding this event.
Our dedicated team managing this email is best equipped to assist you, so we appreciate your patience while we work to provide you with the information you need.
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