Church Farm in Stow Bardolph brings the nativity to life at Christmas for 20th year

The nativity has come to life at a Stow Bardolph farm - complete with animals, actors, and even Santa himself.

Church Farm's real-life nativity scene is believed to be the only one of its kind in the area, offering a whole-day experience of festive fun for the whole family.

It opened back in 2004 - and now the popular festivities have returned once again for their 20th year.

The popular venue brings to life a Bethlehem nativity with a barn full of donkeys, pigs and piglets, goats, chickens, sheep and shepherds with an ‘inn’ in the corner which is home to smaller animals such as guinea pigs.

We took a look around the farm to explore one of West Norfolk’s most unique Christmas experiences…

SANTA EXPERIENCE

Visitors wishing to meet Santa can enjoy a full-day experience instead of just a quick chat before heading home.

Parents can pay extra on top of the normal admission for a present from Father Christmas for their little ones – and this also allows entry into the grotto and the elves’ workshop.

There is a non-queuing system where visitors hand in their tickets but can stay entertained elsewhere while waiting to be called.

Even if Santa is very busy with lots of children to see, the farm’s petting manager Daniel Holliday says there is never a rush, making sure everyone's experience is magical.

“We try to encourage people to take their time coming in as it is nice to take it all in,” he says.

After they have received a present, those who purchase a Santa ticket can spend a short speaking to him and take plenty of pictures free of charge.

Daniel adds: “We encourage them to take as many photos as they want and chat with him about anything they want to.”

The farm even offers a personalised experience for children, so if parents want to give Santa a special message they can.

“We try not to break character very much as elves - we try to make it as fun and silly as possible really,” Daniel says.

Staff often receive messages to make the experience more personal. For example, toddlers can be told elves have been sent to take their dummy away in a bid to break the habit of wearing it.

Meanwhile, one young girl whose mother died received a touching message from Father Christmas telling her that he knows she is in heaven.

“If they need it to be a personalised experience then we are happy to pass on those messages,” Daniel says.

“The Father Christmases we have are very good at what they do.”

ELF ENCOUNTER

The elves at the farm are full of joy and interact with children, making sure they have a great time - and visitors can always expect to hear lots of jokes.

Once the children have seen Santa, they exit the grotto into the elves’ workshop, where they meet Glenda.

Elf Glenda interacts with youngsters, plays with toys and puts out reindeer food - while she also blows lots of bubbles for that extra bit of festive magic.

Kids are able to post letters to Santa in a special elf post box that Glenda reads every Christmas day.

This year, Church Farm's chosen charity is the East Anglia's Children's Hospices, with a donation box on the elves' work counter for peopleto add to.

FESTIVE FUN AROUND THE FARM

Families can join in with fun throughout the day, with activities taking place nearly every half an hour on a normal admission ticket - which includes access to the nativity as well.

“There is something to do constantly,” Daniel says.

“You don't just come here to see Santa - you can have a whole day at the farm. All the animals are still here.”

Activities to keep youngsters occupied include petting the animals, dancing under the snow every hour on the hour, colouring, and festive puzzles.

They can get up close and personal with the animals in the nativity, as well as smaller ones such as rats, guinea pigs and rabbits.

Whether the children have already written their letter to Santa or not, they will be able to write another while either waiting to see the big man himself or during their walk around the nativity or during a game of elf snap.

Santa’s sleigh can be found in the main barn, where the little ones and those young at heart can sit in it for free for more photo opportunities.

And, if guests are lucky, they may get to hear an elf-ellent Christmas story at 12pm which staff read every year, detailing their adventure with Father Christmas.

Each day there are four games to take part in - ‘snowball crazy’, ‘guess the next line of the Christmas song’, Christmas bingo and present stacking. All take place from 11am until 4pm so people can make the most of their day out to the farm.

Among the animals is a mini festive market selling gifts and hot treats.

Even if you have already booked a ticket and the weather is not great, there is still a lot to do - not least an indoor play area.

Church Farm will be closed on Christmas Eve for a free crib service which normally has around 400 in attendance, and will also be shut on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

“It is a nice experience to be able to do what we do,” Daniel says.