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  1. I really do LOVE a Christmas shop and Haskins in Ferndown definitely has one of the best around.  I take the children every year to look at the decorations and although I want to buy pretty much everything I see I normally let the kiddies choose one small thing each to take home. 
     
    Haskins Afternoon Tea 25
     
    Everywhere you look feels festive and we always spend ages looking at the trees with lights and little light up automated scenes with ice rinks, trains, cosy houses and Santa’s toy factory.
     
    Befunky Haskins Christmas 1

    We had pre booked Afternoon Tea to make a big occasion of it and my tummy couldn’t of been happier.  Our table was beautifully laid in the restaurant with a pretty China tea set and after ordering English Breakfast tea we were presented with a wonderful 3 tier cake stand full of treats.  It was a real feast for the eyes and I had to beat the kids away from the cakes with a promise that if they ate some sandwiches first then they’d be able to tuck in to the sweet stuff after.  There was a variety of sandwiches all lovingly made which included salmon and cucumber and egg mayonnaise, all very tasty and packed with generous fillings. 
     
    Haskins Afternoon Tea 16

    If you love fresh cream then you’ll be in heaven as there was lashings of it on the cakes.  I’d like to say that I didn’t eat much of the cake but I’d be lying and between me and the children we devoured homemade chocolate profiteroles, meringues and mini Victoria sponges.  Of course no cream tea would be complete without the scone and theirs were just perfect with a generous topping of Tiptree jam and Roddas clotted cream. 
     
    Haskins Afternoon Tea 17
     
    Haskins Afternoon Tea 18

    Everything was washed down with several cups of tea and then we went outdoors to the play frame so the kids could burn off some energy while I sat in the Winter sun surrounded by outdoor plants and ornaments.

    When I managed to get them back in we found a festive selfie chair complete with silly props which the kids enjoyed going through while I got some funny pictures.
     
    Haskins Afternoon Tea 8

    We ended up being there for hours and I could tell that my little one was getting tired so we agreed on a couple of pretty tree decorations and some nice Christmas presents and made our way to the tills before something got broken.
     
    Haskins Afternoon Tea 4
     
    Our trip which included Afternoon Tea got the big thumbs up from myself and the kids and having been many other times for just tea and cake I can pretty much guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

    For more information on Afternoon Teas, please visit the Haskins Website.
     
    Good to know…….  

    Haskins require bookings for Afternoon Tea to be made 24 hours in advance. 

    Cakes and sandwich fillings may change with the season.

    A selection of teas are available or Costa coffee if you would prefer.

    There are plenty of highchairs in the restaurant and baby change facilities.

    Haskins has plenty of free parking.
     
     
    Haskins Afternoon Tea 15
     
    Dorsetmums was gifted Afternoon Tea for the purpose of a review however all words and calories consumed are my own.
  2. Father Christmas is back in his twinkly woodland cabin and he’s ready to welcome all the children big and small.

    We were invited to a late afternoon preview and arrived early so we could enjoy the park for a few hours beforehand.   Our children always love running into each zone to see all the different fish and sea creatures but it didn’t take them long to remember the amazing Caribbean Cove play area so we grabbed a cuppa and went in so they could have a good play.

    BeFunky Sealife Christmas

    Before I knew it, it was almost our time to visit Father Christmas and so we trotted off to the Reindeer Stable waiting area which has hay bales to rest your feet, blankets to keep warm and pretty fairy lights up in the rafters.  The kids loved feeding the birds at the Wetlands whilst looking over to the cabin on the other side for signs of any movement. 

    Sealife Christmas 2018 15

    All of a sudden 2 jolly elves started walking towards us and our son Sam was ecstatic.  Watching one of the elves duck down to hide from him was adorable and by the time they got to us he was bouncing around with excitement. 

    Sealife Christmas 2018 12

    The lovely elves greeted us and asked if we had our golden ticket which was given when we came in and then stopped to ask Sam and little Lucy who they had come to see.  We went with them down the path, stopping for a festive family picture with reindeer and a sleigh behind us and then went onto the cabin.

    Sealife Christmas 2018 8

    Before going in, the elves took Sam (Lucy was being too shy and clung to Daddy) over to a large lantern which was set between lots of tall Christmas trees.  They asked Sam what he wanted for Christmas and then the elves told him that they would make a magic wish together.  Sam was completely caught up in the moment and when the magic was complete it started to snow over his head!

    Sealife Christmas 2018 9B

    Sam was then invited to knock on the door and Father Christmas called for him to come in.  I was very pleased to see it was the same Father Christmas as last time as he looks incredibly genuine with his kind manner and real snowy beard.  Sam sat next to Father Christmas whereas Lucy still wasn’t sure so an elf pulled a rocker near and she happily sat there listing to the conversation about presents, chimneys and mince pies.

    Sealife Christmas 2018 10

    We had a nice family photo taken by an elf which we could of purchased from the gift shop if we wished and then the children were given a SEA LIFE present which the kids played with non stop when we left.

    Father Christmas will be at the Weymouth SEA LIFE from Saturday 8 December up until Sunday 23 December.  In addition to the Grotto visit, children will be able to enjoy the Christmas Craft Zone where they can colour in their own Christmas tree decoration, make reindeer food or write to Father Christmas.  For more information, please visit the SEA LIFE Weymouth Website.