FATHER Christmas will be arriving via a surprise means of transport at a multi-award-winning farm shop in Somerset in time for his first grotto in December (December 10, 2023).
Santa will pull-up outside Rumwell Farm Shop on December 10 at 9.30am to meet children waiting to welcome him before taking up residence in his cosy cabin for the season.
Anne Mitchell, Partner at the farm shop, located just off the M5 on the A38 between Taunton and Wellington, said: “Father Christmas has told us that he’ll be resting the reindeer on December 10 to ensure they are fit and ready to travel the world over and deliver presents for children on Christmas Eve, which is why he has decided to pay a visit to us on a surprise mode of transport to meet all the boys and girls who have been nice this year.
“What vehicle he’ll arrive on will be kept top secret until the day. It’s very exciting and we’re sure Santa will enjoy his trip and that all the children who see him arrive here with us on December 10 will find it very exciting. It’s free to attend and we’d like a big crowd to come along to greet him. While everyone is waiting, we’ll have Christmas carols and tunes playing outside that they can sing-along to.
“It promises to be a fun morning out for all the family. Once he’s arrived, Santa will spend some time chatting with the crowds and his friendly elves will be handing out sweets.
“We hope lots of people turn out to greet Father Christmas and join us as we start our countdown to Christmas in earnest. Anyone who would like to make ‘welcome’ banners and flags to greet Santa is very welcome to do so.
“Father Christmas’s arrival is free for anyone who wishes to come along and watch. Our café will be open as normal on the day serving breakfasts and other refreshments, and our shop will also be open for anyone wishing to shop on the day.”
After his arrival, Father Christmas will take up residence in his cosy cabin grotto on Sunday, December 10, after his arrival, from 10am-4pm. Then on Sunday, December 17, 9am-4pm and Tuesday, December 19, 9am-5pm and Thursday, December 21, 9am-5pm.
Anne added: “With the help of his trusty band of elves, he’ll wish everyone a merry Christmas and give each child a wrapped, age-appropriate gift to take home.
“Tickets cost £13.95 per child and can be purchased here. Booking is essential and must be made via our website and we can only allow a maximum of four children with an appropriate adult, or two.”
Rumwell Farm Shop is an independent, family-run, award-winning business owned by the Mitchell family. It was originally a potato store, when David and Anne Mitchell began selling their potatoes and free-range eggs at the gate more than 25 years ago.
Due to customer demand, the range of products soon increased, and the Farm Shop grew into the place it is today. David and Anne’s sons, James and Jack, are now also involved in the business, as well as their wives, Sophie and Donna.
The Shop has a traditional Butchery counter selling its home-reared and free-range pork and Rumwell Angus beef. Also onsite is the new, purpose-built Rumwell Orchard events space, a Delicatessen, Bakery, Jam Kitchen, Food Hall, Wine Cellar, Gluten Free Kitchen, Food To Go service and Gift Room.
In 2023, the farm shop picked-up Taste of the West Awards for its homemade products including six category Golds for its bakery-made sourdough loaf and rock cakes, its Butchery beef burgers – featuring its own farm Angus beef – and its lamb burgers.
The team also won gold for its gluten free bread, baked inhouse in its bespoke GF Kitchen, and its Countryman’s Pickle, made by its onsite Jam Kitchen team. It was commended for a further two products – the Bakery’s Biscoff doughnut and the Deli’s chilli and spring onion Scotch egg, using eggs laid by its farm hens.
To add to this, Rumwell Farm Shop received a prestigious Gold Award in the Farm Shop and category at the Taste of the West Awards.
It was then named ‘Champion’ Best Farm Shop at the south west Taste of the West finals in November 2023 and also scooped the top prize for its instore made Butchery beef burgers, using beef from its farm.
It was also a finalist in the Large Farm Shop of the Year category in the 2023 national Farm Retail Awards and won nine Taste of the West Golds in 2022 for its Shop, Café and products too. Its dry cured back bacon was given the title of overall Champion Bacon in the 2022 Taste of the West Awards as well.
The food prepared in the Café kitchen is sourced from the Farm Shop, the Mitchell family farm, which is just four miles away, and other regional suppliers. The Café kitchen has Coeliac UK’s Gluten Free accreditation.
Father Christmas will be arriving at Rumwell Farm Shop on Sunday, December 10 at 9.30am. He will then be in his grotto from 10am until 4pm and then on Sunday, December 17, 9am-4pm and Tuesday, December 19, 9am-5pm & Thursday, December 21, 9am-5pm.
For more information, please call Rumwell Farm Shop on 01823 461599 or visit www.rumwellfarmshop.com.
