Big South Christmas 2024
27 people attending
38 places left
Big South Christmas returns to Devizes for 2024
Devizes is a pretty medieval market town located in the centre of Wiltshire with direct coach services available from London, and local bus connections from stations in Swindon, Salisbury and others (check the detailed location section for more information).
The Kennet & Avon canal is a couple of hundred meters away from our site, the Devizes White Horse is a couple of miles outside of the town, and locations such as Avebury and Salisbury Plain are a short drive away, so there are lots of options for walking and cycling over the weekend. The town also boasts some great attractions such as the Wadsworth Brewery, Wiltshire Museum (archaeology and natural history) or treasure hunts around the town. We'll share the details of the specific activities our volunteer leaders have arranged nearer the time, but of course you are always welcome to do your own thing.
The Accommodation
Our amazing accommodation for the weekend has continued to be refurbished during Covid and now OutdoorLads returns to celebrate Christmas 2024 in style (check the pictures). We'll have full use of the main building, with multiple areas to relax, catch up with your OutdoorLads friends or make new ones!
Itinerary
The following is all subject to change but should give you and idea of what to expect if this is your first Big South Christmas.
Friday
You'll be able to arrive at the site from around 4pm on the Friday, and find the bed you've reserved (more details on this closer to the time). Once settled in, there is plenty of room to relax in the lounge or library, with hot drinks available throughout the weekend. If your preference is for an alcoholic tipple you'll need to bring these yourself.
Friday evening will be the traditional OutdoorLads buffet. Bring along something to feed one or two people, and home-cooked is always preferred.
Once we've had a briefing over the plans for the weekend, we'll be looking for some volunteers to tidy up the kitchen and dining room, whilst the others can head back to relax in the lounge and library, or perhaps enjoy some board games in the dedicated board games lounge (don't forget to bring your favourites).
Saturday
After breakfast on Saturday morning you'll head out on your choice of activity (we'll list these out below as they are confirmed), returning to our accommodation early afternoon. This means you will likely need a packed lunch that you will need to bring yourself.
For those of you that like your Parkrun on a Saturday morning, we'll have a few people heading over together and day activities are timed to make sure you can take part in those as well.
Whilst our volunteers are busy in the kitchen there is a chance to enjoy some festive favourites in the lounge; we're hoping to give you a chance to sing along to some Christmas carols with our very own singer/pianist and a visit from Santa and his elves to hand out the presents (part of our Secret Santa with more details nearer the time).
Of course next comes the Christmas dinner. Glenn will have been slaving over the hot stove for several hours and you can expect a starter, traditional Christmas roast with a choice of meats, vegan option and all the trimmings followed by dessert.
Now it's time to call on those volunteers again to clear up and convert the dining room into a more suitable place to spin some tracks to get your tinsel moving! Of course for those too full to move the lounge and library will be a quieter location to chill out in, and the board games lounge is likely to be in full swing again.
Sunday
Start the day with breakfast and as much coffee as needed to recover from the night before, and then we'll spend an hour or so tidying up the venue and leaving it as clean, or even cleaner than we found it.
Our plan is to offer a short walk or cultural event on the Sunday for those that are not in a hurry to leave, but this is subject to volunteers stepping up to lead this for you!
Good to Know....
Dogs
Sorry, this event is not suitable for dogs. Assistance animals are welcome, but please let us know at the time of booking if you will be bringing an assistance dog.
Car Sharing
Christmas is the time for sharing, so if driving to the event please consider offering spare seats to other members heading the same way. Sign Up Here!
Want to Get Out More?
To be informed of all our South West events please click on this Telegram link http://outdoorlads.events/SouthWestNotifications
OutdoorLads Foundation
Fancy coming along but having a difficult time of it (for whatever reason), and/or finding it hard to justify the expense? Apply for a place on this event through the OutdoorLads Foundation! Nobody apart from staff members will know and we don't need lots of financial info from you either. To apply through the Foundation, you'll need to complete a very short form, which can be found along with more information here.
Want to Pay By Instalments?
You can arrange to pay in instalments if that helps. Please contact the office on support@outdoorlads.com who will help you to secure a place and set up paying in instalments. The event must be fully paid up a week before the event takes place.
IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement
You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.
Images: Big thanks to Colin, Glenn and James (ODL Leaders) for the event photos, and to Braeside Education Centre for the images of the site.
What to bring
Below you'll find the normal list of things for a hostel or day activity but since this is a Christmas Special there are a few extra things to remember....
CHRISTMAS PACKING LIST
SECRET SANTA - Please bring a wrapped present to add to Santa's sack. Budget is £5 to £10 and remember any attendee may end up with your gift so nothing too personal.
CHRISTMAS DECORATION - Help make the hostel feel extra special, a set of lights or some tinsel soon brightens up those dark corners
CHRISTMAS JUMPER - Its another of those traditions that we all wear one for dinner so rummage in the cupboard and see who has the worst!
HOSTEL LIST
Bedding - TO BE CONFIRMED
Wine Glass: If you enjoy a glass of wine you might be disappointed to find none in the hostel.
Saturday Packed Lunch: You may end up hungry on a walk without one!
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Change of Clothes: You probably don't want to spend all weekend in your hiking socks.
Pyjamas: Even if you prefer to sleep naked, remember you will be sharing a room and the bathrooms are not ensuite, you'll need to be able to get to and from these.
Towel & Wash-kit: I'm hoping you will be using the shower at least once over the weekend.
Slippers: Its nice to have something to wear around the hostel
Board/Card Games: Completely optional but we may not have your favourite (unless its UNO)
DAY ACTIVTIES
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, if your taking the more gentle activities you may get away with trainers.
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Food & drink
Friday night: We will be doing the traditional ODL buffet. Everyone is asked to bring something for the buffet, enough to feed 1 to 2 people. Home cooked is always nice but store purchases are just as good!
Saturday breakfast: Included in the event fee.
Saturday lunch: Please bring a packed lunch.
Saturday dinner: Our famous OutdoorLads Christmas dinner.
Sunday breakfast: Included in the event fee,
Tea, coffee, squash & hot chocolate: Included in the event fee and available throughout the weekend.
Other drinks: You will need to bring any other drinks you might want for the weekend.