Enjoy Festive Magic at Butser with the Deer Queen and Holly King!
Children £11.50 | Adults £19.50 | Family £52.50
Embark on “Midwinter’s Magical Quest” in the heart of Hampshire and immerse yourself in ancient winter traditions brought to life! Join us on a heart-warming adventure through time as we celebrate the rich heritage of winter customs, long before the rise of modern holidays.
Meet captivating characters from history and folklore - Felix the cheeky slave celebrating Saturnalia, the majestic Holly King, and the brave Deer Queen. Take part in creating special festive crafts and gather around the fire in a cosy roundhouse!
Whether you celebrate Yule, Christmas, Winter Solstice, or something else, our magical quest offers an alternative family day out full of festive joy. Escape the hustle and bustle to join a vibrant Roman Saturnalia celebration, hear stories in the enchanting Realm of Winter Wishes, and visit the Deer Queen’s Grotto to uncover timeless Christmas traditions and folklore.
“Midwinter’s Magical Quest” is an inclusive celebration of the winter season - perfect for families seeking a unique and unforgettable experience!
About this festive family event
A festive family event celebrating midwinter, seasonal traditions and the return of the light.
Meet festive characters, including the much-loved Holly King and Deer Queen!
Enjoy creative make-and-take activities in each house.
Experience festive storytelling.
A magical Midwinter adventure for all ages, filled with crafts, stories and seasonal traditions!
This event takes inspiration from traditional British folklore surrounding winter, as well as ancient and Early Medieval celebrations.
Included in your ticket
Enjoy exclusive winter entry to Butser Ancient Farm for a magical family trail! Meet the Holly King and Deer Queen, celebrate Saturnalia and discover winter folklore with festive children’s make and-take activities.
USEFUL INFORMATION: Please wrap up warm with sensible footwear as it can be chilly at the farm in Winter.
TIMINGS: The farm is open from 10 am to 3 pm, with last entry at 1:30 pm. There are no timed entry slots for Midwinter’s Quest, which takes around 2 hours on average.
The Quest is designed to be completed once per ticket. Once you’ve reached the end of the trail, you won’t be able to go back and complete it again, so make sure to enjoy each part of the adventure along the way!
LAST ENTRY: Last entry will be 1:30 pm.
CARERS: If you need a carer, you’re entitled to a free adult ticket to cover them. Please book your other ticket(s) as normal, and then email admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk with your order number and one of the following: evidence of Middle or Higher rate DLA for care and/or mobility; PIP receipt; Access Card +1; evidence of Armed Forces Independent Payment or War Disablement Pension; D/deaf or blind registration; evidence of carer registration; a medical professional’s letter.
SPECIAL EVENT: This festive event is not included as general admission for our annual pass holders.
FIRES: Please note there will be open fires in the houses during this event. Please supervise children carefully.
ANIMALS: Please do not feed the farm animals unless using animal food purchased specifically on site.
DOGS: Well-behaved dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times.
REFUNDS: We cannot offer any refunds on tickets unless we at Butser Ancient Farm need to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances.
Deer Queen image courtesy of Russell Sach. Holly King image courtesy of Dave Fletcher.