A five star caravan park is looking forward to welcoming touring caravan and motorhome owners who are keen to explore the wonders of Christmas shopping in Shrewsbury this year.

Oxon Hall Touring Park, located in attractive parkland close to the A5 on the edge of the town, is open all year round and is perfectly placed for exploring Shrewsbury and the Welsh Marches. The park can accommodate 100 touring caravans and has special pitches for recreational vehicles (RVs). 

Shrewsbury’s festive season gets underway on Wednesday, November 18 when the Christmas lights are switched on by stars from Theatre Severn’s pantomime, Dick Whittington and the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Miles Kenny at 6.30pm following a lantern parade. 

From 5pm, bands, choirs and acoustic acts are set to fill the town with seasonal music to mark the start of late night shopping. Santa and his sleigh will also be on Pride Hill from 4.30pm until 8.30pm and Jack the Jester will entertain with his Light Show on High Street, outside the Wheatsheaf, from 5.45-6.15pm and 6.45-7.15pm. 

The evening will also see the return of the Darwin Centre’s spectacular giant reindeer which will have its very own switch-on to coincide with the Square countdown at 6.30pm. 

For the first time, Shrewsbury’s Eat Street will be a part of the festivities and will be held at St Alkmund’s from 4pm until 10pm. In addition, Shrewsbury’s shopping centres will remain open for late night shopping until 8pm and the town’s Market Hall will stay open until 9pm. 

The town has a fantastic selection of shops, ranging from independents to nationally recognised stores. There will be free parking from 4pm at Abbey Foregate, St Julian’s Friars and Frankwell Main Long Stay Car Parks each Wednesday starting from the Christmas Lights Switch-On until December 23.

On November 21 and 22, Shropshire Handmade and Vintage Christmas Fair return to the headquarters of caravan and motorhome dealership, Salop Leisure, at Emstrey, Shrewsbury with even more stalls than ever. 

Fifty exhibitors have been signed up for this popular fair, selling a wide range of handmade and vintage craft and giftware from Shropshire and the borders. The event will also see the launch of Santa’s Grotto at Salop Leisure, which will be open every weekend until Christmas. 

A special festive treat for visitors to the town this year will be 'Shrewsbury Christmas' in the Quarry Park on December 12 and 13. The weekend event is promising a celebration of local crafts and amazing food.

It promises to be a great place to find stunning and individual gifts for family and friends. There will be local artisan foods, from mince pies to fresh free range meats and pies ready for the Christmas feast.

From steaming hot chocolate, mulled wine and cold beer to enjoy on the day, to warming liqueurs, chilled ciders and gift sets galore for the hard to buy for, there will be a massive selection of artisan drinks to enjoy.

Quality handmade crafts from local craftspeople, ranging from decorations and knitted items to fantastic ironwork, will make buying Christmas presents a pleasure. Activities will include an ice rink, Christmas storytelling, craft and food hands-on workshops, nativity, carol singing and even a soup kitchen. 

 Day tickets can be bought in advance at http://www.shrewsburychristmas.co.uk/ at £5 for adults and £10 for families, comprising two adults and up to three children aged from three to 14 years old. The gates open at 10am until 5pm on both days. 

These Christmas events are expected to attract thousands of visitors to the town and Oxon Hall Touring Park is advising caravan and motorhome owners to book their pitches early to avoid disappointment. Contact Tel: 01743 340868 or visit www.morris-leisure.co.uk for more information. 

“Demand for pitches on the park for all the main events in Shrewsbury increases every year, which highlights the town’s growing popularity,” said Edward Goddard, managing director of Shrewsbury-based Morris Leisure, which owns the park.

“The big advantage the park has is that it is just a short walk from the town’s Park and Ride bus service, which allows caravan and motorhome owners to travel into town and have a few drinks with a meal without worrying about driving back.”