The former Whitehall Garden Centre in Whitchurch is set to bring back its much-loved Christmas shop and dazzling displays for 2025, this time under new ownership by Otter Garden Centres. Staff are excited to unveil “Whitehall Christmas with an Otter twist,” promising the same festive grandeur with a fresh new flair.
The celebrations will launch on the evening of October 22, from 3 to 7 pm, welcoming customers with free admission. Visitors arriving just after 3 pm will receive a complimentary drink to kickstart the festive spirit, while the garden centre’s restaurant will remain open until 6 pm serving a variety of hot and cold meals.
This garden centre has long been a firm favourite among locals and visitors from afar, known for its spectacular Christmas displays and welcoming atmosphere.
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Manager Adele Rodgers, who has worked at the site for 12 years and is an expert on its festive offerings, shared insights about the transition. “We’re still trading as Otter, but the stock arriving this year is actually what Whitehall had ordered. So, it’s going to be just as big, but with a little twist,” she explained.
One notable change this year is how the Christmas shop is being unveiled. Traditionally, Adele and her team would spend months preparing behind the scenes, keeping everything a secret until the grand reveal. This year, portions of the Christmas merchandise are already available for browsing, opened department by department—a shift from the usual all-at-once unveiling.
The iconic display is known for its sheer scale and detail. Last year, visitors encountered walls stretching 8 feet high, floor-to-ceiling decorations arranged by theme, a festive walkway, a giant Santa, a showcase of Lemax villages, soft toys, illuminations, trees, woodland scenes, and even singing reindeer.
Creating such an immersive festive experience required teamwork between the Whitchurch and Lacock Whitehall crews who carefully built sets, positioned decorations, and crafted magical backdrops throughout the retail space.
The takeover by Otter Garden Centres was revealed in July, marking the expansion of Otter’s network to eight sites. The acquisition included the Whitchurch and Woodborough Garden Centres, with Woodborough joining Otter in August.
Shoppers can look forward to the exciting return of this much-anticipated Christmas destination, blending traditional charm with new elements to celebrate the season.