4 December, 2017
Gower Fresh Christmas Trees
It’s that time of year when everybody is getting into the Christmas spirit and the decorations are starting to go up (although some people have already had theirs up for well over a week!) Poundffald Farm in Three Crosses (SA4 3PB) is the perfect place to get a tree and not just any tree, but an award winning tree! The farm is this years official supplier to 10 Downing Street after owner Robert Morgan won the prestigious ‘British Christmas Tree Grower of the Year’ award. One of his trees can be seen outside Number 10, the first Welsh grown tree to appear there! Robert planted his first tree in the fields of Three Crosses in 1997 after seeing a gap in the market and 20 years on, after much blood, sweat and tears, there are now 500,000 trees growing there!
At Poundffald Farm there are two sites where you can purchase a tree. There’s a top site, where as well as purchasing a tree, you can visit the Winter Wonderland attraction and see Santa in his Grotto. Or there’s a bottom site, where parking is easier, if you only want to get a tree. There are four varieties of tree available; Fraser Fir, Korean Fir, Norway Spruce or Nordman Fir. Trees are freshly cut each day and there is a huge variety, ranging from 3 ft to over 20 ft. Staff will net and load trees into your vehicles or delivery can be arranged. There is also the option of choosing your own tree from several of the fields. This option is only available during daylight hours and wellies are recommended! On weekends you can take a trip on a tractor trailer to some of the less accessible fields to pick your own. Again, staff will cut, net and load the trees into vehicles.
I’ve had a tree from Poundffald Farm each Christmas for the past 10 years or so. I can highly recommend them. A lot of work goes into growing these trees. All year round they are pruned and shaped and kept free of pests, and it really does show in the final product. On average, a 7 ft tree will have taken 12 years to nurture from seed! I usually go for the Nordman Fir, which is one of the more expensive trees, but I love the dark, glossy, green needles and perfect pyramid shape. I keep the tree inside the house for at least a month each year and there has been very little needle drop, even when I’ve moved the tree when taking the trimmings down.
Another reason to visit Poundffald Farm, is to marvel at the Winter Wonderland attraction. It is fantastic! Each year it is changed around and there are always new additions! There’s everything from dancing Snowmen and Reindeers, singing trees, a Santa Band, Polar Bears, Penguins, Elves, a Nativity scene and characters from popular films such as Frozen, the Grinch and the Snowman. You can write a letter to Santa or have a photograph sitting in his sleigh. There are real Reindeer from the Farm’s own herd of 30, as well as piglets. It even snows on demand! It really is magical! It does get very busy on weekends and there is the option to pre book tickets, which you would be highly recommended to do if planning to visit at peak times. Entrance fees are £4 per Adult, £9 per Child (this includes a gift from Santa) or £22 for a Family Ticket (” Adults & 2 Children).
This year Gower Fresh Christmas Trees opened on November the 16th and will operate all the way up until 3pm on Christmas Eve. General opening times are 9:30am until 7pm Monday to Friday and 9:30am until 5pm at weekends.
There is also a Christmas Shop on site, selling a wide array of decorations, accessories and gifts. You can get everything from baubles and lights to novelty hats and reindeer food! They also sell Christmas Tree stands and beautiful homemade Wreaths. There are also refreshments available to buy, including hot drinks, cookies, candy floss, hot dogs, mulled wine and ale. You could quite easily spend a couple of hours at the Farm!
If you do fancy an award winning tree, they are also available to buy at Margam Country Park, Penllergaer Woods and Parc Trostre among other places.
Website: Swansea-winter-wonderland,co,uk
Telephone number: 01792 872094
Facebook: Gower Fresh Christmas Trees
Instagram: gowerfreshchristmas