Reindeer in Cornwall: When and Where to See Them
With Christmas fast approaching, many children are starting to dream about Santa Claus and his reindeer visiting them while they’re asleep on Christmas Eve. Excitement is certainly building, but it can feel like a long wait for some!
Luckily there’s a way to meet Santa and his wonderful reindeer in the lead-up to Christmas…They’ll be at Cornwall Christmas Market from Friday 13th December – Sunday 15th December making Christmas dreams come true!
Don’t miss this rare chance to spend time with Santa and his loyal companions – we’re thrilled to welcome them to Cornwall!
Reindeer in Cornwall
Over 800 years ago, reindeer were native to Great Britain and it was a usual sight to see them roaming freely in places like Scotland. The effects of climate change, however, made their numbers dwindle.
Nowadays, reindeer are found in the Arctic Tundra and the forests of Greenland, Scandinavia, Russia, Alaska, and Canada. They’re extremely hardy creatures and right at home in places like the snowy North Pole where they share a home with Santa!
Of course, you don’t come across reindeer in Cornwall very often, so we’re honoured to welcome these special visitors to Cornwall Christmas Market! For the whole of our 3-day event, you’ll find them in their spacious indoor enclosure close to Santa Claus, enjoying a bite to eat and some quiet time before Christmas Eve!
This is a magical opportunity to catch a glimpse of these beautiful animals, up close. And whatever your age, you’re bound to be fascinated by them!
10 Fun facts about reindeer
Ahead of your visit, we thought you might like a few interesting facts about Santa’s companions:
- Reindeer are the only deer species in the world where females have antlers too!
- Large male reindeer can grow up to 3.9 feet (1.2m) tall (measured from the ground to their shoulder.)
- Reindeer are fantastic swimmers who swim three times faster than the average human.
- Male antlers can grow up to 1.4m long!
- Reindeer have deeply cloven hooves that are perfectly suited to snow. As their hooves are divided into two, they spread on the snow and help distribute the reindeer’s weight. Clever!
- In summertime, reindeer eat grass, leaves, and mushrooms.
- In wintertime, reindeer mainly eat lichen which they pull from under the snow. This is high in vitamins and protein, and is also known as ‘reindeer moss!’ (Oh and of course they eat lots of carrots too!)
- Reindeer are the only mammals that can see ultraviolet light.
- Reindeer fur changes colour from brown in the summertime to a whitish shade in wintertime.
- They have hollow fur to trap heat and keep themselves warm. This is made up of a thick wooly undercoat and a top layer of longer hairs.
Your reindeer encounter
Meeting Santa’s reindeer is a truly magical experience, especially for children dreaming of Santa’s sleigh! To make the most of it, remember that reindeer are gentle yet naturally timid animals, so it’s important to give them plenty of space and keep voices soft.
Stand back and take in their soft fur, amazing hooves, and kind eyes. Maybe you can imagine them pulling Santa’s sleigh through the night sky too!
How Santa’s reindeer will be cared for
At Cornwall Christmas Market, the welfare of Santa’s reindeer is very important to us. So, while Santa is busy meeting visitors, an experienced team will be on-site caring for his furry friends.
Throughout the event, the reindeer will be in a spacious and comfortable indoor enclosure, giving them plenty of room to rest, eat, and relax. Their living space will be kept clean and regularly monitored by their handlers, making sure they’re safe, happy, and calm.
When to see reindeer in Cornwall
Santa and his reindeer will be at Cornwall Christmas Market, held at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, on the following dates:
Friday 13th December 2024 5.30 pm – 9 pm
Saturday 14th December 2024 10 am – 8.30 pm
Sunday 15th December 2024 10 am – 4 pm
The countdown to Cornwall Christmas Market has begun!
Book your Tickets to meet Santa Claus and his amazing reindeer in Cornwall.