SANTA and his helper elves have visited the Friends of St Ives at the country estate's Visitor Centre.
Volunteers at the attraction near Harden were joined by members of the "Get Out More" social enterprise, who shrugged off the winter drizzle to set up a fire and craft tables.
The gathering on December 8 included a chance for children to make Christmas decorations out of some of the natural materials found in St Ives. The youngsters also enjoyed toasted chestnuts.
Friends of St Ives chairman Pam Laking said: "After chatting to Santa, every child received a present, while the adults had warm spiced drinks, mince pies and roast chestnuts.
"We toasted crumpets on the roaring fire in the range and the children made more Christmas decorations inside the Visitor Centre.
"Thank you to all the people who bravely visited St Ives on our Santa Day in such unpleasant weather and made the event such a success."
Get Out More runs Forest School sessions designed to inspire children and adults to develop new skills in outdoor environments, through activities such as woodland games, art, den building and campfires.
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