As Christmas experiences go you would be hard pushed to find a more special one than this. A visit to LaplandUK will transport you to an immersive festive world like no other – and you won’t have to jet off to the North Pole, either, as the site is actually in Berkshire.
Toy-making workshops, gingerbread decorating with Mother Christmas, ice-skating and more are all on offer in a stunning winter wonderland setting. Time your visit towards the end of the day, when the colourful fairy lights make it all the more enchanting. The magic will start before you arrive, with each child receiving a special wax-sealed boxed invitation from Santa.
LaplandUK is a favourite with celebrities and royalty, too. The Beckhams, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Sir Elton John, Tom Hardy, Holly Willoughby, Idris Elba, Peter Andre and Liv Tyler have all paid a visit.
A warm welcome
On arrival in LaplandUK, all visitors – “big folk” and their “small folk” – will be led by friendly elves through an enchanted fir-tree forest into the mystical elven world.
Here, woodland aromas fill the air and candlelit lanterns guide you to the departures area for Lapland. Pick up a copy of The Lapland Times newspaper and enjoy an elven hot chocolate while waiting for your departure time. Try to arrive 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled time slot to avoid having to rush.
After being led to the check-in desk at Pathway Control, small folk will be presented with their elf passports. Here, they can also collect their elf currency – Lapland jingles – which can be preordered when buying tickets. You’ll be advised to keep your passports safe, as they will be stamped at each point of your journey through LaplandUK, which takes about four hours in all.
Be prepared for some audience participation, too, as animated woodland characters sing to get you into the Christmas spirit while telling you all about the adventures to come.
You’ll then walk along snow-covered pathways into an all-singing, all-dancing show where, surrounded by giant oak trees and wooden toadstools, you will hear the tale of Father Christmas and LaplandUK.
This is also where you’ll be allocated to your group, either Team Husky or Team Reindeer, before the doors creak open to reveal the snow-covered wonderland where Father Christmas lives.
Don’t forget to wrap up warmly for your visit, as some of your journey will take you outdoors too.
Child’s play
Your first stop is the toy workshop where elves Whittle, Conker and Wish will seat you at wooden tables where you’ll learn the secret of bringing toys to life. The silliest and clumsiest elf, Conker, will have you in hysterics as he tries to impress Father Christmas in order to earn himself his honorary elf bell. Remember to practise your elf wave and your “cheery hi” as everyone in this land will expect you to greet them this way.
With countdown to Christmas charts and toys’ lists lining the walls, children will be put to work straight away building a soft toy bunny – as if they were in a real toy factory. They’ll each be told to make a wish as they place a small red heart inside the bunny before handing it back to the elves. Little do the youngsters know that their parents will be secretly given the bunnies at the end of the day as a surprise gift for them to present on Christmas Day.
The next stop is Mother Christmas’ kitchen where the kids will be given a tray with a gingerbread man, a pot of icing and some jelly tots to decorate them with while Mother Christmas reads the story The Tale Of Wish.
You will also find jam recipes on the walls and wooden spoons that magically stir themselves.
Village delights
Halfway through your visit you will arrive at the Narnia-like elven village. There’s a chance to meet huskies – but make sure to check the times beforehand as the dogs only visit at certain points in the day.
You can also ice-skate on the village pond amid the Christmas trees and fairy lights – there are clip-on skates that go over normal shoes for little ones, and penguin aids to save any wobbles. Don’t forget to visit the sweet shop, toy shop and the store that sells LaplandUK baubles.
Children can write letters to Father Christmas in Elva’s Elven Post Office, too. They will be given a special envelope and stamp to post them in the red letter box outside.
But you can write your letters before you visit and take them with you on the day so you’ll have more time to soak up the magical atmosphere of the village.
Festive food and drink
You certainly won’t go hungry at LaplandUK – there are food and hot drink stations everywhere and refreshments are also available in the Nordic-inspired elven village. Pumpernickel’s restaurant offers a range of options, including a huge selection of pizzas, burgers, chips and mac and cheese. It’s also suitable for people with allergies or who have a gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian diet.
The really magical bit…
While you wait to meet the big man, elves will keep you entertained with magic tricks. Keep an eye on your time slot – you’ll find it on the back of your passport – and parents will also receive a text message reminder. The friendly elves will then lead you past their mystical houses, which have their names displayed on the doorways. Further into the forest you will meet Rudolf, fast asleep in his shed, his red nose glowing, and look out for the reindeers’ reins all hung up and ready for their special trip on Christmas Eve.
After passing Father Christmas’ magical sleigh in Ambolt’s forge, the trail ends at the official waiting area, Compass’ Lobby. An elf will ask parents some facts about their children – make these as personal as possible and see your kids’ faces light up when they chat to Santa.
You’ll then be taken into Father Christmas’ wooden cabin. He’ll make the children feel very much at ease as he shows them his Good List with their names on it. He’ll also present them with a toy husky from his sack, and their own elf bell in a nod to their toy-making skills.
HOW TO BOOK
Booking for LaplandUK 2024 must be made through its official website and tickets will go on sale in March 2024.
When booking, you can also buy Lapland jingles elf currency to spend during the day. Tickets for LaplandUK range from £59 to £139, depending on which day of the week and time you go. A booking fee will be added at the checkout.
Book through the LaplandUK website at portal.laplanduk.co.uk.
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