Last year we were invited to Kingdom of the Elves at Bluestone and it was the best Christmas day out we have ever been on, so this year my challenge was to find somewhere equally as good, if not better.
I stumbled across LaplandUK on twitter and after visiting their website I knew this was just what we were looking for and booked tickets for 29th November, but the excitement started before then when Isaac, Eliza and Sebastian received some very special invitations in the post.
Before visiting I purchased Elf Jingles (elf currency) for the children to spend in the shop and updated the information for Father Christmas with recent achievements and their likes and dislikes.
LaplandUK is situated in Bracknell Forest, Ascot so about an hour and a half drive from home for us and our time slot was at 10.30 but you are advised to get there half an hour before your booking to get checked in and exchange your currency for Elf Jingles. Probably my one and only disappointment of the day is that they hadn’t made much of the entrance, so although the kids were excited, it could have made a bigger impact. We parked the car and followed the signs to the Enchanted Forest.
As we got closer we found more and more evidence of elves and even found some houses where you could ring the bell and see if anyone would answer.
As soon as you walked in the door, all the staff were in character. There were a couple of elves wandering around, playing with the children to keep them entertained whilst we queued to check-in and collect our Elf Jingles. The check-in Elf, Evergreen, took the time to explain everything to Isaac and Eliza and made them feel relaxed and welcome, before giving them their passports and stickers. We were in the Husky team!
By dividing participants into teams it meant we were in smaller groups of about 30 children (small folk) and their big folk and we lined up for our departure which left bang on 10.30am.
We were ushered into a large marquee which was decorated just like a woodland and met two Elves. Acorn, the Woodland Elf, was snoring when we arrived and seemed surprised to see us at first but was soon divulging lots of Elf secrets before introducing us to his friend Eco, who told us all how elves were made.
We were then taught the magic spell to open the magic doors to the Enchanted Forest and LaplandUK.
As the doors opened we were welcomed in to a winter wonderland of beautiful snowy woodland pathways and our next stop was the Toy Factory, where Isaac, Eliza and Sebby got to help the Elves make Rudolph toys and wooden horses ready to be delivered across the world on Christmas Eve.
What sets LaplandUK apart from other Christmas attractions is the attention to detail everywhere. There were snowshoes and sledges propped up by doorways, the workshop felt like a real one with targets, blueprints and to-do lists on the walls and the elves were entertaining and fun. They even had special doorways for the “small folk” to go through.
After the kids had done their work it was off to meet Mother Christmas in her kitchen to lend a hand at decorating delicious gingerbread.
Once all the gingerbread houses had been decorated we gathered for a traditional story of the Gingerbread with Mother Christmas and all the children sat and listened as quiet a mice, well until they had to shout “Run, run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!”.
Next up is the Elves’ Village, where we got to meet the resident huskies and get our skates on to enjoy the festive Ice Rink.
There was also a post office where we could send letters home and exchange our money for Elf Jingles to spend in the shop and lots of food on offer. We chose to eat in the restaurant and I had a scrummy Christmas Pie, hubby had Swedish meatballs and the kids had chicken strips and fish fingers.
The final part of the experience was a personalised meeting with Father Christmas in his snowy woodland home. For me this was the highlight of the day as not only was Father Christmas authentic, but he talked to the children for about ten minutes. Taking the time to fill in the information forms before our visit really paid off and he congratulated Isaac on his 200m swimming badge, talked to Eliza about dancing and even mentioned starting pre-school to Sebby. There was a photographer taking pictures as the kids chatted meaning we didn’t have to and they each got to check they were on the good list and take away a luxury husky soft toy.
A visit to LaplandUK does come at a cost with tickets available from until 24th December, 2015 and prices starting from £45-£89.50 per person plus booking fee. This experience last 4 hours and I would liken it to a theatre show rather than a stand-alone Father Christmas visit.
The facilities were excellent, with heated toilets and baby change rooms. All the activities including the ice skating were included in the price but lunch and photographs cost extra.
It is an expensive day out but if a visit to Lapland itself is out of your price range then this is a much more reasonable alternative.
I’m so glad I’ve read this. We’ve been wondering whether to go or not but the price really put us off. May try bluestone this year and lapland uk next year x
What an amazing sounding adventure – I have to admit I had no idea Lapland in the UK was a thing till the other day. x
I’ve read a few reviews of Lapland UK, and it really looks like a great day out with the kids. Great photos!
This looks amazing, I would to take Boo to this, at nearly 2 I think she would be a bit too young this year, but maybe next year at 3 she might get more out of it?
Yes, Sebastian is 2.5 and a lot of it went over his head. I would say the ideal age is 4+
It looks amazing and I’d love to take T next Christmas, but it is quite expensive!!
It does sound magical. I think the level of detail must help.
Awww it looks like you had an amazing time! I’m saving my pennies for the real deal next year though 😉 x
Great review! We are going Saturday and its fab to see what its really like. Pickle is 3 so I hope he ‘gets it! ‘ Kaz x
This looks amazing 🙂 I want to go, NOW haha x
My friend took her sons there this year and thoroughly loved it too, after reading your experience I shall definitely look to take ours there next year it looks amazing 🙂
I love how there are so many activities to par-take in, what a great visit x
This looks amazing – it might cost more than some other attractions but it looks like its worth every penny x
Wow that sounds amazing! It is a bit of a trek for us which is a shame but it sounds worth it, what a wonderful experience
Oh wow it looks amazing I often wish we lived closer to places like this, especially as my boys are possibly not going to believe much longer!
I have seen some lovely reviews from here over the past couple of weeks all saying how magical it is, I would love to visit, even though mine are too old I’m sure I could pick up some ideas for Coombe Mill. It is the attention to detail that makes it sound so complete, I don’t think I’ll get Nick building me an ice rink or toy workshop but I’m going to have a go at a woodland walk this Christmas along the new welly walk. Gorgeous photos and your children are so involved with every task you can see how much they are enjoying it all. It does sound like value for money, I think if anything the adults should have the discount on this one! Thank you so much for sharing with me on Country Kids.
Wow I had no idea that this existed. What a magical experience for the little ones. It sounds really authentic and I love the attention to detail that seems to have gone into it – something that a lot of other Christmas ‘experiences’ seem to lack. I bet your children had a wonderful day and will remember it for years to come. I would love to visit here when our daughter is old enough to understand. #whatevertheweather
Aww it looks amazing. I’d love to go there. Want to go xxx
Looks really magical, if quite pricey – seems like they offer a lot for your money tho.
This sounds like an amazing experience! Although it’s not cheap, it seems like very good value when you see what’s included.
You know every time I see a review of this, I am desperate to go. It looks fab. A little far for us but I think it would be worth the trip! #whatevertheweather
I’d be happy to pay a bit more if I knew hte experience was going to be really special, like this one sounds. It’s sad when a trip to see Father Christmas is disappointing!
Great review! We’ve just featured it too – such a magical place, perfect for kids (and fun for grown ups too!)
Wow, it’s very expensive then, but at least it’s cheaper than actual Lapland. It certainly seems to have a lot going on for the cost, I like the idea of it being a moving theatre and having fun things to do like making toys and biscuits. Your kids seem to have had a fab time! Great that you can put the kids interests in before you go, to give santa a heads up on what to talk to them about.
Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
This is literally the most magical, perfect, Christmas event ever! (obviously probably apart from the real Lapland). I am insanely jealous. I would absolutely love to go here. It sounds so incredible and enchanting. A true Christmas day out. I’m definitely going here if it’s still around in two years time. Thank you so much for linking to #whatevertherweather. xx
I never knew such a place existed and it sounds and looks like a fantastic place to visit.
Oh my goodness this sounds absolutely amazing, what a brilliant place to visit and so much to do too. Poppy would love it. We were hoping to see santa in the crystal grotto this year but tickets are sold out again! Bah!
The costumes look great, looks like you had a great day
This sounds fantastic. I think it’s worth paying a bit more for a Father Christmas experience, if you can afford it and you know it’s going to be good. They’re not little for long! Lapland UK does sound lovely – we’ll have to go some time.
This place sounds absolutely magical! I don’t my budget will ever stretch to the actual Lapland so this might be our next best bet! The kids looked like they had a fab time 🙂
This looks like such an amazing day. I love it that Santa remembered everything about the kids and that you got such a long time with him. How wonderful. I’m sure it’s an experience you’ll remember for a long time!