THERE’S a lesser-known festive attraction in the UK that has its very own Elf Academy, sleigh rides, and a woodland village where guests can meet Santa.
Located in Towthrope just outside of York, Piglets Adventure Farm runs seasonal activities throughout the year, but it truly comes into its own in December.
According to its website, Piglets Adventure Farm turns into an “unforgettable Christmas adventure” in November and December.
At the start of the attraction, visitors will be asked to check in to their “flight” with Elf Airlines where passengers will have their passports stamped.
Following an “Elf and Safety” training video, passengers will board a sleigh that will take them to Santa’s village.
On the sleigh ride, families will journey through “snowy trees” and a “winter woodland” before being greeted by Santa’s Chief Elf inside his village.
The Chief Elf will guide families straight to Santa’s grotto, where they’ll meet the big man himself.
Inside the grotto, Santa will give young visitors a key, which allows children into his toyshop where they can pick out their own gift.
The key will also grant visitors access to other festive delights, including the Elf Academy Show – a live show where the audience learns what it’s like to be one of Santa’s helpers.
At Piglets Adventure Farm, visitors will also be able to make reindeer food for Rudolph and his friends.
Other attractions include Mrs Claus’s Sweetshop, an adventure play area, and the Wishing Tree.
Visitors will also be able to write their Christmas wishes on a postcard and send it to the North Pole in the farm’s Polar Post Office.
There are also some freebies for adults too, including a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine.
The festive attraction opened in November, and it will run until December 24, 2023.
Entry tickets start from £14.95 per person but can cost up to £24.95, and slots are still available throughout December.
Piglets Adventure Farm has received positive reviews on TripAdvisor with a 4.5/5 star rating from nearly 1,000 reviews.
Last month, one person wrote “We came for the seasonal sleigh ride and Santa visit, and what a great place it is.
“Everyone was so friendly and accommodating, and they’ve definitely gone all out for the Christmas experience.”
Another added: “We have visited Piglets every year since my little one was born, and it gets better and better each year.”
A third said: “The jolly and welcoming army of worker elves made it so special.
“There was a hands-on dimension to all this – from kids’ passports being issued and stamped, to keys being given to individual children to enter Santa’s grotto, questions from Santa himself, and stickers available too.”
Someone else added: “Me and my Husband took our two Son’s where we all had a fantastic and magical time, it was amazing.”
Piglets Adventure Farm runs seasonal events throughout the year, including a great Easter egg hunt in the spring and a dinosaur maze in the summer.
Meanwhile, there’s a village in Europe where it’s Christmas every day – and flights to get there start from just £50 for a one-way ticket.
Located in Rovaniemi in northern Finland, the Santa Claus Village is festive all year, with a Christmas Post Office, the chance to meet Father Christmas, and a reindeer farm.
We’ve rounded up the unique places to meet Father Christmas in the UK this December.
From reindeer lodges to castles and secret log cabins, there’s a magical place for everyone – and families can still book tickets.
Here are the 25 best ice rinks to visit in London and the South East.
And, these are the best Christmas markets to visit in the UK.
