THERE is a magical place where lights twinkle in snow-capped trees and Father Christmas makes children’s wishes come true with the help of his industrious Elves.
But it is not to be found in the Arctic circle…but sandwiched between the M3 and M4 motorways near Bracknell.
Lapland UK promises to transport children on a magical Christmas adventure without need of a plane or even flying sleigh.
Beloved by celebs like Holly Willoughby and Elton John, and with the very cheapest ticket prices starting at a whopping £59 per person (with adults also paying for a ticket), Lapland UK is perhaps Britain’s poshest Christmas grotto.
But could a visit to Santa ever be worth such a hefty price tag?
Tickets go on sale as early as MARCH, with frenzied parents waiting it out in the kind of online queues you would would expect for the Glastonbury festival or an Oasis comeback gig.
Intrigued by the hype and took my kids Henry, 11, Nicholas,7 and Estella, 3 along to see what the fuss was about.
Whilst I can’t dispute that this is pricey, this Elven world certainly delivers in spades when it comes to Christmas memory making magic.
The adventure starts before you even arrive as children are sent delightful letters inviting them to Lapland complete with wax seal.
And when my three ‘small folk’- as they are dubbed at Lapland UK-arrived they were utterly enchanted.
Even my eleven year old who I worried might be cynical declared ‘this is sick.’
Nestled in Whitmoor Forest near Ascot, Berkshire even the walk through the carpark manages to be exciting with lights twinkling in the trees as you approach the cluster of Finnish-style cabins at this magical destination in the woods.
It is the fine details which really set this woodland wonderland apart.
From the miniature doorways, just for ‘small folk’ to use, to the beautifully fashioned individualised costumes worn by all the elves- and the big man himself-details are styled to perfection.
Elves even have a customised greeting for their young visitors, a simple ‘hello’ won’t do, instead they put their thumb up to their nose and waggle their fingers
The experience and storytelling is more akin to something you might expect from a Disney park, rather than a traditional visit to Santa.
On arrival, children are immediately issued with their own Lapland passports for their magical journey and get stamps at various stops along the way.
Then begins a charming immersive theatre experience which involves storytelling and singing before the doors to Lapland are thrown open in dramatic style, even the adults can’t help but gasp at the snowy pathways that beckon.
First, children head to Father Christmas’ toy workshop where kids help three elves-Conker, Whittle and Wish, build toys.
The children stuffed penguins and then placing them back on Santa’s conveyer belt…although grown ups are later slipped the toys to take home for Christmas Day.
Next comes a visit to Mother Christmas’ kitchen where there is more festive storytelling and a chance to decorate gingerbread…and promptly demolish it.
Visitors then emerge into the Elves village, a wintry festive town complete with a ‘frozen pond’ for skating, post office for children to write and post letters and old-fashioned sweet shop.
You can spend up to one and half hours exploring the village at leisure and skating, which is included in the price..
Even my little one was able to glide round the rink-thanks to the cute penguin skate aids.
We had lunch at Pumperknickles restaurant, where the food isn’t cheap, but it is of decent quality for a children’s attraction.
Then the really big moment had arrived…at your allotted time you follow a winding snowy path, passing real reindeer along the way, and a sleigh to meet man himself.
It is all slickly done, with little waiting around and an Elf to guide you to your log cabin.
Kids are kept entertained and distracted whilst they wait for their private audience.
And the experience of meeting Father Christmas is a far cry from a quick grip and grin at the shopping centre.
It was pure joy to watch their jaws drop when Santa started congratulating them on recent achievements and quoting small details about them, thanks to an online form you fill in about each child before you go.
Father Christmas also presented all three children with a beautiful huskie toy and magical Christmas bell l.
The unhurried meeting was utterly charming for the children and me.
Whilst Lapland UK is not a cheap day out, it certainly comprises a lot of activities which would add up considerably for a family of five if you did them separately over the holidays.
We enjoyed a top-notch theatre show experience, crafting, skating, a grotto visit and the children came away with two beautiful toys and a lot of amazing memories.
Included in the price also is the obligatory photograph with Father Christmas.
And unbelievably my gang were all looking at the camera and smiling….now that’s truly is a Christmas miracle.
