I visited the UK’s most popular Christmas attraction – getting tickets is as bad as Glastonbury but it’s worth it
“WIGGLE your fingers, squash your nose, blink 3 times and curl your toes!”
Who’d have thought that a simple rhyme delivered by whimsical woodland elves Sage and Eeko (and a lot of excitable children) could open the portal to the magical realm of Lapland UK.
Tucked away in Berkshire’s woodland, Lapland UK is one of the most popular Christmas events in the UK.
Getting tickets was almost as hard as getting Glastonbury tickets this year, with as many as 150,000 people in the queue when they went on sale online.
Thankfully we were the lucky ones, and managed to get them for the whole family.
We listened to Father Christmas’ Elfcast on our journey in the car before we were transported through an immersive four-hour experience that thrilled both big and small folk.
One of the highlights of the day for us was the hands-on experience creating a toy rabbit alongside Chief Toy Maker Whittle and his mischievous assistant, Conker.
Decorating delicious gingerbread men was a delightful addition to the festivities – it didn’t take long for us to decorate and even quicker for us to eat this tasty treat while listening to a folklore story from Mother Christmas from the comfort of her kitchen.
The charm extended further as we wandered through the snowy Elven Village, where you could feel a great sense of excitement without the feeling of being overcrowded, which was pleasantly surprising.
Watching my husband and son take their first spin on the ice and not
so gracefully navigating the rink was an endearing experience!
We celebrated the accomplishment of them not falling over with a hot chocolate, with an added drop of Baileys for me.
It was a welcomed warming touch to the wintry atmosphere as we visited the post office to stamp our Elven passports and checked out the beautiful decorations in the village bauble shop.
The crescendo of the day arrived with the enchanting encounter with Father Christmas and his majestic reindeer along the way at Ambolt’s Forge.
The magical ambience and attention to detail truly made this encounter unforgettable.
My children left beaming with joy and in awe at how much Father Christmas knew about their recent achievements and favourite
toys.
I was relieved that my daughter declined the offer to show him her gymnastics skills for fear she’d end up on the naughty list for accidentally kicking him in the face!
What sets Lapland UK apart for me is its ability to craft a magical experience without the chilling arctic temperatures.
Despite the absence of freezing weather, the essence and spirit
of Lapland are impeccably captured, ensuring an immersive and delightful experience for all ages.
Celebrating its 16th year, it’s no wonder why it’s one of the UK’s fastest-selling events.
Lapland UK tickets often go on sale around March, with the event running from select dates in November and December.
However, the tickets, which range from £59 to £149, often sell out months in advance – with the attraction welcoming some celeb guests too.
The Beckhams, Holly Willoughby and Peter Andre have all been spotted at Lapland UK in recent years.
If you didn’t get tickets this year, we’ve round a budget-friendly UK alternative to Lapland with reindeer and brand new Christmas village.
And here’s what to expect from the new Wishmas immersive experience this year.