LaplandUK, review: The man in red, without a doubt, IS the real deal

Maria Hyrapiet takes her family to visit the “real” Father Christmas in LaplandUK
Joyous: Berkshire's Lapland
Maria Hyrapiet31 August 2016

Barely into December and there is huge excitement in our household about Christmas.

My eldest has been talking about what is going in his letter to Father Christmas religiously whilst my youngest has been pointing out any shiny lights he sees and shouts “Christmas!”

Imagine their joy when they each receive a letter from the big man himself inviting them to work with the elves at his secret toy factory they could barely contain their excitement!

LaplandUK is set within Whitmoor Forest in Berkshire, an hour away from London. The experience lasts for four hours and time is split with a variety of activities as well as your own free time.

First off, we were introduced to the elves who helped us open the magical doorway into Father Christmas’ homeland. We were taken to the toy factory to help the elves with their toy making. The small folk (children) helped stuff a reindeer toy and assemble a wooden horse. The toy factory looks and feels like a real workshop with tools and toys dotted around as well as a toy making schedule for the elves.

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Next, it was off to meet Mother Christmas in a scandinavian style lodge where the children got to don cute hats and aprons and decorate gingerbread with sweets. Afterwards they enjoyed listening to Mother Christmas read the classic story of The Gingerbread Man.

Tips for visiting LaplandUK

• Booking a later time slot lets you experience the village at dusk where everything is beautifully lit. It’ll make even the best scrooges out there feel Christmassy!

• For a real authentic experience trade your cash for Elf jingles, this the only currency that is used at Lapland UK although you can also use card

• Hold off buying any soft toys in the gift shop (if you can). Your gift from Father Christmas is a gorgeous husky dog. So save your jingles and spend it on another treat.

• You are not allowed to take your own photos when you go to see Father Christmas. So if you want a memento of the visit you’ll need to purchase one. They are £15 for one or £30 for three and all include a free digital download.

• Once your visit to Father Christmas is over you exit the premises so do make sure you have explored the Elf Village thoroughly beforehand.

After these activities there was free time to explore the Elf Village, which is beautifully done. Everywhere you look there are snow covered trees you really do feel as though you have been transported to Father Christmas’s arctic homeland.

The village is centred round an ice rink with shops dotted around the outside. Here you can visit the post office to send your letter to Father Christmas, explore the gift shop and stock up on refreshments and grab a bite to eat in the restaurant. You’ll also spot real huskies in the village, which adds to the whole experience.

Before long it’s time for what the children have been eagerly waiting for: after a short wait in the grotto, the children’s names are called and we're taken on a winding tree lit path to Father Christmas’s cabin. Inside, the big man himself is waiting with his “Good List” luckily both boys find their names on there and proceed to tell him what they would like for Christmas. The cabin is adorned with decorations, a tree and a fireplace and the man in red, without a doubt, IS the real deal.

LaplandUK maybe expensive but if you are looking for a luxury Father Christmas experience that you and your children will remember for all the right reasons and is second to none this is it.

Lapland UK, Berkshire, SL5 8BD. Prices from £55-£89.50. Under 1s go free. laplanduk.co.uk

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Follow Maria Hyrapiet on Twitter @suburb4nmum

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