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Christmas

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Center Parcs Winter Wonderland

9 replies

Aldwick · 26/08/2013 09:47

Just wondering if anyone has been (would be Longleat if we did) and if it would be good for small children - all under 6. Have had a bad year and would be lovely to do something special to mark the end of it.
If we went just before Christmas it would also force me to be organised for the big day itself!

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GrasshopperNchipmunk · 26/08/2013 10:19

We've been for the last couple of years, though Sherwood and Whinfell and we loved it! They put fake snow everywhere in the village and there are lots of twinkly lights.

They have a santas grotto (which is abit pricey) carriage rides and real reindeers which the kids loved going to see. They also have fireworks over the lake twice a week which is nice.

I wish we were going this year :-(

Aldwick · 26/08/2013 18:25

I'm sold! Thank you!

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binger · 26/08/2013 18:33

We go every year and have done for 8 years. My kids are 7 and 10. Love it and it wouldn't be the same if we missed it. We go with 2 other couples and one child.

It's Whinfell for us but I should imagine the theme is the same even if parks are slightly different.

Threewhiskeys · 26/08/2013 19:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GrasshopperNchipmunk · 26/08/2013 21:01

We generally go Mon - Fri because we have pre schoolers, last year accommodation cost us about £330 for a woodland lodge. I think it's really good value and dreading when the kids start school and we are restricted to holidays as the price shoots right up Hmm

everydayaschoolday · 26/08/2013 21:01

We're booked at Sherwood for this year - fri-mon before christmas. It's fab. I have 2YO, 5YO and three lovely teenage DSDs - all of them love it. Accommodation ranges in price depending on standard and size - best to check their website.

Last year santa visit was £10 but grotto was really lovely, plenty of time with santa, Elves were really kind and a decent gift which would be around the £5-£8 mark, so fair price all in, and I'm willing to pay it again this year. Add on the 5min pony ride to santa and the price gets a bit steep (but then 4YO loved it). Real reindeer in enclosure near grotto are free to visit, and all the toddler/young kid suff is all fairly inexpensive (Christmassy arts/crafts, treasure hunts etc), kids climbing wall was about £8 for half hour, and badminton about £8 for 45mins. We like walks in the woods and collect pine cones and spot squirrels, and go free swimming, the adventure playground and swing park every day.

Fireworks were free and fabulous, more like a lights display with lit-up hula hoopers and lasers as well as fireworks (well was last year) - wrap up well outside, or view it from inside Hucks with a hot chocolate (book a table WELL in advance).

We eat one meal out (usually pancake house) and self-cater rest of the meals (I bring a big frozen homemade chilli, curry, lasagne etc) to keep costs down.

To us it's fab (caters across the age ranges of all the kids) but I know its not everyones cuppa Wink. We don't tend to take/hire bikes on the christmas break (we take/hire in spring/summer), instead we walk everywhere.

sorry, that was very long Blush. can you tell we love it?! Sorry, Longleat is the only one I've not been to, but they mostly follow the same profile.

Aldwick · 27/08/2013 10:23

Thank you so much for all your replies. I have just booked and am very very excited. Something to look forward to is easing my 'end of summer' blues. Just hoping for no snow or illness now....

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whoneedstosleep · 27/08/2013 11:16

Aww glad you have booked, this will be our 3rd year going. We love it too.
I think the grotto is worth the money, like schoolday said you get plenty time with Santa and a decent gift.

We always go to Starbucks before it for a hot chocolate then normally to the lakeside inn (whine fell) for food after :)

LoreleisSecret · 27/08/2013 11:45

We are going this year for the first time and are reallyyyy excited! Eek

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