Longleat at Christmas

[WreckTangled]

I'm going to book to go to Longleat this year I've decided. Please can I have all of your tips?!

I've only been to Longleat once before so the dc will still want to see some animals etc.

Need to know about the santa train and how much etc plus all the lights and when to see the singing Christmas tree please! 🎄

We've been the last two years, I love it, it's a totally magical way to start Christmas countdown.

Some tips, I'm sure I'll think of more:

• you will all need a day ticket to go on Santa train and see lanterns, last year I think it cost me, DH and DS about £100, including day at longleat, trip on Santa train and present for DS (a wow toys pair of racing cars - he was three)

• it is very very busy, be prepared to be stuck in massive crowds to see some of the lanterns.

• last year they added an artic corner for a few pounds, this consisted of some winter themes bouncy castles, including snow globes and slides; as well as a craft area. Not sure we'd do this again, but if DS sees it he will want to go in - it has to be prebooked. All the bouncy things are outside and it was raining and muddy when we went so not much fun for us, but DS loved it.

• house is all decorated and lovely so worth a look around

• tickets book up very quickly for popular dates (weekend before Christmas) and evening Santa trains (so you arrive in the grotto in the dark); so sign up for updates on their website so you know as soon as tickets are on sale - usually mid September. Last year the website crashed when I was booking, but was their 50th anniversary so possibly more popular.

• the grotto had reindeer and some people dressed as snowmen, you all get off the train and join the queue for Santa, if your at the end of the queue I reckon you have about a twenty minute wait. They have a stall selling hot drinks for the queue so remember cash, plus they will try and sell you a photo after visiting Santa for about £8 if I remember correctly.

• they extended it into January last year and did twilight ticket, without the Santa train and safari, and it was a lot less busy

• they have other things around the park, a gigantic Christmas tree and an ice rink which I think you need to pre book

I think that's all!! Any questions let me know as I've been a few times! And apologies for any typos

Example of lanterns from last year, they are usually all over the grounds around the house, and I believe the theme this year is fairy tales.

Book an evening santa train, it's much more magical as you go through the dark woods and then spot the lights in the distance and then get off with all the trees full of fairy lights etc. Kids thought we had actually been transported to the North Pole!

Ah thanks so much!

• do you book the santa train at the same time as you book tickets?

Hoping to go the first Saturday in December do you think we will get tickets ok?

If you have Tesco vouchers you can get the tickets heavily discounted. We got a really good deal last year x

You book tickets all at the same time, generally it's the Santa train times that sell out so you may have to compromise on time for that, but otherwise I think you'll be okay. Yes to Tesco vouchers if you have any, they make it much much cheaper!

How can you use Clubcard vouchers as I thought you could only use them on the gate? Think I only have £6.50 in Clubcard vouchers though so not enough...

Think that £9 in Tesco vouchers gets you entry for one person, and you have to get the Tesco vouchers to then buy longleat tickets online.

I've just been reading the Clubcard stuff. I can use £2.50 in vouchers to get a ticket for £18 so I can do two of those that'll help.

I'm excited, thanks for all the info. Just a couple of weeks until I can book tickets.

That's good, it's an expensive day but totally worth it, the grotto is really nice and the gifts are good quality. Enjoy it🎄

Awesome thanks! My sister and bil are coming too which will be lovely for the dc plus they live really close so we can stay with them

Take care of you have to go last Bath and the Christmas markets. Traffic is awful!

The food options are a bit crap and very busy.

The safari park last entry is about 2pm so factor that in to your timetable.

We had a brilliant time last year. There's lots to do and it is magical arriving in a 'snow' covered forest clearing with reindeer! The presents were decent too.

The lanterns were lovely and the house is very festive.

Sorry for typos. Should say 'be careful if you have to go past Bath'

We're in the south east so won't have to go past Bath luckily!

Should we do the safari first? I was thinking of that and then we could eat a packed lunch as we go round? Is it best to get there for when it opens?

Depending on age of your children and when your Santa train is - if Santa train is later in day younger children may be exhausted. I would definitely get there for when it opens - bear in mind it's a 10-15 minute drive from the entrance to the safari, go to safari first- takes about 2 hours then have a stroll around the house, gardens and other animals before it gets dark.

They will be 7.5 and just 5 but will have been up early for the drive. I think the excitement should keep them going though! Argh I love Christmas! Thanks for all of your help

Definitely go safari first then, there's lots to do around the gardens, a huge maze, a little ride, and a big adventure playground, it'll be fab!

Looking forward to going ourselves now!