Days out/experiences

[SheStoodInTheStorm]

If anyone can suggest any decent days out or experiences that would be great!

Looked at Lapland UK but can't work out if it's sold out or if they will be releasing more tickets.

Polar express railway at Telford sold out in April.

I'd just like to do something a bit more special than a guy in a naff Father Christmas suit sat in a grotto!

Midlands based but willing to travel [santa]

The train to Christmas Town is supposed to be amazing. www.traintochristmastown.com
Winter Wonderland at Tamworth SnowDome.
At Hawkstone Park, Santa’s grotto is located at the end of a network of festively decorated caves. On arrival at the Hawkstone Park Hotel you can have a hot drink before climbing into a Land Rover to head across the park. You drive under a Wishing Arch and head up the hill to the caves. Santa’s elves provide the entertainment in the tunnels and caverns before reaching the grotto. You can also meet real reindeer and walk through a woodland fantasy that is lit up by illuminations.
The Santa Hunt last year at the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley was excellent. We had to solve clues to find the grotto, meeting characters and completing tasks along the way.
When we visited Santa's grotto at Hatton Adventure World last year, the dc received a golden key, which let them into the secret toy shop to get their present. There was also arts and crafts, a puppet show and a quest to find lost reindeer. In the farmyard, there was carolling, a guinea pig village, funfair rides and adventure play.
Birmingham Botanical Garden always has something good on. They've done some great light shows.
Kentwell Hall has an unusual Christmas experience www.kentwell.co.uk/events/dickensian/dickensian-christmas

Lapland uk won't have released their tickets yet (they do early release in June then again in September I think). We've been twice and it's amazing!

I'm south east so can't really offer you any other suggestions

Following with interest. Last year we did a festive day out with Thomas which included a ride on a Thomas steam train. They have them all over the UK and the experience includes a Santa visit, gift etc. This year I’m thinking of doing one of the theme park experiences. My in-laws always do the Xmas sleepover at Alton towers which sounds amazing if expensive. That seems to sell out pretty quick!

Father Christmas at Castle Howard was the best we've seen, but I'm not sure how much travelling that would be for you

We do Lakeside and Haverthwaite's Santa steam train (which is in the Lakes).

It's brilliant as it's great fun and lasts about 90 minutes. The toys the DC get are usually wooden and good quality. They love it and already can't wait for this year!

Nearby Sizergh Castle will likely have something Christmassy going on too, so there'd be enough in the near area to get a full day's trip out.

We live in Gloucestershire, we have the spectacle of light at Sudeley Castle, and Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum. They are both amazing light shows in a beautiful place.

Was just about to recommend spectacle of light at sudley castle and enchanted Christmas at westonbirt.

Severn Valley railway do trips to santa. We always go and see a little theatre production on Christmas Eve too.

@speakfriendandenter is the Father Christmas any good? Looked at some pics and he didn't look great!

Thanks everyone - lots of places I haven't heard of!

He was ok. I think it was more the experience that the kids loved as they'd never been in a steam train before. While waiting there were Christmas carols playing, Santa (there were several but children only saw the one they went to) was in an old train carriage iirc, they got a lovely teddy bear and we took photos.
The Father Christmas at a Thomas Land, Drayton Manor is lovely & it's a whole day out at the park too!

Blithberry reindeer farm is lovely. Churnet valley railway. Tamworth snowdome is meant to be good. We went to the National forests adventure farm in Burton last year and it was such a lovely day out. Also Cannock forest have a santa and reindeer, you can also buy a Christmas tree while there.