ANYone been to longleat at Xmas?

[makingmiracles]

Looking at going this year, always leave it too late and ticket sale have all sold out so hoping I am on the ball this year and hopefully get a Xmas eve ticket when they’re released. Did anyone do the Santa train? It’s put me off in previous yrs as I know it’s tipped over a few times! But is it worth it? WHat sorts of presents do the children get?
If I get the day ticket rather than the twilight does that include everything? Maze, house, safari and boat trip? I know the Santa train is extra and bookable separately.

Yes, we love it. The light show is usually fantastic and the train ride to Father Christmas is lovely too. Last time we went the house was fantastic and each room a different fairy tale theme, with student actors in there as main characters (little red riding hood etc). I remember DH dancing around the great hall with Cinderella while DD (3yrs) dances
D with Prince Charming 😁. There was also a fake ice rink to skate on.
I would say that since Lord Bath has handed over to his son, it has become slightly more tacky and I have noticed a definite shift in clientele. But that’s probably me being snobby.
Either way it’s lots of fun.

We've been for the last 4 years, the Santa train hasn't tipped over since we've been, but had the year before!

For the money my DS has had a lot of the wow toys, including racing cars, dumped trucks which are well made, last year he got monster trucks which looked much cheaper, but which he loved.

Grown ups get mince pies and hot choc on the train then when you get off there's decorations, fake snow and reindeer. You queue up for Santa get about a minute with him, plus photo - if you want it you have to pay.

Day ticket includes everything, lanterns normally go on about four and it gets VERY busy after this. There are normally extra food and gift stalls around as well.

It is expensive, but we love doing it and for us it is one of our traditions. However if your local, I'd recommend Avon valley farm parks Christmas as it's much better value for money and very magical!

Ooh thanks for the tips, I’ll look up Avon valley as we are fairly local yes.

We’ve been for the festival of light before but only twilight tickets but kids loved it, got a much younger dc this year so I think she will really like it all and the train. Do they still have the singing tree? I’ve exchanged tesco vouchers so £50 of vouchers will get 3 adults and 4 kids in so that’s not too bad, just the Santa train to pay extra if we get tickets for that.

How much roughly was the Santa photo, can you remember?

I think the photo was about £10, but there were cheaper options - baubles and magnets I think.

Avon valley does a whole Christmas village and you go on an adventure with an elf and then go in a sleigh (which moves around and has a big tv to make it look like your flying), also had gingerbread decorating, story time, ice skating rink, crafts, etc.

We went last and really enjoyed it. We weren't that impressed with the Santa tbh and it was boring waiting for the train to come back round. The festival of light etc was amazing though and we will definitely go again!