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Christmas

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Original poster

Willows Farm Village Christmas activites...anybody been?

20 replies

futurity · 19/12/2007 18:20

thinking of going here near London Colney in next few days and wonder if anyone has been already and whether it is worth the money as seems quite pricey.

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dividedselfridgesxmaswindow · 19/12/2007 18:23

Freinds say it is great. Willows has always been expensive but good value for money imo. The new play area is excellent, apparently. Sorry not to be able to elaborate further but I haven't been meself

dividedselfridgesxmaswindow · 19/12/2007 18:24

Sh*t, friends

FairyTaleOfNewYork · 19/12/2007 18:27

not been for the xmas one. we went to their halloween frstival over hal;f term and the girls really enjoyed it. i would take a picnic as the canteen gets very very packed. its one of the places we go to at least twice a year.

and wrap up warm!

i might take the girls to whipsnade over xmas. we will be very warmly wrapped.

southeastastra · 19/12/2007 18:28

it's ok but it will be cold - whipsnade sounds like a great idea haven't been there for ages.

donnie · 19/12/2007 18:31

the indoors soft play area is amazing and very large - with a big cafe attached. I haven't done the Santa's Grotto bit but I know people who regularly do it and recommend it - pricey but the present is good quality apparently. The little fairground style rides are still in action, good for the younger ones and no extra cost.

Willows is very exposed though and always freezing unless its summer in which case it's boiling!

My tip is not to eat in the main eating area where the entrance is but to eat in the smaller ( and warmer, nicer)cafe in the food shop.

dividedselfridgesxmaswindow · 19/12/2007 18:34

Oh yes! You get a voucher for the toy and then go to a shop bit to choose from very good quality toys, apparently.

southeastastra · 19/12/2007 18:35

the shop is nice. take £££ to spend yourself

Original poster
futurity · 19/12/2007 18:35

thanks for all your replies. I was worried about how flipping cold it would be as the weather says 3 degrees on Friday! But we do all have coats/hats/gloves so could survive that. THanks for the tips about which eating area to go in...haven't decided what to do about food yet as needless to say it all adds up after paying for 2 children and me to get in...would consider taking a picnic though if there is somewhere indoors to eat it??

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Original poster
futurity · 19/12/2007 18:37

pricks up ears...nice shop you say!! Now you are talking!

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donnie · 19/12/2007 18:38

you would be able to eat your own food in the main eating area - also they have a microwave in there. Try to get a table near the lovely big roaring fire where the microwave is!!

donnie · 19/12/2007 18:38

oh the shop is fab - lovely food, lovely Christmas decs etc.

Original poster
futurity · 19/12/2007 18:47

i suppose my other question should be if it is really busy will that be a problem (ie lots of hanging around in the cold) or is it big enough so that everyone spreads out? DH is worried that we won't get enough out of it for the money if it is packed.

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southeastastra · 19/12/2007 18:49

it's huge futurity. if it's cold you can sit in a barn where they'll plonk a baby rabbit on you.

it's a proper farm shop so there's lots of yummy stuff to buy. actually might visit the shop tomorrow!

Original poster
futurity · 19/12/2007 19:09

lol at plonk a baby rabbit on you!! does sound like it is worth the money and something nice and christmassy to do with the kids whilst they are the right sort of ages to appreciate Santas Grotto (2 Ds's..aged almost 6 and almost 3!)

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Original poster
futurity · 19/12/2007 19:09

lol at plonk a baby rabbit on you!! does sound like it is worth the money and something nice and christmassy to do with the kids whilst they are the right sort of ages to appreciate Santas Grotto (2 Ds's..aged almost 6 and almost 3!)

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Original poster
futurity · 19/12/2007 19:09

oops...finger slipped!

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pinkteddy · 19/12/2007 19:12

we went last year and didn't think it was worth the money tbh. There were queues for everything and it was freezing. There is minimal space under cover to eat your own picnic - although things might have improved with the new play barn/cafe. The queues for santa were massive. The grotto was lovely and the presents of high quality but the ride to the magical forest consisted of a tractor going back and forth for about 5 mins and the 'fairground' consisted of 2 rides one of which was only suitable for under 5s. I would take a flask of something hot as the queues for hot drinks were long too and they never seem to have enough staff serving!

southeastastra · 19/12/2007 19:23

there is a massive retail park nearby too with a huge m&s, sainsbos, borders, accessorise, next and monsoon if you fancy some last minute christmas shopping.

Original poster
futurity · 19/12/2007 20:11

thanks for your comments pinkteddy..i appreciate hearing all thoughts ...am now confused what to do though!

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pinkteddy · 19/12/2007 22:58

Well the kids will probably enjoy it. If you're going get there as early as possible and queue for santa first. We had very high expectations as the website had said there was fairground and sleigh ride through the fairy woods (it was 5 min tractor ride) so were very disappointed - at least you know what to expect! Wrap up warm!

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