FAQ For Parents
What are your opening dates?
10th November to 24th December 2008
NB Booking required for all visits, via the web or by telephone
Is Lapland UK an open event? Can I buy tickets on the day?
No, Lapland UK is similar to a theatre production with a fixed capacity. All visits must be booked in advance online (Online Bookings) /telephone booking.
Early booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
Can I make a group booking (eg brownies/cubs )?
Lapland UK is a personalised experience aimed at individual family groups wishing to meet Father Christmas and is not therefore suitable for large parties.
Every family booking must contain a minimum of 1 adult and 1 full priced child up to a maximum of 8 persons, excluding babies.
At what age does a child qualify as an adult?
16 years at time of visit.
At what age does does a child qualify as a baby?
Up to 18 months old at the time of the visit.
I want to go with another family, can I do this? Can we see Father Christmas together?
Yes, but please book individual families separately for us to gather accurate family data.
To synchronise your visit to Father Christmas, simply book the same time slot.
Please inform the Elf at the Elf Café prior to your Father Christmas visit that you are attending with another family.
Subject to health and safety restrictions.
I have booked my family visit, when will I receive my tickets?
Lapland UK is ticket less!
At the time of booking you will have received a confirmation email detailing your booking reference. Please bring this booking reference together with supporting ID for one adult member of your party (e.g. driving licence/credit card/passport) on the day of your visit.
Approximately 3 - 4 weeks before the event you will receive an invitation for your child from Father Christmas. Along with the invitation you will receive an information pack for your day.
Can I change my child's recorded personal information e.g. favourite pet on my original booking?
Yes, if the information provided at the time of booking changes, you can update your child's personal information on the day of your visit by informing an elf at the Elf Café prior to your appointment with Father Christmas.
What do I need to gain entry on the day of my visit?
At the time of booking you will have received a confirmation email detailing your booking reference. Please bring this booking reference together with supporting identification for one adult member of your party (e.g. driving licence/credit card/passport) on the day of your visit.
Failure to produce the right documentation will result in non admittance without refund (please see Terms and Conditions).
When will my child's invitation arrive?
Your child's invitation will arrive by post 3 - 4 weeks prior to the day of your visit inside your Lapland UK information pack.
Although the invitation has no face value and will not gain entry to Lapland UK, it represents the start of your child's magical Lapland UK experience.
Parents, now it is your turn to play your part. Having concealed the invitation from small eyes, you have the flexibility to "deliver" the invitation as and when you choose e.g. in the fireplace/ under a pillow /door mat.
Useful tip: In extreme weather circumstances, we may need to close the site at short notice and rearrange your date (see Terms and Conditions for further information), so you may wish to hold on to Father Christmas's invitation until the last moment to avoid any disappointment for your child.
How will our Lapland UK experience work?
Your visit to Lapland UK is a timed event, so punctuality is essential.
Upon arrival you will be issued with a family passport containing a map and your itinerary for the day.
Your personal itinerary will include visits to;
- The Elves Toy Factory
- Ice Skating
- Restaurant (inclusive meal)
- Post Office
- Saami Village (Reindeer, Huskies)
- The Gingerbread House
- Father Christmas
NB: Unfortunately, failure to arrive on time for a timetabled activity will result in the loss of this session as we are unable to reschedule missed activities due to other customer bookings.
How long will the whole day trip take?
The whole experience will last approximately 4 hours.
Will we be outside?
Yes, at Lapland UK we "celebrate winter", so wear appropriate clothing and footwear, but don't worry there are many places to warm up and keep dry!
Do I need to pay for parking?
No. Parking is inclusive in your Lapland UK booking price.
Can we come early?
Due to the timed nature of Lapland UK we are unable to admit visitors early. However, we have a Visitor Centre with Café and facilities should you choose to arrive early.
What happens if we are late?
Unfortunately as each family follows a pre arranged programme of activities, late arrival will result in your family forfeiting the earliest sessions of your day (please see Terms and Conditions).
Will the children receive a gift?
Yes all children visiting Father Christmas will receive a luxury gift as well as the parents/guardians. If there are more than two adults in the family party, they will each receive certain other gifts.
What food will be there?
You will have a choice of one of the following main courses, and one of the desserts. These are subject to availability and included in your ticket price. We have catered for vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs, and the ingredients of each dish are detailed below.
Main Courses:
- Baked breakfast (until 11.30am)
(Coeliac Friendly)
Egg, gammon ham, cream, cheddar cheese, parsley, black pepper, salt. Sausage (Pork Shoulder, Pork Belly, Rusk, Pork Casing, Salt & Pepper, Thyme, Pork Fat) - Turkey, Leek & Ham pie
Turkey, gammon ham, leek, carrot, celery, water, cream, milk, (chicken stock, water, chicken, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, pepper). Flour, butter, water, egg, salt. - Cottage pie
(Coeliac Friendly)
Steak mince, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, thyme, bay leave, oregano, fresh chicken stock, Maris Piper potatoes, butter, cream, salt, pepper. - Smoked Haddock, Salmon & Hake Pie
Smoked Haddock, Salmon, Fillet, Hake pieces, white wine, carrots, onion, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, Parsley, milk, butter, flour, carrots, onion, garlic, celery, potato , black pepper, (chicken stock ,water, chicken, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, pepper) - Sausages with Mash and Onion Gravy
Pork Shoulder, Pork Belly, Rusk, Pork Casing, Salt & Pepper, Thyme, Pork Fat Potato, butter, cream, onion, flour, beef stock, water, salt, sugar, pepper - Grilled Vegetable Bake
(Vegan & Coeliac Friendly)
Fresh tomatoes, tinned tomatoes, onion, garlic, thyme, basil, oregano, parsley, olive oil, tomato paste, aubergine, yellow peppers, red peppers, red onion, white rice, water - Macaroni cheese
Wheat flour, water, salt, milk, cheddar, butter, nutmeg, cream
- Chocolate Pot
(Coeliac Friendly)
Cream, chocolate 55% cocoa, egg white, sugar, vanilla essence, coco powder - Mixed berries set in Strawberry Jelly
(Coeliac Friendly)
Gelatine, sugar, water, and mixed berries , fresh cream, hundreds and thousands sprinkles - Apple Crumble and Custard
Water, apple, sugar, sultanas, flour, butter, rolled oats, custard powder, milk, cream.
- Jugs of local tap water & cordials to be set on the tables. You will also be able to purchase excellent coffee, tea, herbal teas, soft drinks, and other home made snacks on site if you wish.
There are no nuts in the food prepared for your Lapland UK meal and none have been used in the Lapland UK kitchens, but they will be present in some of the biscuits and cakes your can buy as noted below. Although these goods are made elsewhere, they will pass through our Lapland UK kitchens to our on site kiosk and to the Visitor Centre.
Nutritional information on the gingerbread in the gingerbread factory at Lapland UK can be found here: Gingerbread nutritional info
Both at the Visitor Centre and on site you will be able to buy Monmouth Coffee, herbal teas and various cookies and cakes, all reasonably priced.
I have specific dietary needs can I take a picnic?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own food. Please see Terms and Conditions.
Can adults on their own visit Lapland UK to soak up the festive atmosphere?
No sorry, Lapland UK is a festive experience aimed at young children and their families wishing to meet Father Christmas and his Elves.
Can my family visit Father Christmas after Christmas day?
Father Christmas and the Elves will be having a well-earned rest and will no longer be resident at Lapland UK.
What happens if it rains, will the snow wash away?
Lapland UK works like a film set using the world leader in artificial snow production. They provided the snow effects for James Bond, so they can certainly handle the great British weather!
Can I bring my dog?
Unfortunately due to the other animals at Lapland UK, only guide/hearing dogs are permitted (please see Terms and Conditions).
Does Lapland UK support any Charities?
Lapland UK is privileged to be able to provide a Lapland inspired Christmas day trip for sick and disabled children who would otherwise be unable to fly to Lapland on medical grounds.
In 2007 Father Christmas brought some Christmas magic into the lives of children from the Make a Wish Foundation and Demelza House charities.
In 2008 Lapland UK are proud to be supporting Demelza House once again.
Is all the wood used at Lapland UK from sustainable sources?
Yes, from certificated managed forests.
How accessible is Lapland UK to disabled visitors?
Lapland UK is fully accessible to disabled visitors with wheelchair access provided.
Can I smoke?
No, Lapland UK has a no smoking policy.
Can we take photographs?
You are very welcome to take photographs around the Lapland UK village, but strictly for personal use. Photographs are not permitted in Father Christmas's house but professional photographs of your family will be available to purchase (please see Terms and Conditions).
Can I bring my baby?
A 'baby' ticket is for any child under the age of 18 months.Please note a baby ticket does not include participation in any of the activities or food but the baby will receive a present from Father Christmas. Please bring your baby's food with you, we can heat it up when you visit the restaurant. Bottle warming facilities will be available at the café on the Village Square and in the Elf Café.
