A Mother & Son Review Of LaplandUK

It launched to much fanfare in 2007 – this immersive experience that transported kids and parents to Lapland (via Bracknell) for a four-hour elevated festive treat that makes the average garden centre grotto pale in comparison. At LaplandUK, the Father Christmas’ have real beards, the trees have real (looking) snow; the whole place is infused with real magic. But of course, with each year a new Christmas must-visit enters the scene. Winter Wonderland gets bigger (and brasher), the celebrities move on for another ‘festive first’. So, is Lapland UK still worth a visit? Mum Rebecca Cox & son Jack review for School House. 

Is LaplandUK Worth It?

I last visited LaplandUK, which is, handily, a 20-minute drive from my house rather than a 3.5hour flight to Finland, in 2020. My son was five at the time, and the perfect age to be wowed by the snowy woods and magical portal to another land. Four years later and the veil has somewhat slipped, we’re on thin ice with Father Christmas and who actually fills the stockings, and he can locate Lapland on a map quite easily (nowhere near Bracknell). But the beauty of LaplandUK is that there’s something in it for everyone, whatever their age. 

LaplandUK, (c) Luke Dyson

Aged five, Jack was wowed by the elves and their bells, the snowy trees and the size of the cuddly toy he was handed at the end of the journey. Four years later and the production elements that he struggled to sit still through the first time around captivated him. He was impressed by the level of the production, the incredible set design, and the cast of characters bringing the story scenes to life. (And the size of the cuddly toy handed to him at the end of the journey.)

The production has gone from strength to strength, the set seemed bigger and more impressive this time around, there were added elements to the show and less shuffling through woodland passageways in lines of people to get to the next bit. The queues for the ice rink moved quickly, there were plenty of plastic support penguins to go around, the gift shops were easy to skip past while diverting children’s eyes: all the things that usually irk me about this sort of expensive organised fun were absent. And Christmas spirit was delivered to the highest possible standards, not a fake smile in sight.

The whole experience takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours, meaning that while it’s not cheap, it’s pretty good value for money, especially when you consider the production and attention to detail throughout: not to mention the superlative professionalism of each and every staff member on site. Having submitted Jack’s details ahead of time for his visit to Father Christmas at the end, I was delighted to have one of the ‘elves’ show such a genuine interest in his achievements when I was checking him in for his visit to the big man. Because that’s the secret to keeping everyone happy on days like this, isn’t it? Make the kids feel special. And make the parents feel like their kids are special. 

A Review Of LaplandUK by Jack, 9

When we got there, we were given passports to do all our missions and I was in the Husky group. Everything was amazing and it looked like they really put time into it, everywhere you looked there would be a little bit of detail. There were snowy trees and elves’ houses in the woods. 

There were loads of different elves there and when we got to the final stages I saw reindeer! The best bit was doing the missions to get our Lapland passport stamped. The missions were: helping in the toy factory and… others as well but I will keep those as a surprise in case you visit!

At the end I saw Father Christmas. He gave me a pet Husky from his sack of presents – I am on the good list this year. 

Would Other Children Like It Too, Jack?

It depends if you’re a good talker and you like interactive experiences. Otherwise it might be a bit awkward talking to the elves and Father Christmas. It is a magical experience to do before Christmas. I felt so good afterwards! Oh, and the ice skating was so much fun but I fell over about a million times. If you haven’t tried it before try making a V shape with your feet and use one of the penguins to help you. 

LaplandUK, (c) Luke Dyson

About LaplandUK

LaplandUK is a time honoured reimagining of the Christmas story, created by Mike and Alison Battle, and based on six best-selling books, written by the founders. Guests can expert a captivating four-and-a-half-hour theatrical experience of stories brought to life by top-notch production teams and costume designers within a Hollywood-quality set. The performance transports audiences to a fantastical realm where 31 characters unite to narrate the intricate, untold story of Father Christmas and his elves as they prepare for their most significant night of the year.

What’s Next?

LaplandUK has announced the planned opening of a second location in Manchester for 2025. Following the success of its original site, this new venue at Capesthorne Hall will welcome families for the 2025 Christmas season. The immersive experience, inspired by six best-selling books, will span over 173,000 square meters, accommodating more than 178,000 guests. Keep an eye on portal.laplanduk.co.uk for more details. 

Book For 2025

Tickets: £60-£190 | Tickets to LaplandUK 2025 will be available in March. Sign up to the waiting list to receive notifications: portal.laplanduk.co.uk/tickets