Step in to Christmas at Tulleys Farm: A Santa Experience the whole family will love

Running up until Christmas Eve with tickets still available, little ones can take a magical sleigh ride through the forest for story time and photos with Santa, visit  Mrs Claus’ Bakery to decorate gingerbread men, make their very own Reindeer food, send Christmas wishes directly to Santa at the North Pole Post Office, choose and bring to life a bear at the Teddy Boutique, step into the North Pole Adventure, be wowed by spectacular shows and music, glide across a real ice rink and embark on a big Christmas Advent-ure to find all 23 magical doors hidden around Tulley’s Farm.

What I loved about it –

From start to finish this a polished experience with no detail spared, all attractions and shows have ample and festive (undercover) queuing spaces with truly wonderful, jolly characters interacting with guests and keeping the Christmas spirit high at all times. Experiences ran seamlessly without feeling rushed, this is true of the main event… our visit to Santa which begins with a magical sleigh (tractor) ride through a fairy-lit Christmas Tree forest, guided by a navigationally challenged and cheeky elf.

On arrival, the little ones have to wake a sleepy Santa with lots of loud Christmas cheers. Old St Nick then tells a wonderful tale before putting on a big smile for photos and giving each child a token to exchange for a very special gift. Beaming from ear to ear, children skip their way to the Teddy Boutique and Toy Shop – set in a whimsical cabin with a whole wall jam packed with teddies to choose from. A spectacle in itself, little ones can pick their favourite bear, add the stuffing (with help from the ever-present cheery elves), choose an outfit (at an additional charge)  and take home their new favourite Christmas Companion, made specially in Santa’s workshop.

Suitable for –

Kids of all ages. The interactive experiences, rides and puzzles keep big kids engaged, whilst little ones marvel at twinkling lights and fantastical shows.

Value for money (out of 10) –

7 – If you’re going for the full Santa Experience (which includes the visit to Santa and all activities and shows tickets cost £37.95 per adult and £63.95-£67.95 per child (1-13yrs) or £20.95-£22.95 for tiddlers (under 1).

For what is included; the sheer size of the operation, fantastic staff, quality of the shows and activities, food options and facilities this price feels justified – it is a truly enchanting experience and a jam packed, full family day out.  Ice skating is charged extra at £9.95 for adults and £7.95 for children for a 30 minute session.

Cheaper all-day Mother Christmas tickets are available at £34.95 per adult and £60.95-£64.95 / £17.95 – £19.95 for tiddlers.

There are of course a lot of additional, optional costs once you arrive, such as food (approx. £10-15 per adult meal), drinks (£7 for a pint), marshmallows to toast (£1.50 each), professional photos (from £15), shopping bags (£3), sweet stalls (£1.99 p/100g) and rides (£5 per child) which all add up.

Why I love the Tulleys Christmas Experience

Having visited my fair share of Santa’s grottos – at smaller venues, garden centres, aboard steam trains and even on a long boat, plus the big guns such as Hyde Park’s enormous Winter Wonderland; Tulleys Christmas Experience is the perfect balance of magic and awe, without being overwhelming.

On arrival, children receive a magical Passbook from the ticket Elves which contains an all-important map and showtimes (the One True Wish circus shows are on the hour, the Penguin Parade is at 30 mins past the hour and the other 2 shows are similarly timed). Each activity is stamped as you go and it makes for a very special little keepsake. This also helps to plan your time, which I would highly recommend… there is so much festive fun to enjoy!

Magic is truly everywhere, from the cosy medieval FeastWyk food court with a fantastic range of delicious warming food and drink – filled with twinkling lights and charming shop facades, to the rustic Alpine Bar with its warm atmosphere, to the dazzling Big Top and quaint Christmas Village adorned with fire pits for roasting marshmallows.

Top experiences included

• One True Wish was a true, professional spectacular featuring bringing laughter, wonder and a touch of Christmas sparkle, with breathtaking acts, dazzling lights and a very special polar bear who loves to steal the spotlight.  – the little faces all around me were in absolute awe
• Santa’s Post Office where kids are greeted by the Postmaster, and encouraged to write and post their letters into the cheerful Talking Post Box. Each child receives a reply which will magically appear under their pillow on Christmas morning.
• Mrs Claus’ Bakery is a truly joyous activity – step inside the ‘kitchen’ where warm oven glow and Christmas magic fills the air and kids can decorate their very own gingerbread to take home.
• Reindeer Food Making is a sweet little activity where little ones can mix up a magical treat to leave out for the reindeer of Christmas eve

Top Tips

• If you have little ones, I’d suggest heading in early to beat the crowds which grow through the afternoon
• WEAR WELLIES and waterproof clothing – unfortunately our visit was on one of the wettest days of the year and we were all covered head to toe within the hour. The organisers have done a great job of making the ground as stable as possible (so fine for prams) but its still gets muddy very quickly. Pretty much everything and most walkways are undercover though so you won’t get stranded in the rain
• The FeastWyk food court can get very busy at lunch time so don’t forget theres also plenty of food stalls near the entrance at the other side of the farm with undercover seating available.
• Queue for shows approx.. 10 mins before they start to avoid disappointment
• Take a shopping bag… there were a lot of muddy teddies that had been dropped by little hands and only small draw string bags for £3 available to purchase

Seal of approval:

Tullys Christmas Experience is by far one of the best seasonal events around – children wander the fairy light trails wide-eyed and chuckle with fantastical characters – absorbing every magical moment of festive wonder.

Book here: https://www.tulleyschristmas.co.uk/

By Dani West

Images provided