Lapland UK, Bewl Water, Kent

“Lapland UK, Bewl Water, Kent”

Written on: 09/12/2012

We visited Lapland UK last week and was extremely disappointed, the website site states it is a magical experience, well it was far from that. Firstly you queue for ages to check in, then you go through to meet 2 elves that waffle on and can't act, my son was completely bored and so were many other children. After the elves have handed out passports and sung a song they finally open a door to the Wonderland! Well it was a muddy path with artificial snow sprayed on trees, about 10 metres along path, we were all met by a Sami, who waffled on again and made everyone make reindeer and husky noises-again, children were getting bored, we had to stay their for about 15 minutes before we went to the toy factory. Here the children stuffed build a bear type teddies with different shapes and put its t-shirt on-the children were not allowed to keep these, although an elf said you can buy one in the shop for 60 elf jingles-£30! They are definitely not worth that price. Next we were taken to see Mother Christmas in her gingerbread house to listen to the elf s again waffle on and sing a song, then children decorate a gingerbread (which they can eat) the adults were offered a hot fruit drink and a biscuit. After this we had 90 minutes in the village square - this was another huge disappointment, the fake snow on the floor is white astro turf, the ice sating rink was plastic and all you can do is shuffle around, was no way you can ice skate on it. There's a post office, but be aware if you want a Santa stamp on seal, you need to pay. There's a shop that is way overpriced and full of tatt, the restaurant is limited-there was meatballs, chips, hot dog or soup, the chips were £3 for a cardboard cup full! There is a coffee and cake bar. You can meet the husky dogs which were kept in a wigwam and learn about Sami people. After the 90 minutes its time to visit Santa, be prepared for a long wait though. First you are taken to register your child's details, then wait till your name appears on a blackboard, then you go through to another room to wait till an elf calls you to visit Santa. After a short walk through the woods and another wait outside Santas log cabin, we finally met him. My son was given a nice cuddly husky dog and we had our photos taken. When you leave Santa, the elves guide you to see his reindeers and here you can purchase your photos -£10 each or 3 for £20 and there is a shop selling outfits for your cuddly husky! All in all this is an expensive disappointing day out, would never recommend it. Save your money, it's one big rip off.