After a decade of parenting and visiting countless festive events, I thought I had seen it all. That was until I experienced the sheer scale and extravagance of Lapland UK's new Manchester site. This Christmas attraction, set in the grounds of Capesthorne Hall near Macclesfield, promises a magical portal to the North Pole, but it comes with an eye-watering price tag of £65-£155 per person, where both adults and children pay the same.
The launch week for organisers was a baptism of fire. Following some initial negative reviews in fan groups, Storm Claudia hit on Friday, forcing an evacuation. I attended on a pre-planned press visit with my two children, aged 10 and 5, on Sunday, not quite knowing what to expect.
Stepping Into A Winter Wonderland
Thankfully, the storm had passed, leaving a cold but tranquil morning. The first major difference from the original Ascot site is that the Cheshire location is entirely under cover. While you are protected from the rain and mud, the temperature is kept purposefully chilly to mimic a real Lapland, so winter coats are essential.
From the moment you check in at the 'departure lounge' and collect the children's Elven Passports, you are transported. The experience begins with a traditional show where a colourful cast of elves introduces you to their world, complete with a 'cheery-hi' nose-waggling greeting. The magic truly unfolds as you enter a vast, breathtaking magical woodland.
The Four-Hour Festive Adventure Unfolds
Families are then split into two groups—Team Husky or Team Little Rudi—for the interactive elements. We gazed in wonder at the spectacular Toy Factory, where children help elves make an adorable polar bear toy and assist on a conveyor belt for Father Christmas. Next, in Mother Christmas' kitchen, kids decorate their own gingerbread house, an activity my boys adored.
The adventure continues into the Elven Village, where you have 90 minutes for activities like ice skating, writing letters to Santa, and sampling hot food. The grand finale is a walk through the Reindeer Lodge before the main event: a meeting with Father Christmas. He seemed to know intimate details about my children, checked if they were on the Good List, and happily posed for photos. One souvenir photo is included, but we opted for the all-inclusive digital package for an additional £40.
The Real Cost: Value For Money Or Festive Frenzy?
Our tickets cost £105 each, meaning a family of four would spend over £420 just on entry. For that, you get a Christmas show, ice skating, gingerbread making, a meeting with Santa, a cuddly toy, and a surprise gift for parents. While the activities are primarily for children, the joy on their faces is part of the package.
However, the spending doesn't stop there. Inside the Elven Village, we spent an additional £80 on food and drink. A word of warning: the colourful marshmallow lollies cost a staggering £6 each. The hot food, like a £13 smash burger, was delicious but pricey, and healthy options were scarce. The Lapland Hot Chocolate, however, was worth its £6 price tag.
The site is huge, requiring a lot of walking, which could be challenging with toddlers. Our session contained around 200 people, split into two groups of 100. While this sounds large, the organisation was impeccable, though queues for popular activities like the ice rink can form. My top tip: send one adult to queue for skating while the others enjoy other activities.
Ultimately, Lapland UK Manchester is an epic, meticulously detailed, and undeniably extravagant Christmas experience. If you have a ticket, you are in for a heck of a festive time, but be prepared for the full financial and logistical commitment of a 4.5-hour day out.
