Swap dodgy Santas and muddy fields for a proper winter wonderland
Following a weekend of festive fails, here are five Christmas treats to put on your list
It is an annual tradition almost as certain as Christmas itself: which Winter Wonderland will open too early and present hopeful families with a muddy field and a rubbish fairground instead of a magical white Christmas experience?
This year is was Cumbria, whose spectacular Hawcoat Park Sports and Social Club blunderland had all the classics, from a smoking Santa and flooded ice rink.
Derbyshire did well too: they packed in plenty of mud at the Bakewell Winter Wonderland; it was so bad even the Santa left early.
But they’re not alone.
Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen came a cropper in 2014 when his Magical Journey at the Belfry was forced to shut after a just day. Angry parents complained about the queues for Santa’s grotto and shoddy toys which weren’t even wrapped.
And the Edinburgh Christmas Market in 2013 copped a lot of flak for its overpriced Santa train. Memorably, it was said to be more expensive mile-for-mile than the Orient Express.
But for every broken fairy light there is a shining north star, leading the way to festive fun.
If you want a merry wonderland experience that takes the grotty out of grotto, try one of these winter winners:
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
The biggest Winter Wonderland in the country celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, so it’s no-fly-by night Christmas cash in. That’s not to say it is cheap: like a fairground it is free to entry and you pay by the attraction. Book in advance for the big ones like the Ice Rink and Zippos Circus and bring cash to pay for fairground rides up front. See .
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland
Now in its third year, the big attraction here is The Ice Factor, the largest outdoor rink in the north. There’s a funfair too with traditional rides dating back to the 1930s – and a Santa’s Grotto of course.
Skate tickets are £10.45 (families from £27); Santa visit with gift, £4.50, funfair rides and stalls are pay as you go. See.
Manchester Winter Wonderland
Canny Mancunians have cottoned on to the reality of the British Winter and put their wonderland indoors: no muddy fields - no mud at all actually - and no rain.
There are circus performances, a funfair and a mini panto show – plus a guest appearance from Basil Brush. Entry is £19.50 (family tickets from £64) and that covers all of the fairground rides, though food and drink and prize stalls are extra. See .
Cardiff Winter Wonderland
Skating is order of the day; the rink is just outside the magnificent City Hall and National Museum, and now undercover following a few wet winters! There is a funfair too and a Christmas Market in traditional wooden huts. Adult skating tickets are £9.50 (kids £6.50); the rest is pay as you go – see.
Butlin's Christmas Wonderland
Treat yourself to a weekend away before the big day: Butlins’ parks at Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness go festive throughout December with a winter grotto with Santa and his elves, ice skating, arts and crafts, and a Christmas menu in the restaurants. Festive breaks are from £49 per person, based on a family room at the Wave Hotel in Bognor Regis – that’s a 10% saving if you book by November 29. See .