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.
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 .