It may still only be spring, but Lapland UK is hoping to inject a spot of Christmas spirit early this year after tickets went on sale for its month-long run.
For the second successive year, a 10-acre site at the Bewl Water estate near Lamberhurst will be transformed into a winter wonderland.
Just don’t expect it to be cheap.
Cash-strapped families in these recession-hit times are being asked to pay up to a staggering £87.50 per ticket for entry – and that price applies to anyone over 18 months old. Which means a total bill of £350 for a family of four.
However, the price does include a two-course meal, ice skating, gifts, all on-site activities and a special meeting with the man himself – Father Christmas.
Organisers insist it represents great value for money and will deliver a real slice of Christmas magic. The top price applies for visits in the two weeks leading up to the big day. A midweek trip in November, for example, will cost a slightly more modest £57.50.
Tots under 18 months still have to pay £10 – but they’ll not be fed or be able to take part in any of the activities. To do that, they must also pay full price.
It didn’t stop the crowds flocking last year, though. Lapland UK’s founder Mike Battle, a former City trader who has sunk more than £3 million of his own money into the venture, denied the ticket price was unrealistic.
He told Kent on Saturday: “We know, more than ever, that it is prohibitively expensive for many families to fly to Lapland in northern Scandinavia.
“Getting a taste of Nordic culture and the delights of a traditional non-commercialised Christmas without the need to travel abroad will be available for families again at Lapland UK this year.
“It can cost £2,500 for a family of four to fly to Lapland for the experience. Here they get it at a fraction of the cost.
“We have only increased our prices by £2.50 this year. The difference from the year before [when tickets cost almost half as much] is due to a big difference in the experience.
“Last year a woman who brought her children said that in five hours together at Lapland UK they didn’t have a single argument. Once you have your ticket that is pretty much it, you go to the log hut for lunch, you get to choose what you have, but you don’t pay anything more for it.”
The multi-million-pound site recreates Father Christmas’ Arctic homeland and elves roam in an enchanted wood frosted by the same special effects people who made it snow in the Harry Potter films.
Organisers are confident the event will not provoke the same controversy as a similar attraction in the New Forest, Hampshire, which was closed down last December amid hundreds of complaints to trading standards.
Mr Battle says things are very different in his wonderland.
He said the “imitators” had failed to take their festive responsibility seriously enough and: “didn’t understand what they were getting into”.
He added: “I think it is a child’s birthright to be able to meet Father Christmas and enjoy a magical experience – but you have got to get it right.
“It is all about getting the little details right and getting to the highest standard again and again and again. We are acutely aware of that.
“You have to treat it with respect. If you are not going to do it properly, then don’t do it at all.”
Tickets went on sale on Monday. Lapland UK runs from November 14 until Christmas Eve.
POSTED: 02/05/2009 12:00:00
Bookmark with:
Email to a friend: