We are huge fans of festive adventures, and are always looking for something different. We are also huge fans of the National Forest Adventure Farm, so as soon as we saw they had a North Pole Adventure, we were beyond excited to check it out!

The whole experience itself lasted nearly 2 hours – something we really weren’t expecting, but it went so fast with so much to do along the journey to meet Santa.

The National Forest Adventure Farm opens at 10am, but our experience was at 9.30am, so when we turned up around 9am, we were one of the first ones there – and even had the huge indoor soft play to ourselves while we waited.

The journey to the North Pole

The weather was pretty miserable outside but that didn’t impact us one bit. We collected our personalised ticket to the North Pole, and at the start of our session we were led to ‘check in’ where we were given a passport and elf coins (for the adults too!)

We were then led through our journey to the “North Pole”, where we visited different areas as we made our way to see Santa.

I won’t spoil any of the magic, but Lily had a fantastic time. Some of the very young children were a bit restless as you have to wait around at the start, and we couldn’t really hear the lady speaking when we first visited the “North Pole”, but aside from that, there were no complaints at all.

Visiting the North Pole

Once you reach the North Pole, you visit a traditional-themed sweet shop and tavern where you use your elf coins to “buy” some sweets or chocolate, squash and hot chocolate to drink. You don’t need any real money for this as it is all included, but a great way to fuel up for the adventures… even the grown ups can get some!

You then journey through different areas of the North Pole, visiting elves along the way. Lily is at that age where she loves to get involved with all activities like this, so had loads of fun, from sorting parcels and helping fix the toy machine with cogs, through to singing songs with the reindeer and ringing the bells.

Her favourite area was probably the polar bear, which is really quite special. When you sign up to the adventure you put in the children’s names, age, and what they like, so the magical polar bear then remembers all their information. Lily was amazed and hasn’t stopped telling everyone that the polar bear knew her name!

You also get your ‘passport’ stamped along the way from different elves when you complete the activities. The passport and the ticket for the grownups are also a free “return ticket” to visit the National Forest Adventure Farm again before the spring, which I think is a lovely idea.

Visiting Santa

Everywhere was themed along the way, beautifully decorated, and you really felt you were transported to the North Pole.

Before you get to the end you visit Mrs Claus’ kitchen where you decorate gingerbread men, before being led to visit Santa in his grotto.

Santa was really friendly, and took his time to speak to Lily in his beautiful little grotto. Unfortunately his camera wasn’t working, so we didn’t get the proper photo with him, so I don’t know if you need to pay for those ones at the end, but he happily took a photo with Lily with my phone too. Maybe Santa needs a camera for Christmas? 🙂

Once you’ve seen Santa, you then get taken into his toy shop. This is where you meet an elf and can pick up your photos with Santa (again, unsure if you need to buy them as our’s didn’t work!), and then you get to choose any toy from the toy shop.

There were so many fantastic things to choose from, suitable for all ages – from cuddly toys, through to fun activities.

Lily chose a huge clay snow globe making set, which kept her entertained for at least 2 hours when we got home, and now she loves her snow globes!

A truly special festive day out this Christmas

I really recommend the North Pole Adventure. It promised to take you on a magical Christmas adventure, and it really did. Lily was buzzing the whole way round, and the short sections along the way made it go really fast as you didn’t spend long at each stage.

The decorations were really fantastic and they had clearly put a great deal of hard work into creating the whole experience. The staff were also so friendly and made it so special for the children to enjoy.

It may cost more than some Christmas adventures but you get so much for your entrance price. Not only is it so special, but you also get your drinks and treats, gingerbread men, nearly 2 hours of the whole fantastic experience, and a lovely toy at the end after a 1-2-1 meeting with Santa. It was all so personalised too, making it even more special – and you get a ticket back into the adventure farm for both the adults and children.

What’s more, you also have the whole of the National Forest Adventure Farm to enjoy for the rest of the day – including the huge indoor play area, so always something to do, whatever the weather.

Check out our review here to find out more about what you can do at the National Forest Adventure Farm!

To get yourself booked onto the North Pole Adventure, click here

Tips for visiting with families

• You can’t take buggies or pushchairs with you but there is a buggy park at the start
• The whole experience takes just under 2 hours, so make sure you visit the toilets before you go as you’ll probably have to ask an elf at the North Pole otherwise!
• There are special autism-friendly sessions on the 24th & 30th November, and December 1st & 8th with increased lighting, smaller groups and reduced sound
• Younger children under 1 year are free (without a gift), but remember the experience lasts at least 1hr 45mins so they may enjoy it more when they are a little older and can get involved with the activities
• Wheelchairs can be taken on the adventure – just select the wheelchair option when you book online
• You don’t need wellies as it is all indoors, unless you want to visit the farm, but make sure you layer up – it is cold on the farm and then gets really warm as you go round… especially by the end!
• Tickets are cheaper when booked online up to midnight before you want to go – just be wary that some dates are already booking up fast so don’t miss out!