New attraction brings Lapland’s magic to Kent

A brand new visitor experience comes to Kent. Lapland UK is bringing the magic of a Lapland Christmas daytrip all the way to the Bedgebury Forest in Goudhurst, Kent, for five weeks from 24 November 2007.

Father Christmas, real reindeer, husky dogs, Raymond Briggs’ ‘The Snowman’, Hollywood snow and ice special effects and rocking horse makers to the Queen (toy factory) will all be part of this unique experience set deep in the 2000 acre Bedgebury Forest in Kent. This ambitious attraction with take a family four hours to experience and will be the best Christmas adventure this country has ever seen.

“Bringing a high quality Christmas experience to this country has been my dream since visiting Lapland with my wife and our four boys in 2002,” said creator Mike Battle. “But what galvanised me into action were the potential environmental benefits. Until Lapland UK the only option for a magical Christmas experience for young families was an arduous daytrip flying to Lapland and back (depositing 2 tonnes of carbon).”

Lapland UK will be offering timed entry tickets, ensuring that everyone enjoys their day-trip without feeling crowded or having to face lengthy queues. From the moment of booking, the whole event will feel just like a real trip to Lapland, but without the need to fly!

The trip also includes a personal invitation from Father Christmas that arrives in the post.

The drive to the Bedgebury Forest will be more manageable than the time (10/11 hours return) spent travelling to Lapland with tired young children.

Uniformed Air Lapland staff will check ‘passengers’ in for a fantasy flight with Raymond Briggs’ ‘The Snowman’.

Emerging from the ‘transporter’ visitors will magically find themselves in an ice and snow-covered forest. The falling snow is an eco-friendly world class special effect snow as used in Hollywood films (Narnia, Harry Potter, and James Bond).

There are many activities for children and adults to see and do to earn a place on Father Christmas’s ‘good list’ including becoming ‘North Pole craftsmen’ in the toy factory and making gingerbread.

There will also be the opportunity to meet real reindeer and husky dogs ,visit the Saami village (indigenous people of Lapland) for traditional story telling, send a letter at the post office, listen to toy soldiers playing classical Christmas music on their trumpets and many more surprises, whilst enjoying a complimentary mulled wine.

The highlight for children will be meeting Father Christmas himself in his snow covered woodland home.

Every child’s visit is personalised from information provided by parents at the time of booking (favourite hobby/teacher, etc), making children believe they are truly in the presence of the real Father Christmas!

Children and parents alike will receive beautiful gifts to treasure; hand crafted age appropriate wooden puzzles for the children and an heirloom edition of the ‘The Night Before Christmas’ for parents.

This whole magical experience, taking approximately 4 hours, will be remembered for a lifetime. The Lapland UK ticket also includes all day admission to Bedgebury Forest & Pinetum, allowing visitors to extend their day out.

Or for the ultimate indulgence, Lapland UK in partnership with the Hotel du Vin in Tunbridge Wells has created two stunning packages: Lapland UK Breakfast Club and Crystal Lunch. Here guests can enjoy a champagne reception, reindeer ice sculpture, award-winning dining in an exquisite banqueting room and receive limited edition gifts before journeying on to Bedgebury.

Although Lapland UK is centred on a traditional family visit to Father Christmas, no one will be left out of the fun! With German Christmas markets in mind for those who just want to soak up the festive atmosphere, the “Twilight ticket” has been especially created and includes a complimentary mulled wine (minimal carbon footprint when compared to flying to Germany).

How much does it cost? This magical and memorable Christmas experience is available to all with tickets and prices start at just £90 for a family of four, including gifts and benefits to the value of £55. Even the top priced tickets are 90% cheaper than the cost of a family day-trip to Lapland (£1500). Lapland UK has made a particular point of making their ticket price as inclusive as possible with no irritating hidden extras – (no booking, parking, or postage fees).

The cost environmentally is minimal too; a family carbon footprint will be 0.01 instead of 2 tonnes.

Lapland UK is the answer to the whole family enjoying a truly memorable, magical Christmas experience, but without the need to fly!

For more information and to book this new Christmas experience visit Laplanduk.co.uk.