We ‘went to Lapland’ in the UK and it was a magical festive experience

Christmas is just under a month away now, and the festivities have truly kicked off with the opening of Christmas markets and events all over the UK. 

And if you’ve got young kids who are already very excited, why not treat them to a trip to Lapland before the big day arrives? 

An ordinary leisure centre in Liverpool has underwent a total festive transformation for the holiday period, with every nook and cranny of the venue decked out in festive splendour.

Otterspool Adventure is currently offering an authentic North Pole experience that people of all ages will absolutely love.

Liverpool Echo writer Kate Lally recently visited with her son, and couldn’t believe the Christmas wonderland that awaited them as soon as they stepped inside. 

She wrote: “Elves were on hand to greet us, before my little one was given his own “ticket” to the North Pole, before we boarded a magical train. We were then treated to a Christmas show, before heading to the toy workshop

“There was plenty of singing and dancing before the kids made their own teddy bears, with my son convinced he had actually worked alongside Santa’s Christmas crew. Then we headed over to pay Mrs Claus a visit.”

In her warm and inviting cottage, they decorated gingerbread cookies, then spent some time ice skating – and even stopped by the post office where the kids could pen and post letters to Santa.

After enjoying some toasted marshmallows, the journey ended with a visit to Santa’s grotto to meet the cheerful man in red himself.

A magical trail adorned with sparkling lights and “snow” guided Kate to a Father Christmas who was convincingly real. Parents are all too familiar with Santas that don’t quite fit the bill, but there was no question of authenticity here.

Kate said: “My son very much believes he met the real deal, and I can’t take him to see any others now because he could well smell a rat.

“We had a magical day pretending we were at Lapland, and it’s made this part-Grinch feel very festive already.”

To visit this fun festive experience, head over to Otterspool Adventure at Otterspool Drive, L17 5AL

Entry starts at £29.99 per person, which includes a meeting with Santa in his Grotto, a present from his toy shop, creating a teddy bear in the elves’ “make a bear” workshop, a festive show, gingerbread decorating, and access to several attractions like a skating rink.

It’s available until December 24 (Christmas Eve).