Globetrotting In High Heels: Let it Snow!

Posted by Roxanne on Dec 1, 2011 in Getaways | 2 comments

One place that is surely on everyone’s wish list at this time of year is Lapland – particularly as the weather in the UK isn’t looking particularly promising for a white Christmas. However, it’s the lucky few who have the budget to stretch to a Lapland adventure, particularly at the most expensive time of year.

Luckily, there are some fabulous alternatives in the UK, and last weekend I was walking in a Winter Wonderland at the Snowdome in Tamworth (I left the heels at home for this one!)

This fabulous Christmassy experience is perfect for families with young children, although I must admit to thoroughly enjoying myself.

Even the approach to the Snowdome is festive, with ‘snow’ pumped into the air by the entrance, and once inside you’re greeted by a jaw-dropping huge Christmas tree, dressed with giant icicles – so far, so fantastically Christmassy.

The Winter Wonderland adventure begins when you’re met by a rather energetic elf that explains the experience and gets the kids suitably excited. When the doors open you’re straight into a fabulously festively dressed space lined with twinkling Christmas trees galore. The ground is thickly covered with real snow (don’t ask me how but trust me and my poor frozen hands, it’s the real deal), and giant candy canes hang overhead.

For the next half an hour kids – and big kids – can be pulled around on sledges and enjoy tubing down the variety of ramps set up inside. The perimeter of the space is decorated with such delights as a gingerbread house, candy covered tree and cute penguins, so that everywhere you look there’s a festive feast for the eyes.

Half an hour and a fair few snowball fights later, a bell rang to usher us into the theatre where we were treated to a Rainbow show, with George, Zippy and super special guest Santa. Although I suspect at this point that there was more excitement from the adults – and a fair few blank looks from the kids for whom Rainbow is well and truly before their time. My tribe soon got into the swing of things however, and the show was the perfect length of time to maintain their excitement.

The final stop on our Winter Wonderland experience was the animal area complete with the fluffiest bunnies and angora goats imaginable. Cute little piggy’s, donkeys and chicks are also in residence, but the star of the show has to be the real life Santa’s reindeer. Also in this area is a sweet little Santa house complete with sleigh parked up outside, and a letter writing area and post box. On exiting the Winter Wonderland each child was treated to a chocolate Thornton’s lollipop and grown-ups were also remembered with a chocolate sweet.

The Winter Wonderland experience at the Snowdome, Tamworth lasted around 90 minutes in total, and was the perfect family treat to get us all in the mood for the big day. I was impressed by how well done the whole experience was, even down to the cleanliness of the animals. No corners have been cut in order to offer a quality experience, and it shows.

After our Winter Wonderland adventure, the boys and I relaxed with a hot chocolate while taking a look at the Snowdome’s activity programme. Tubing, Sledging, skiing, snowboarding and snow play are all on offer at this snowy indoor playground, and there’s also a flume pool and spa for those who fancy a break from the white stuff.

I can see the Winter Wonderland becoming an annual tradition in our house, but if it’s a touch too far for you to travel then similar snow play experiences are offered at The Chill Factor in Manchester, The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead, and the SNO!zones in Milton Keynes, Castleford and Braehead.

For all the latest offers on fabulous, festive family adventures then keep an eye on Groupon for daily deals – who needs Lapland, eh?