Starting a day with chilly weather and rain early in the morning may not sound like the perfect way to kick off a festive outing. However, in the UK, attending an outdoor event always carries the risk of unpredictable weather. Heading to a theme park in late November during a downpour can dampen your Christmas spirit.
Arriving at Chessington’s Winter Trail, I found myself feeling a bit like a Scrooge or Grinch due to the traffic jams and freezing temperatures. Yet, as soon as I entered the park and saw the beautifully decorated trees covered in artificial snow and giant Christmas ornaments, my festive mood instantly lifted.
The festive atmosphere at the park, with cheerful elves greeting visitors at every corner, made it hard not to get caught up in the holiday joy. Despite the rain and fewer crowds, we witnessed elves putting on a lively pantomime on stage, seemingly unaffected by the cold.
The initial part of the winter trail involved writing letters to Santa Claus, with friendly elves available to help. They even handed out cookies baked by Mrs. Claus, much to the delight of the kids.
We decided to join the long queue to meet Santa, but there was entertainment provided to keep us engaged while waiting. We were given headphones for a silent disco experience, with stations playing festive music and an audiobook of a Christmas story, according to reports from the Express.
This entertainment made waiting with children much more manageable and enjoyable.
As a parent of two kids, one in primary school and the other in secondary school, I’ve encountered various Santas over the years. Some were grumpy, some lacked interaction with the kids, and others were overly enthusiastic to the point of being overwhelming.
However, I must admit that the Santa we met at Chessington was one of the best we’ve ever encountered.
Upon reaching the front of the line, an elf guided us through a snowy forest to a cozy log cabin where Santa was waiting. I noticed several log cabins hidden away, likely accommodating multiple Santas to manage the queues efficiently without the children noticing.
Inside the cabin, the children sat next to Santa in his beautifully decorated grotto, by a crackling fireplace. Our Santa was incredibly patient with the kids, and despite the busy environment, we never felt rushed.
Even though my children are at an age where they are less captivated by Santa, they left feeling excited. We then explored Santa’s toy workshop, led by more cheerful elves, and the kids received a plush toy as a souvenir of their visit.
During the festive season, some rides are operational in the park. We enjoyed child-friendly attractions like the vintage carousel and the Gruffalo River Ride, which surprisingly thrilled my eldest child, even though he had outgrown the Gruffalo phase years ago.
The tickets also included access to the SEA LIFE center and zoo, although we didn’t have the chance to visit them, showing that one could easily spend a whole day at the park.
For lunch, we headed to the barbecue Smokehouse, offering its usual barbecue menu along with some Christmas specials. Unfortunately, this part of the park seemed less efficient, resulting in a 45-minute wait for our food, although the staff were apologetic for the delay.
Once served, the adult meals were quite satisfying.
I enjoyed festive loaded chips topped with turkey, stuffing, and other Christmas dinner trimmings, while my husband relished the tender, melt-in-the-mouth brisket. However, the children’s meals didn’t meet expectations.
At £8 for two fish fingers and a small jacket potato, the children’s meal seemed pricey, even by theme park standards, and no drink was included. Nevertheless, having a warm spot to rest was appreciated.
All in all, Chessington’s Christmas event offered a wonderful family day out, catering to various age groups. It was a pleasant change to enjoy a day at a theme park without enduring long queues for every activity, thanks to the efficient organization by Santa’s team of diligent elves.
Chessington’s Winter Trail runs on selected dates until December 31, with tickets starting from £34 per person for the Winter Trail and Christmas Village. More information and ticket bookings can be found here.
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