REVIEW: Farmer Palmer's Christmas Experience

If you've visited a few Christmas grottos before, I'm sure that, like us, you will have found them overpriced and not that much fun, probably waiting in the cold for ages for a minute-long interaction and token gift from Santa!

Well, that is most certainly not the case at the Farmer Palmer's Christmas Experience - team at the popular farm park have clearly lovingly and carefully planned out the whole experience.

After booking online, you will be allocated your time slot after you arrive at reception but you can arrive any time from opening and enjoy all the normal activities; the bouncy castle, trucks, indoor soft play, outdoor play area and the animals.

Our slot was for 10am, so we had 30 minutes of play during which the kids could see the enhanced barn and the staff getting it all ready, so the anticipation and excitement were building.

We headed over at our allotted time and a very friendly elf explained the process; upon entering the barn there are different areas you walk through, all with a different festive theme. A bell rings to signal you to move on to the next area - such a great idea because only you and your group are in any area at one time and there is plenty of time to enjoy each section.

There was no waiting around in the freezing cold, we were warmly welcomed straight in for a festive light walk, then on to a photo frame opportunity, where Farmer Palmer’s tea member takes a gorgeous photo so you can get all the group in.

Next came our favourite - a panto dame and elf acting a funny sketch of the elf up to shenanigans; they really interacted with the kids and made them giggle. As you would expect, there are animal experiences too; the rabbits and guinea pigs are in The Grinch's village, there's a pony and donkey, then on to another photo opportunity in Santa's sleigh.

We were then covered in artificial snow while viewing the reindeer (artificial) before meeting the big man himself!

The grotto has been so beautifully decorated, you wouldn't think you're in a barn. You sit on a cosy sofa while Father Christmas chats with the children - my two girls were for once stuck for words as they looked on in wonderment!

Then on to the elves workshop, the penultimate area, where they ask the children if they would like a cuddly toy, one with wheels or something creative. The final area is a chimney where miraculously, the presents the kids have asked for, appear! I bet each gift is worth at least £10. I won't give too much away so as not to spoil the surprise for you and your children.

After all that excitement, it was time to wind down with a refreshment and play with the toys in the fantastic cafe. The adjoining soft play was open too, so we could relax with a coffee while the kids got a second wind and had a play in there - it's safe and you can sit around the play area so you can always see the kids.

And no visit to Farmer Palmer’s is complete without seeing all the animals, so we had a good walk around and finished off in the outdoor play area.

We've seen a few comments saying that, at £52 for a family, it's expensive, but I really must stress that you aren't just experiencing the grotto; you have the whole Enhanced Barn experience, a great gift and access to all of Farmer Palmer's, all day.

We arrived at 9.30 and left at 2.30 so it's pretty much a full day out, which you'd be hard pressed to get anywhere else at this price. I know some light trails that are almost that price for just one ticket. It’s a festive event that will stay with you and the kids forever. It really is wonderful!

The Christmas experience is running from 3rd to 23rd December inclusive. Click here to book your tickets https://www.farmerpalmers.co.uk/events/christmas-at-farmer-palmers-2022/. There is also a Twilight Event for a super atmospheric evening of meeting Farmer Christmas, Madam Claus and all the Elves under the twinkling Christmas Lights.