Lapland in Northumberland

06/11/2004

An alternative Lapland Christmas experience is being created by Northumbrian Water on the North East’s doorstep amid the scenic setting of Kielder Water.

Families will be able to marvel at the magic of the Kielder Winter Wonderland which includes:

The enchanted barn where children can join the woodland elves workshop to help make toys and hear a special festive tale.
A visit to Santa’s post room to write letters and pop requests in the box.
Sing songs, watch magic and meet Father Christmas in his grotto. He will know all the children’s names.
Join another musical elf for a woodland fairy tale procession and secrets hunt on an interactive Christmas story.
Skate on a specially frozen ice rink overlooking the lakeside panorama.
Build an elf garden at an arts and crafts workshop.
Meet Santa’s special owls like Harry Potter’s.
 
Northumbrian Water’s project manager, Carol Evison, said: “This really is much more than an ordinary Santa’s grotto. We are reinventing the magic of Christmas with a truly unique individual experience.

“Unlike Lapland we can’t guarantee the snow but we can guarantee hours of entertainment and definitely without a midgie in sight!”

Professional story-teller musicians provided by the Dodgy Clutch Theatre Group will lead the festivities.

Kielder Winter Wonderland opens on Saturday 20 November. The ice rink is open seven days a week and the total experience is available on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays until the week before Christmas when it is then available every day of the week.

Northumbrian Water has also invited 1,500 primary schools throughout the region to take part in a competition asking children to capture their dream of a winter wonderland in art. The best entry by a pupil will win a trip to the Kielder Winter Wonderland for more than 60 of their classmates.

Additional attractions to be paid for separately include:

Pony rides and pony and sleigh rides.
Christmas tree sales from the nearby Kielder Castle.
Heated indoor swimming pool.
Treasure hunt.
Hot Christmas fayre from the elves kitchen.
Present buying in the shop.
Crazy golf.

Carol added: “For families who really want to make the experience even more memorable they may still be able to take advantage of a short break stay in one of our luxury lakeside log cabins.

“As well as offering this marvellous family Christmas experience it is also part of Northumbrian Water’s support of the North Tyne Valley providing year-round attractions at Kielder. Events like this also create more work for the local community.”