Winter Wonderland Norwich!
Winter Wonderland Norwich has been keeping the Norfolk Showground warm for a couple of weeks now but we are proof that you can never be too late to this Christmas party after our rather festive visit this afternoon! This was one the big kids were mega excited about as quite a lot of things we do are mainly geared up for the little ones. Most of the little stuff is ok for big ones too while the big stuff just doesn’t invite tiny tots however, here, and it’s a different story!
The skating was magical, the perfect real ice rink with an efficient queue to get in for your time slot and afterwards to get your shoes back (top tip there is to give them the boots paired together properly and heel in towards them for them to scan quickly)! There are penguins for smaller children (and me) to keep their balance and honestly, it’s as good as Somerset House (which we love but is so far to travel to) and I LOVED the giant glitter ball in the middle. It all felt very special!
I’d say you could go with children of any age and find lots to see and do and entertain yourselves with. There’s a lovely mix so whether you are in pre-school entertainment mode, trying to engage the tweens and teens or mixing it up with a bit of both (as we are) you will find something fun at Winter Wonderland Norwich! My only problem was that it was SO clod we didn’t last as long as I’d have liked and I really wanted to go on the big wheel but alas, we didn’t get around to it. Florence is going back with friends for another skate because she LOVED it so much and I will encourage her to do it then as it looks amazing and the views must be spectacular. It’s on until the 3rd of January so I may very well go back myself just for this!
On until the 3rd of January this is a smorgasbord of entertainment in the form of Bavarian style Christmas market, stalls selling hot and cold, sweet and savoury treats, licenced bars, rides (with Santa’s Wonderland for the littler ones), the Grotto and the cherry on the top of the hot chocolate itself, a real ice rink! I love how cosmopolitan it feels, like we might be anywhere, but Norwich and the children (all the children) LOVED our visit!
Now, here are the details all the parents need to know:
It’s vast and obviously this is the show ground so wellies or appropriate footwear for squelch are necessary. The rides and, especially the wheel are gloriously festive with lights a twinkle. It was great to be there in the day-time, and see it properly but at night-time it makes it feel much more festive so a mixture of the two weas perfect for us! It’s a lovely place to be and enjoy company with family and friends over a Christmas drink and something yummy to eat while the whole place is a real mooching hive! Shop, eat, have fun and be merry!
Prices to get in are £5 on the gate (£4 in advance) for anyone over the age of 3, or £15 for a family of four (must contain one adult).
Rides are all paid for using credits which you can either buy in advance or when there. One credit costs £1 and rides range from between 2 credits to 6 credits each with the thrill-seeking rides being in the more expensive bracket and the more family friendly things being at the lower end. It can add up so my top tip would be to purchase on-line and plan in advance what you want to do so that you’ve a set budget which you won’t break!
The ice skating is a very reasonable (when you look at Somerset House and others) £10.50 for children aged 4-12 and £14.50 for ages 13+ with a family ticket costing £45 and skate aides are £5. The skating, when you book in advance, can be booked with a free entry ticket to Winter Wonderland which is a real bonus!
The grotto, for a visit to see Father Christmas costs £8.99 per child which includes a nice gift, and the queue moves very quickly which is a blessing!
It’s a great day out, expensive but lots of fun and I’d say worth the treat and the big kids absolutely LOVED it, having a great time on the wonderful ice-skating rink. We’d definitely go back and actually, I think Florence is going to with some friends. It’s worth noting that they will require ID if children look older than they are, and you want the lower rate prices for them so for the 3-year-olds and 12-year-olds this is a must. Flo could be 16 looking at her sometimes but she is only 12 so she will be taking her ID next time for sure!
Wrap up VERY warm and wear good mud squelching boots!
Book in advance for the best prices and to ensure the times you’d like for skating through their website, linked here!
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