Visit

 

The Thursford museum between Fakenham and Holt has already set the bar for Christmas happenings with its Christmas Spectacular show, which sells out months in advance and attracts visitors from across the country by the coach load. This year however, that bar has been raised even higher through the fabulous multi-million pound Santa’s Magical Journey Into Christmas attraction.

 

 

Created especially for 8’s and under (for whom the 3 hour musical stage show is not really suitable), the huge festive installation is housed within a purpose built 40,000 square foot hall and took two months to construct. The largest attraction of its kind in the country, it will remain as a permanent fixture at Thursford and is at least as wondrous as anything you’d find at Disneyland Paris or the like. A truly magical adventure through snow-covered worlds of lifelike, animated polar bears and penguins, talking elves and reindeer, all sympathetically arranged around some of the marvellous agricultural steam and road engines used and collected by the late George Cushing who founded the Thursford Collection. The journey culminates with a visit with Father Christmas in his life-size fairy-book house. Naturally, every child who visits Santa will receive a wonderful present, and rather than the usual ‘economical’ souvenir that some (obviously fraudulent!) Santa’s offer away, these are superb, quality gifts, worth at least the cost of the entrance ticket. This is also a Santa who has done his homework, knowing the name and age of each child who comes to visit him, which makes the experience feel even more personal and special.

 

 

Whether we see a white Christmas this year or not, a walk through the twinkling lights and enchanting atmosphere enhanced by seasonal songs will transport adults, children and grandchildren alike to a magical Christmas world. Even the most cynical among us can’t fail to be de-scrooged after exposure to snowmen engaged in a snowball fight, teddy bear families, fluffy fishing seals and a toy-making factory complete with hard-working elves.

 

 

After your magical journey, why not venture outside where the Christmas fun continues. Traditional farm buildings have been transformed into a small village of gift shops with a touch of Dickensian charm. These include the Christmas Shop, which is renowned for the large range of unique festive items available to suit all ages.

 

 

The Thursford Collection,

Thursford,

Fakenham,

Norfolk

NR21 OAS.