Santa- where to go Ards, North Down, Greater Belfast area

winnie101

Hi!

It is that time of year again. Anybody been to see a good Santa yet? We went to DownPatrick last year it was ok and a bit overpriced.

Going to take my daughter on Sunday, any recommendations.

Thanks

caz2703

Went to Donegore at the weekend and I have to say it was overpriced for what it was. £30 for 3 adults, 1 child and I even had to pay for a baby who was fast asleep through the whole thing. In return we got to see 2 reindeer, 2 donkeys, lots of mud while we waited an eternity to walk up a very short path to the marshmallow cooking area where we were then sent down a very short path to wait for our Santa. The kids got a toy each but the eldest threw a paddy when he saw Santa and the youngest was out for the count. There was a cute carousel but no adults allowed so useless for us and a guy collecting who made some comment about finding Scrooges best mate when someone was putting money in. No offense, I don't mind charity collections but having paid £30 for what little we got, being practically forced to donate to a charity the guy wasn't even 100% sure about was a bit too much. After that was Santas Workshop but by this stage DS was extremely grumpy from standing around doing nothing and only seeing fir trees surrounding him. Inside the workshop were some goats, a sheep with her 2 lambs and the opportunity to get a photo taken in Santas chair for a fee.

I heard that there had been too many people allowed in at once earlier but it took easily 30 mins of walking a couple of feet at a time from being allowed out of the tent to seeing Santa. Most of that time was spent on a muddy slope trying to stop the buggy from going backwards. Thank god it was a dry day. So what did we get for the money:

Adults for £5 (each): 1 piece of shortbread, 1 chipolata sausage, 1 very small polystyrene cup of non-alcoholic mulled wine, 1 toasted marshmallow and a dose of the cold
Child for £10: much the same as above but orange squash instead of mulled wine (if they're interested) plus a toy which I've found for £5 online
Baby for £5: none of the above (apart from the cold) plus a toy

I have to say I was very disappointed. The parking was a nightmare, the waiting time was a nightmare and value for money was poor. The 'trail' could have been walked in a couple of minutes with no queues and there was very little to keep the little 'uns amused while you stood around in the freezing cold.

Fathero3

Anybody tried Woodlawn?...

http://www.woodlawn.co.uk/news/default.asp?itemId=3&Id=227&va=0

BigAl94

Try Hillmount Garden Centre which is supporting very worthy causes http://www.hillmount.co.uk/christmas/

caz2703

BigAl94 wrote: »

Try Hillmount Garden Centre which is supporting very worthy causes http://www.hillmount.co.uk/christmas/

Even just walking around the Xmas section here was more magical and Christmassy than Donegore. The DS loved the trains going around the ceiling.

Edit: did you change your post BigAl as your original link went to Hillside? Hillside is where I saw the trains, not Hillmount.

winnie101

I thought Woodlawn worked out quite expensive £11 for gift and photo. I think by the sounds of it £5 goes to the photographer.

Hillmount is lovely but have done it a number of times too. Maybe Hillside would be an option.

starnight_2

We've down Castle Ward and Mountstewart. Hillmount this year, so looking forward to it.

Mount Stewart was freezing, but that was last year, and 8 yr old son was kept busy enough with the trail and activities. He got a good few minutes with Santa, and loved using the map to find his way about.

Castle Ward was good. The kids didn't get to spend time with Santa alone, they go in as a group, but it was worth it. Santa sits in his chair by the fire and the kids sit around him while he reads them a story, then they get their gifts.

Both were, IIRC, £10 for children. You just took a camera and got your own photos, and tea and nibbles were provided.

totallybroke_2

went to hillmount on sunday, we have been the last 2 years also. cannot fault it. and its all for the childrens hospice

amandajim36

Hillside garden centre is well worth a visit, im a helper this year as its for notthern ireland cancer fund for children, so for 2 days ive been dressed as an elf. has a lovely walk down to santas grotto with xmas displays along the way. u get a photo and a present. kids r £7 adults £1.50 and all proceeds to NICFC

Artofdookie

Agree about Donegore, was dragged up at the weekend and its a total waste of money