FREE Family Fun Weekend. It looks busy. It is Santa’s first day to his Grotto, Ice Skating is discounted and there are a number of FREE events this weekend. Consequently we may not be able to answer your online queries so quickly at the moment.
The following are a selection of frequently asked questions, here, relating specifically to our FREE Family Fun Weekend.
What’s Free this weekend?
FREE Frosty Bounce • FREE Cuddle experience in the Pet Shop (11am – 4pm) • FREE Festive Face Painting (11am – 4pm) • FREE Fun – ALL WEEKEND!
In addition, entrance to the centre is free, parking is free.
Please note Frosty is subject to good weather and may not be inflated in strong winds. This weekend weather looks ok however, each morning we will check and announce on social media in the event of Frosty being unavailable.
I’ve never been before – where do I go?
Once you are parked and enter via the main entrance, the whole Winter Wonderland will be in front of you. Upon entering, the Ice Rink and Santa’s Grotto will be straight ahead through the Christmas displays, decorations and giftware – just head straight until you find it. At the main entrance, Bruno’s Pet Shop can be found to the left (For Meet the Animals). Canalside Restaurant and Potting Shed to the right. Our on site toilets and baby changing facilities are on the right too near the tills.
Ice Skating
How can I book Ice Skating for this weekend?
You can check availability and book online here:
https://www.wlgv.co.uk/whiltonlocksgardenvillage/product/festive-family-fun-ice-skating/
Subject to spaces left for each time slot, you can also arrive and pay on the day. Our busiest skates look, at the time of writing, to be 11am and 2pm.
Can I prebook a sit on Banana?
You can. Sometimes it is good to choose your Banana first (as they have limited availability) then choose your Ice Skate slot to match.
You can check availability and book online here:
https://www.wlgv.co.uk/whiltonlocksgardenvillage/product/ice-skating-banana/
How much is Ice Skating?
This weekend sees a 25% saving on our normal weekend prices. It offers the cheapest weekend ice skate this season.
Prices (which include the discount) are as follows:
Adults: £9 • Children (14 and under): £7.50
Extras: Push-a-long Penguins £4 • Sit on Banana: £8
…and there are NO BOOKING FEES
I’ve booked 11am for Ice Skating – I’m so excited
That’s great – we recommend you arrive at the Ice Rink at least 15 minutes prior to your start time for ice skate fitting and a safety briefing.
Ice Skating starts promptly on the hour and each session lasts 45 minutes. Once the rink is cleared, after each session, it is freshly prepared for the next session.
Can I bring my own skates?
Yes you can. For those without skates, free skate hire is included in the ticket price.
We can’t skate – but just want to skate, help!
In addition to the standard single blade skates we have twin bladed skates and shoe ice grippers. For the younger ones there are push-a-long penguins, polar bears and sit on bananas.
I’ve booked but forgot to book a Penguin/Banana
You can add a Banana to a separate order and pre-pay online (ensure you have the right time slot though). You can order immediately prior to your skate on site, at our ice skate booking-in desk, Penguins or Bananas however they will be subject to availability.
It’s raining/snowing/it’s tropically sunny
Ice skating at Whilton Locks Winter Wonderland is fully undercover and all sessions will take place whatever the weather. We have checked the weekend forecast and it isn’t set to be tropical!
Can I take a ???? on the Ice?
Pushchair…Yes (clean wheels though, please)
Wheelchair….Yes
Food and Drink….No
Dragon…..No!
Dog….er No
Dog in a Pushchair….No!
Santa
When will Santa be at WLGV?
Santa will be in his grotto 11am – 3pm both Saturday and Sunday.
How much is it to see Santa – and what is included in the price?
It costs £9.99 per child. Accompanying parents/adults are not charged. The price includes entrance to the Grotto, a visit to Santa and a premium gift. This year, there are two choices of gift from Father Christmas. (Gifts subject to availability).
Can I book Santa online?
Not this weekend, no. We run a queuing system, with lots of fun activities to keep the children interested whilst they wait.
This year we are also offering a bookable Toddler visit to Santa in his Grotto and exclusive SEN visit’s to Santa. These are available on different days, please check the website for further details.
Disabled Access
Our flat site is fully accessible to wheelchairs and disabled.
SEN Access
This year we are offering exclusive Ice Skating sessions and visits to Santa’s Grotto (Please see website for dates and times) however, we fully welcome, and encourage SEN at WLGV any day, to any event, including this weekend.
Meet the Animals
What, where and when?
Our Meet the Animals sessions will take place within our Bruno’s Pet Shop and will be taking place throughout both days, 11am – 4pm. This is a free event.
Food
Our restaurant is open both days with a wide selection of snacks and meals. We offer a fantastic all day breakfast, specials and a full roast on Sunday. You do not need to pre-book.
We offer a full range of meals for those with allergies or special requirements.
Ok, I can’t take my dog on the ice – what about the restaurant?
We welcome well behaved dogs on site and also in the Potting Shed restaurant area. This is located next to our main Canalside Restaurant and all Canalside meals are available within this area – we even offer a range of meals for your dogs!
Cool – I can’t order though, as I can’t take my dog into the Canalside Restaurant.
If your dog cannot be left with someone from your group there are dog crates and beds, in the Potting Shed, your dog can safely wait for you, whilst you order your meal(s).
Photos
WLGV staff may take photos and/or video over the weekend for marketing purposes. If you do not wish to being filmed please contact eventsteam@wlgv.co.uk – we are happy to blur out any group shots that you may be within that may subsequently appear on our website/social media. Please Share and Tag your own photos on Social Media so we can see the fun too!
I only came for a Real Christmas Tree
Thank you. People travel from miles around for our fantastic selection of quality Christmas Trees. The trees this year, can be found near the ice rink. Remember if you need your Christmas Tree delivering we can!
I’ve had a great time – who can I tell?
Everyone! Tell your friends and family, tell the world via social media, take photos and tag us, write us a review – share the love.
On site we have Review Cards to fill in – we’d love to hear from you. You can fill these in and hand to a member of staff, or write reviews direct to Google, Facebook or TripAdvisor.
Something went wrong what can I do?
If any element of your trip this weekend did not meet your expectations or you feel something went wrong, we will be really disappointed. We are expecting a high volume of visitors for our Family Fun Weekend and all staff will be busy with customers and may not be in a position to help you with your concerns, for which we apologise.* Any queries or comments can be sent in writing, via email, to eventsteam@wlgv.co.uk before 9pm on Monday 25th November. We will endeavour to answer all queries within 48 hours of receipt. Thank you for your understanding.
*If your query relates to food or discrepancies with payments and/or change we will, of course, address these concerns on site, at the time.
The on-site Management reserve the right to refuse admission to the site/activities and may override any comments written here.
On-site Staff/Management decisions are final. Thank you.
Let’s all have a great day!