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A whole festive day out – with a very special visit to Father Christmas at the heart of it.
Christmas at Lappa Valley is much more than a visit to a grotto.
From the moment you board the train at Benny Halt, your Father Christmas booking includes your festive journey into Lappa Valley, admission to the park, a special visit to Father Christmas, a present for every child, festive refreshments and plenty of time to enjoy the attractions that are open throughout your visit.
There’s no separate Lappa Valley admission ticket to buy – it’s all part of your Christmas booking.
Your Father Christmas at Lappa Valley booking includes:
Even four-legged family members can join in the Christmas fun, with dog tickets also including a present.
Arrive at Benny Halt, climb aboard and enjoy the journey through the winter countryside to East Wheal Rose.
When you arrive, Lappa Valley will be dressed for Christmas, with festive music, decorations and plenty to explore.
Your booked train time is the start of your visit – it is not the exact time that you will see Father Christmas. Once you arrive at East Wheal Rose, our elves will let you know when it is time for your family to make your way to the grotto.
That means there’s no need for your Christmas experience to feel rushed. You can enjoy the railway, play, explore and soak up the atmosphere around your visit to Father Christmas.
Of course, there’s one person everybody has come to see.
Families will be invited into our Christmas grotto for their special visit with Father Christmas, with his elves on hand to help make the experience magical.
Every child will receive a good-quality, age-appropriate present to take home, followed by a festive treat and drink.
And we haven’t forgotten the grown-ups – adults can enjoy a mince pie and a hot chocolate, tea or coffee too.
Afterwards, there’s no need to head straight home. You’re welcome to stay and enjoy everything that’s open at Lappa Valley for as long as you wish.
One of the things we love about Christmas at Lappa Valley is that it can be as relaxed as you want it to be.
Head into The Engine Shed for some indoor soft play, enjoy another trip around the lake on the Lakeside Railway, challenge the family to a round of Adventure Golf or wrap up warm and enjoy our outdoor play areas.
The Engine Shed Café will also be open, with food, drinks and seasonal specials available if you’d like to make a proper day of your visit.
Return trains to Benny Halt run regularly throughout the day, so when you’re ready to head home, simply make your way back to the station.
We want as many families as possible to be able to enjoy the magic of Christmas at Lappa Valley.
Our 09:30, 10:30 and 11:30 trains on Saturday 5 December are dedicated SEND sessions, designed primarily for families visiting with neurodivergent guests and others with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
We have reduced the number of bookings in each session and allowed additional time to help create a calmer, more relaxed experience.
Adjustments include brighter grotto lighting, static lighting displays, very quiet Christmas music, no playing fairground organ and optional souvenir photography with the camera flash covered.
You can also tell us how much interaction with Father Christmas would suit your child. If they would prefer a quieter visit with very little interaction, that is absolutely fine.
These sessions can only be booked by calling 01872 510317 between 09:00 and 17:00 and are not available to book online.
How can I book?
The quickest and easiest way to book your tickets is online by clicking here. We can also make your booking over the phone on 01872 510317.
We’re pleased to share that on Saturday 5th December, the 0930, 1030 and 1130 trains will be tailored to groups with individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Booking for these trains is only available by calling 01872 510317 (0900 – 1700hrs) – you cannot book these online.
Do I have to pay separate entry to Lappa Valley?
Simple answer is NO. Your booking for Father Christmas at Lappa Valley includes everything – admission to the park, rides on both the railways, use of all our available activities including The Engine Shed Soft Play.
Of course, it also includes your visit to Father Christmas too!
How much is admission?
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adults: £19.00
Inclusive of hot drink and delicious festive treat.
Child (3 – 15 years): £22.00
Inclusive of present, hot or cold drink and delicious festive treat.
Child (2 years and under): £10.00
Inclusive of present, hot or cold drink and delicious festive treat.
Essential Companion: Free
One free Essential Companion can be booked free of charge alongside a paying Visitor with a Disability. Please note that proof of disability for the visitor you are accompanying will be requested upon arrival. We regret we will be unable to offer entry if you are unable to provide this. This entry ticket does not include present or festive refreshments.
Dog: £6.00
Inclusive of present.
How much is admission for Lappa Valley Members?
We are pleased to offer the following discounted admission for Lappa Valley Members for bookings on the 28th & 29th November 2026.
Adults: £14.00
Inclusive of hot drink and delicious festive treat.
Child (3 – 15 years): £16.50
Inclusive of present, hot or cold drink and delicious festive treat.
Child (2 years and under): £10.00
Inclusive of present, hot or cold drink and delicious festive treat.
Essential Companion: Free
One free Essential Companion can be booked free of charge alongside a paying Visitor with a Disability. Please note that proof of disability for the visitor you are accompanying will be requested upon arrival. We regret we will be unable to offer entry if you are unable to provide this. This entry ticket does not include present or festive refreshments.
Dog: £6.00
Inclusive of present.
For all other Father Christmas dates, standard admission pricing applies.
When are the trains back to the car park?
We will be running trains back to the Car Park every 30 minutes throughout the day.
Please note that the last train back to the car park on Christmas Eve is at 2:30pm. This is when Lappa Valley closes.
What will be open during the Father Christmas event?
The Engine Shed soft play will be open, the adventure golf course will be open, the outdoor play areas and musical walk will be open, as will the Lakeside Railway.
The Pedalo Swans, Frisbee Golf, Woodland Walk and Newlyn Downs Branchline will be closed.
Can I come early if I have booked on a later train?
If you have a later train time, yes you are welcome to arrive on an earlier train. However, please bear the following in mind:
1. The first two trains of the day (0930 & 1030) will be full, and we will not be able to guarantee space to those who haven’t booked onto these trains.
2. You will be asked to give priority to those who have booked on the earlier train.
3. Due to our SEND trains on the 5th December, there will not be any earlier public trains available until 1:30pm.
4. Please be aware that your time slot to check in for your Christmas experience will be within 1.5hrs of your booked train time. So if you’ve booked on the 2:30pm train, your time to check in with the Head Elf for the experience should be anytime before 4:00pm. We are not able to be change this.
5. You will also be welcome to stay at Lappa Valley and enjoy our activities for as long as you wish after your time in the grotto.
Is the timeslot I book the time I see Father Christmas?
No, The time you book is the train departure time from the car park station at Benny Halt. Please ensure you arrive at least 15-20 minutes prior to this time to allow time to park, check in and board the train.
On check in, you will be allocated a timeslot to visit Father Christmas in his grotto within 1.5hours of your train departure time.
SEND Trains - Saturday 5th December
We’re pleased to share that on Saturday 5th December, the 0930, 1030 and 1130 trains will be tailored to groups with individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Booking for these trains is only available by calling 01872 510317 (0900 – 1700hrs) – you cannot book these online.
The main lights will be switched on in the grottos for a brighter experience.
Souvenir photos are optional, and if chosen, flashes on the camera will be covered.
The fairground organ will be open (to look at) but not playing.
Instead an alternative range of smooth Christmas music will be played very quietly over the PA system.
Any lighting displays will be set for static operation.
Tell us what you are comfortable with – if you prefer not to have much interaction with Father Christmas, that’s no problem at all!
Special gift provisions for children with additional needs
Every child will receive a good-quality, age-appropriate present from Father Christmas.
If your child has additional needs, we do have a range of more appropriate gifts available. Please add a note into your booking.
If you would like to discuss this further, please give us a ring on 01872 510317 or email info@lappavalley.co.uk.
Will you be open for General Admission on your Father Christmas at Lappa Valley days?
We will only be open for Father Christmas at Lappa Valley bookings, and pre-booked visits by Lappa Valley Members on our Father Christmas dates.
We will NOT be able offering General Admission for anyone else.
Please note, that Lappa Valley Members will have to pre-book their visit online, and this is limited to certain trains.
Is my Lappa Valley Membership valid for the event?
You are unable to use your Lappa Valley Membership for our Father Christmas at Lappa Valley Experience – however we are offering special discounted tickets for the weekend of the 28th & 29th November.
Members will still be able to enjoy free General Admission to Lappa Valley on our Christmas dates – however, these must be strictly pre-booked online by logging into your account.
Please note that this general admission will not offer entry to our Father Christmas experience.
Are there any concessions?
To make things as fair for all as possible, our Father Christmas event is one flat rate charge, we do not offer any concessions on the prices above.
We will however be offering three SEND trains on the morning of the 5th December – these spaces are limited, and can only be booked over the phone on 01872 510317.
Should you have any additional requirements, please write these in the comments section when booking and we will endeavour to accommodate you.
Are you offering visits for Nurseries, Pre-Schools and Schools?
Absolutely! Each year Father Christmas loves to welcome friends from local schools and early years settings.
You can find out more about available dates and associated costs here.
Can I cancel my booking?
Once booked, we do not offer refunds of monies paid for tickets. Limited changes may be possible subject to availability and to an administration fee (£5.00).
No refunds will be provided should you miss any train that still operates, including in cases of severe weather, illness or failure of transport bringing you to Lappa Valley.
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