The North Pole Experience
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
ENTRY
from £45
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
A timed Christmas experience with a festive show, ice skating and a visit to Father Christmas, built around a 3 to 3.5 hour visit.
This one's a proper festive itinerary rather than a quick grotto visit. You get 90 minutes of scheduled activities first, then up to an hour and a half to wander at your own pace, taking in the ice skating, the gift shop and the food stalls, before your allotted slot with Father Christmas. Everyone gets clip-on skates that fit over shoes, from age 3 right up to men's size 14, so most of the family can have a go on the ice.
Every elf needs a ticket, adults included, which is worth knowing before you book for a big group. Children over 12 months get a teddy bear from the workshop and gingerbread from Mrs Claus, while under-1s get a toy instead. Prices start from £45 and shift depending on the date and time you pick, with earlier and quieter slots priced lower, so there's a genuine saving in going off-peak. There's also a payment plan if you'd rather spread the cost over a few months than take the hit in one go.
Prams are welcome and there's said to be ample space for them, though pushchairs aren't allowed in some areas. Wheelchair access covers both the indoor and outdoor parts. SEN-friendly sessions run with smaller groups, calmer pacing and no sudden noises, though these have limited availability, so book early if that's the one you need.
Parking is free on Otterspool Drive, including blue badge spaces, with an overflow car park a five minute walk away at the top of Mersey Road. Aigburth Station is about five minutes on foot too, which is handy given the site flags heavy traffic on Otterspool Drive during the Christmas season.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Babies through primary age, with skating for age 3 and up
- Booking
- Timed sessions. Spread cost over 3-4 interest-free monthly payments available
- Parking
- Free on street parking on Otterspool Drive, including blue badge parking
- How long to allow
- Approximately 3 to 3.5 hours
- Food
- Festive food outlets serving snacks, warming drinks, and full meals
- Pushchairs
- Prams welcome with ample space
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair accessible in all indoor and outdoor attractions
- Getting there by bus or train
- Aigburth Station (Merseyrail Northern Line) 5 min walk
- A payment plan lets you spread the cost over monthly instalments instead of paying all at once
- Carer tickets are discounted but capped at one per booking alongside a full-paying adult and child
- Expect heavy traffic on Otterspool Drive during the Christmas season
- Aigburth Station and two bus routes all land within a 15 minute walk
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Prices start from £45 and vary by date and session time, with earlier and less popular slots priced lower.
Do we need to book?
Yes, it runs on timed sessions so you book a slot in advance.
How long does the visit take?
Around 3 to 3.5 hours, covering the scheduled activities, free time on the ice and in the shops, then your visit to Father Christmas.
Is it suitable for a baby or toddler?
Under 1s get a toy and join in the full experience, though only children over 12 months get the teddy bear and gingerbread. Prams are welcome, though pushchairs are restricted in some areas.
Do adults need their own ticket?
Every grown-up elf needs a ticket too. In return you get the festive show, ice skating, storytelling and meeting Father Christmas alongside the kids.
Can we skate even if we've never been on ice before?
The skates clip on over shoes rather than needing your own boots, and they're sized from age 3 up to men's size 14.
Is there parking?
Free parking on Otterspool Drive, including blue badge spaces, plus an overflow car park a five minute walk away on Mersey Road.
Do you offer sessions for children with additional needs?
SEN-friendly sessions run in smaller groups with a calmer pace and no sudden noises, but spaces are limited so book ahead.
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