We’re based at:
Old Oak Farm, Rectory Lane, Latchingdon, CM3 6HB.

You’ll find a helpful map at the bottom of this page to guide your journey.

🚗 Important Travel Note:

Please be aware that Rectory Lane can have potholes, especially during the winter months when rain runoff from surrounding fields can affect the road surface. We kindly ask you to drive with care when coming to visit us.

🛣️ Stay Updated:

For any local traffic updates or road information that might impact your trip, please follow our Facebook page, where we post timely alerts and helpful travel tips.

Most of the Christmas Experience takes place indoors. However, some areas are unheated, and there is a short outdoor section at the start and end of your visit.

We recommend dressing for the weather and wearing flat, comfortable shoes. Our car park can develop puddles after rain, and there is a short walk to the entrance, so suitable footwear (such as wellies on wet days) will help keep everyone comfortable throughout the experience.

Yes! We have hard-standing parking on site, but spaces are limited. Each booking includes one parking space, and additional spaces can be purchased at checkout if needed. You will receive a parking voucher via email, which must be clearly displayed on your car windscreen on arrival.

Our Transport Elves will guide you to your space, helping us fit as many cars as possible. We kindly ask that you arrive in as few vehicles as you can. Please also wear suitable footwear, as puddles can form in the car park after rain.

To ensure a smooth start:

• Do not arrive more than 20 minutes before your time slot, as you may be asked to return closer to your scheduled time.

• Arriving more than 15 minutes late may mean you can only join the experience partway through, and entry cannot be guaranteed.

This year we are offering 3 family Christmas Experiences. You are reading the FAQ’s for the Gold Experience.

🎅 Which Experience Should I Choose?

All ages are welcome in all the Christmas Experiences as all children are different, our age range is just a suggestion.

• Silver Experience – Best for children aged 2–4, first visits, or for children who may get overwhelmed

• Gold Experience – Ideal for children aged 3–8 who love Christmas magic and interaction

• Platinum Experience – Perfect for children aged 3–12 and families wanting the full festive journey

No matter which experience you choose, every visit to The Party Kingdom is filled with warmth, wonder and unforgettable Christmas memories.

The Platinum Experience is 60 – 75 minutes approximately
The Gold Experience is 30 – 35 minutes approximately.
The Silver Experience is about 10 minutes approximately.

✨ Platinum Christmas Experience

Our most immersive and unforgettable Christmas adventure

• Entry via the Good Machine

• Build-A-Bear in the Elf Workshop

• Photo opportunity in the NEW Polar Bear Area

• Private Winter Wonderland play

• Corridor of Lights photo moment

• Discover what your child looks like as an elf

• Ride the Santa Express

• Personalised Christmas Wish to take home

• Magical moving elevator ride to the North Pole

• Fully personalised visit with Father Christmas

• Nice List Medal presentation

• 3D sleigh ride back to The Party Kingdom

• Choose a present from the improved Santa’s Toy Store

• Visit Mother Christmas for reindeer food

✨ The ultimate Christmas experience, packed with magic, memories and keepsakes.

⭐ Gold Christmas Experience

A beautiful personalised visit filled with festive magic

• Ride the Santa Express

• Create and take home a personalised Christmas Wish

• Travel to the North Pole in our magical elevators

• Personal visit with Father Christmas

• Receive a Nice List Medal

• 3D sleigh ride back to The Party Kingdom

• Choose a present from Santa’s Toy Store

• Visit Mother Christmas for reindeer food

✨ Perfect for families wanting a magical but shorter experience.

❄️ Silver Christmas Experience

NEW for 2026 – Perfect for pre-school children

• Short and gentle experience designed for younger children

• Festive walk with snowfall and photo opportunities

• Meet Father Christmas in the Polar Bear Area

• One professional photograph included

• Short private visit to your family’s Winter Wonderland

• Collect your photo in the Corridor of Lights, with the option to purchase more

The Gold Experience is about 30 -35 minutes long in total but this will vary depending on your child.

This event is completely inclusive for all children and adults.

During your magical journey with us you will be mainly in your own family group. Our elves are able to adapt to make sure that all of our visitors have the best possible experience with us.

The area is mainly on one level, and there are ramps in certain areas for wheelchair users. Please mention to a Transport Elf in the car park that you have a wheelchair and they will get you to a suitable parking slot.

Please Note: We are unable to get a wheelchair on to Santa’s Train.

There is not a specific date for SEND children this year. Please email [email protected] with proof of being a registered carer (to a child that is attending this event with you) or in receipt of a DLA (for a child that is attending the event with you). Please give us the details of your very own superhero and we may be able to issue you a discounted coupon code (subject to availability). We do not offer a Carer’s ticket for any adult visitors. – We do not have any more Carer ticket allocations for 2025

Please let us know if you are booking the Gold, or Platinum Experience.

There is not a specific date for SEND children this year.

Please email [email protected] with proof of being a registered carer (to a child that is attending this event with you) or in receipt of a DLA (for a child that is attending the event with you). Please give us the details of your very own superhero and we may be able to issue you a discounted coupon code (subject to availability). We do not offer a Carer’s ticket for any adult visitors. – We do not have any more Carer ticket allocations for 2025

Please let us know if you are booking the Gold or Platinum Experience.

If you are worried about any queues forming we suggest that you book your timeslot between 9am – 9.30am or 2pm – 2.30pm for weekends and 4.15pm – 5.45pm after school sessions.

There is not a specific date for SEND children this year. Please email [email protected] with proof of being a registered carer (to a child that is attending this event with you) or in receipt of a DLA (for a child that is attending the event with you). Please give us the details of your very own superhero and we may be able to issue you a discounted coupon code (subject to availability). We do not offer a Carer’s ticket for any adult visitors. – We do not have any more Carer ticket allocations for 2025

Please let us know if you are booking the Gold or Platinum Experience.

If you are worried about any queues forming we suggest that you book your timeslot between 9am – 9.30am or 2pm – 2.30pm for weekends and 4.15pm – 5.45pm after school sessions.

We work hard to keep any queues as short as possible, but during busy times, some waiting may occur. We kindly ask for your patience, knowing that our team is doing everything they can to minimize any delays.

To help your visit run smoothly, please aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. This gives you time to use the toilet facilities so you’re ready to start as soon as our team calls you in.

Our friendly Transport Elves may ask you to wait in your car upon arrival to manage any queues safely and efficiently. Your comfort and enjoyment are our top priorities!

🕒 Want to avoid queues?

We recommend booking at these quieter times:

• Weekends: 9:00–9:30am, 12:15–12:45pm, 3:45–4:15pm

• After school sessions: 4:15–4:45pm

Thank you for helping us create a magical experience for everyone!

We have unisex toilet facilities, including 2 suitable for disabled visitors all through the Christmas experience. 

We recommend that your family uses the toilet facilities near the entrance before commencing on your magical journey. Although we do have toilet facilities in the experience, the nearest one may be 10 minutes away from the section that you are in. Please ask your elf if you need to use the facilities and they will advise you where the nearest toilet is.

If a couple of members of your booking group need to use the toilets during the Experience rest of the group will have to continue their magical journey. The elves will get the others back to you as soon as they can.

Some toilets will also have baby change facilities and we have a baby feeding room in the first barn. Just ask your elf and they will help you as best they can.

We are offering three Family Christmas Experiences in 2026:

• Platinum Experience – a fully immersive, 75-minute journey (you’re reading the FAQ for this one!)

• Gold Experience – a shorter, 30–35 minute experience

• Silver Experience – a gentle, 10–12 minute “pop-in” visit, perfect for younger children or first-time visitors

You can read the FAQ for each experience to decide which best suits your family’s needs.

This year’s Platinum Experience is designed so your booking group journeys together through our magical kingdom along a one-way route. While most areas are private to your group, there may be sections where you see one or more other booking groups.

Along the way, you’ll visit different festive zones and meet our amazing Christmas characters, all helping to build the excitement and magic of the season.

♿ Accessibility & SEND-Friendly Information

• Our experiences are designed to be inclusive, calm, and supportive for children of all abilities.

• Children are never rushed, and families can engage at their own pace.

• Friendly elves are on hand to provide reassurance, guidance, or quieter moments if needed.

• The Platinum Experience is fully guided and structured, so you’ll always know what’s happening next, helping children who may benefit from predictability.

• Sensory considerations — including lighting, music, and sound effects — are carefully managed to avoid overwhelming children. If extra support is required, our team can adapt the pace or offer alternative options.

We aim to make every visit magical, safe, and enjoyable for every family.

Please note: Government guidelines may change. Any updates affecting the event will be shared on our Facebook page and website so you have the latest information before your visit.

• 28th November – Preview Date: All bookings on this day are £20 cheaper. This is a special rehearsal day for our team, so some elements of the experience may not be fully complete. Guests booking this day agree not to request refunds and are invited to provide constructive feedback after their visit, either in person or via [email protected]. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy our Gold and Platinum Experiences at a reduced price.

• 19th–23rd December – Premium Dates: These are our busiest festive dates, and a £30 surcharge per booking applies. Children attending the Platinum Experience on these premium dates will also receive a special 16″ Santa Build-A-Bear to take home.

Please note: The surcharge is applied per booking, per timeslot.

Bookings taken on the 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd December are Premium dates and carry an additional £30 per booking slot.

Yes! We accept both cash and card payments at the event.

Please note that all bookings must be made through our secure website — we cannot take bookings in person.

We also invite you to bring a few coins for our Charity Wishing Well, which supports Broomfield Hospital’s paediatric departments and wards. Every donation helps bring a little extra Christmas magic to children in hospital.

Father Christmas cannot wait to chat to your little one in his wonderful grotto. All the people on your booking will go in to see Father Christmas together, if you want to split into 2 or more groups, you will need to make more bookings.

Please note: To enable your children to have the best possible experience, there is a maximum of 6 people in the grotto at any one time.

Please make sure that we have your child’s name down correctly ( for unusual names, please make sure you put it down phonetically as well, so Father Christmas knows how to say it)

Father Christmas will make your chat as personal as possible from the information that you have given us during the checkout.

We cannot guarantee what Father Christmas will say to your children.

Your child will take home their present from the Elf Workshop, their Santa’s Train ticket & their special letter. We suggest that you bring a bag with you to carry their items as we cannot replace any lost items.

This year in a way to try and reduce our carbon footprint, we are allowing each child to choose their own present. This present will not be wrapped. 

Your child will be able to see the various presents that are available and with your help, choose the most appropriate one. 

The Party Kingdom will offer a full range of presents and whatever you choose is entirely up to you. The Party Kingdom are not responsible if the present chosen is not appropriate.

Please ask the elves in  The Elf Post Office if you do not think any of the presents shown are suitable. We have lots of various presents for all ages and alternatives can be shown to you.

Adult tickets can be purchased for children aged 13 + and over, as long as they are on a booking that includes at least 1 full paying child, and 1 adult over the age of 18. The 13 + child would not receive a present.

If they do require a present and to join in the full experience, a child’s ticket will need to be purchased. Our age range is purely a guide.

Each booking will require at least 1 full paying child.

It is a fact that many children are starting not to believe at a much earlier age. Although this is a shame, The Party Kingdom have adapted this year’s event. Even children who are on the cusp of believing and even non believers, will have a brilliant time.

We have added many interactive areas that will really encourage the older ‘ too cool for Santa’ kids, and the younger ones to become fully immersed in the Christmas Experience.

We have a maxium number of people per booking (6 people).

If your total number of people is less than this please complete the forms below and we may be able to add extra visitors on, but cannot guarantee it. Any additional changes made prior 72 hours of your time slot will incur an administration charge of £7.50 per  addition.

Add Extra Children, Adults or Babies

If you are bringing a baby (of any age) to the Experience with no other children, you will need to pay for a child’s ticket.

A baby up to 14 months can go free of charge (if accompanying a full paying child on the same booking) but the baby will not get a present (please advise us in the note section of the checkout).

If you would like the baby to get a lovely present from The Elf Post Office then please purchase a Baby Ticket.

A baby ticket is for babies up to 14 months old. A child 15 months and over will require a child ticket.

Please note: Buggies are welcome but we ask you not to attend with a wide double buggy as we have some width restrictions in some areas. Our doorways are only as wide as a standard wheelchair.

Our suggested age range is a guide only, you can purchase a child’s ticket for an older child. 
You can also purchase an adult ticket for an older child that wishes to attend. If you purchase this ticket they will not receive the activities and present.

You can take your own photos and videos all the way around the experience. We do ask you not to take any videos or photos with Santa with a light on as it is very distracting for him. 

We would love to see your wonderful pictures so please tag us
Twitter – @BestEssexSanta

Facebook – @thepartykingdom 

Insta – #thepartykingdomessex

TikTok – @thepartykingdomessex

Youtube- @thepartykingdom 

Or you could upload them to a review on our website

You will be able to purchase photos from the grotto and our photo opportunities throughout the experience.

During the checkout process you will have the opportunity to purchase a USB stick. Official photos are taken in the Green Room, plus in Santa’s Grotto. If you decide to add this when you purchase your tickets you will save a massive £10 from the on the day price. It is very good value for money!

USB sticks can be purchased on the day, you will automatically get all the photos taken by us. When you arrive at check in, you will be given your USB Santa stick. Please take care of it as we will not be able to re-issue another one. Please hand it in to the photo collection area.

Please check any issues with photos on your USB within 48 hours or we may not be able to retrieve your photos.

You can also decide to purchase a hard copy of a particular picture that you love on the day of your visit.

Please review  The Party Kingdom Media Policy and opt out if you do not wish for your images to be used by The Party Kingdom.

There is a bit of photo tech involved with this year’s experience. If it goes wrong on the day and we are unable to load your Purchased Santa USB, or print off your purchased chosen photo, we will take your order number and arrange to get it emailed to you as soon as possible.

The ‘1’ shows that there is 1 remaining timeslot for a booking of up to 6 people.

During checkout we will ask you for some basic information regarding your child. This information will be given to Father Christmas to make the visit to him as magical as we can for your child.

Please make sure that the information you give us is relevant to the child only and is not likely to change. Any changes will be subject to an administration charge. We recommend that you do not mention any presents and animals that you may have.

Your child’s first and second name will also be used for a special letter that your child will find with their full name on it. Every year we receive this with the adult’s name on it, so please double check before you send it to us as any changes will be subject to an administration charge.

If you want to go around with another group, you will need to book adjacent booking slots. You will also need to go in to see Father Christmas together as one booking. If you do not want anyone else present during your visit to Santa, you will need to go around the experience individually.

We have a maximum of 6 people in the grotto to make sure that your children have the best possible experience. If your two groups are more than 6, you can go around together but you must be aware that in some areas it will be tight for space.

You will be able to link the second booking during checkout to the first one.

We are asking you to bring your child’s  Santa letter with you in a plain white envelope (with their full name on the front clearly written). One letter per child in your group please.

Please make sure that this letter has things on it that your child will be able to recognise as being their own. Stickers and pictures work very well. Please make sure that their name is very clear on this letter.

Depending on your family’s Christmas tradition, it may not be ideal for this to be an actual present list, so it could be a picture drawn for Santa, a poem or a letter written to Santa from the child.

If you decide that you do not want to do this for your visit that is totally fine. The children on your booking will not be aware that it has not been done.

During the experience you will see a post box that clearly states TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, just post your plain envelopes in to this post box and we will sort the rest of the magic out.

The Booking Guarantee, Premium Elf Pack and USB Package are pre-selected. You can untick the boxes on the next page and they will come off your booking total.

We ask ‘Only what Santa would know’ as an opportunity for Santa to say something to your child that will help the magic. This could be something very simple like mentioning the child being very good at gymnastic, football etc. or about thanking them for leaving the magic key out.

You can also give a present list but please make it clear that they are presents and understand that they are liable to change as we get nearer to Christmas. Any changes that are made to this information are liable for an admin fee.

Just untick any add-ons that are not required.

We will always try our best to get everyone in to our Christmas Experience but we cannot guarantee entry if you have missed your timeslot. Our door will close 15 minutes after the final timeslot of the session. If you arrive late you may be able to join the Experience at a later section but this will depend on the time that you arrive and is at the Management’s discretion.

The Booking Guarantee means that, up to 72 hours prior to your booking, you can make 1 change to the booking details, or even receive a full refund for your tickets. This does not include any extra add ons, or the price paid for Booking Guarantee.

We are unable to refund a partial booking even with the Booking Guarantee.

If possible we will endeavour to change the date of your booking, but this is only subject to availability.

Subsequent changes will incur a £15 administration fee.

All changes must be made by completing a Booking Change Request  with a minimum of 72 hours before your time slot with us.

You can update your personal details if you have the Booking Guarantee without charge once. Subsequent changes are charged at £15 per change, up to 72 hours prior to your time slot.

If you do not have the Booking Guarantee, you will be charged an adminstration fee of £15 for every change to your booking.

Any changes to your details must be made at least 72 hours prior to your visit to us. Any changes must be made by completing a booking change request

If you have taken out the Booking Guarantee, you are able to make 1 change to your booking prior to 72 hours of your visit. Your booking will be refundable up to 72 hours prior to your booking date and time. We are unable to refund a partial booking.

If you have not taken out the Booking Guarantee you will be charged an administration charge of £15 for every change made to your booking.  All changes will need to be made 72 hours prior to your time slot. You will not get a full, or partial refund for whatever reason.

Any Change Requests need to complete BOOKING CHANGE REQUEST

During the checkout we are giving our guests the option to purchase a Premium Elf Pack. This will add to your children’s excitement in the lead up to Christmas. These Premium Elf Packs can be purchased even if you are not attending The Party Kingdom Christmas Experience.

Each pack includes 1 of each item unless shown. You will also be able to purchase some additional items if you would like more.

Each pack will contain:
Personalised Nice List Certificate per child
Congratulations certificate
A  letter from Santa
Minimum of 6 elf letters that you can hand out during the run up to Christmas
Wooden Nutcracker that your child can decorate in any way they want to.
Mother Christmas’s Exclusive Recipe ( 1 per pack)

You will also get a fully personalised Golden Ticket inviting your children to see Father Christmas. This will have all the children’s names on your booking on one invite.

We will send the Premium Elf Packs out so you will receive them in plenty of time

Tickets are non transferable.  If you have taken out the Booking Guarantee you are able to make 1 change up to 72 hours prior to your visit. Your booking is also refundable up to this point.

Please arrive no more than 20 minutes before your time slot. Transport elves will help you park. If you arrive very early you may be asked to com back at a later time.

You can purchase hot and cold drinks and snacks from our kiosk which is situated at the end of your magical journey. The Kiosk will shut 30 minutes before the Grotto closes.

To upgrade from the Gold Experience please click on the Booking Change Request link. Please make a note as to the date and time that you would like us to find you a timeslot (subject to availability)

Admin will contact you with a new timeslot.

Please Note: This will include an Admin charge as well as the difference in the price between the 2 experiences.

Booking Upgrade Change Request

Assistant dogs are permitted in the experience as long as we have had an email notification of this. No other pets are allowed.

All adults have to attend the Christmas Experience event with a child due to our Safeguarding Policy.

Please look at our Adult Only Christmas Experience featuring Bad Santa.

Our Policies can be found below

Data Protection Policy 

The Party Kingdom safeguarding Policy

The Party Kingdom Media Policy

TPK Privacy Policy

TPK Complaints Policy

If the Christmas Experience has to close due to a change in Government guidelines, we will issue you a credit note. This will be for the total value of your booking to use against our event in 2026.

We are sorry but it is not possible for us to arrange for Santa to give something personal to your children whilst visiting him in his grotto.

We are so sorry that you have a complaint. Please use this link to our Complaints Policy.

Please check out Chelmsford Travel Guide | Chelmsford Tourism – KAYAK for ideas.