Thursford — Attraction in North Norfolk

My first visit here and it was a great experience in many ways. I had not researched the place but had heard numerous positive comments about it, so I had to find out for myself. Arriving at 11.30 am for the matinée we had time to kill,so we visited the Santa village and outdoor light trail. We were welcomed by Jeremy and told we could return any time as long as we showed our stamped ticket to prove we'd paid the £10 entrance fee. Now, this might seem a lot to some of us of advancing years, but it proved an invaluable asset! No Santa, but no little ones during the day as they were at school. My sister and I loved the indoor animated displays , and as the first visitors on opening, we had it to ourselves, we took lots of photos and didn't do the overall experience justice, though. Outside the Light Trail seemed pointless in the sunshine, but undaunted we needed a walk in the sunshine so again had the place to ourselves. We took photos and could ignore the signs asking visitors to keep moving, no one to irritate on Monday 12th!!!!! We came out with silly grins on our faces, great 👍 The shops on site are pretty, but my job until retirement was as a card and gift buyer, so I was aware of the inflated pricing. The performance was brilliant, with a great setting, fantastic costumes, and a good comedian/pianist. Now, for our criticism, which I hope will be considered for next year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The choir is fantastic but we would have preferred more upbeat carols or Christmas songs rather than the unknown numbers performed. Only knew O Holy Night out of the 4 serious pieces, and whilst it was beautiful , hardly uplifting as it's one of the most emotional songs I know!! The one performance on the stage of soldiers with trombones was not spectacular enough, but overall, a really enjoyable few hours. To return to the Santa village, your £10 also allows repeated visits to the toilets inside. This might not bother you, but the queues elsewhere might change your mind!! We also visited the light trail after the performance, sadly, at speed ,as our coach driver had said to return to the coach without delay. We decided to ignore him as we had some challenged ladies on our coach and thought we would beat them.back anyway!! We weren't the last on the coach, so we didn't incur his wrath !! So pleased we decided to be rebels!!! The staff here were lovely, I've mentioned Jeremy, but also Reg, who was outside the Santa village, was so friendly and good humoured. A big contrast to our Bah Humbug coach driver who told us about the Santa village in a most disparaging way, probably had rebels like us before!!!!!! We'll return and encourage others to visit, too. I am 70 years old, and it's never too late to benefit from some...

This is a mesmerising and fabulously seasonal attraction in the heart of the Norfolk Countryside. The attraction showcases magical and Captivating Christmas Shows and Christmas Displays during The Autumn/Winter Periods and in the Spring/ Summer Periods is a Steam Engine Museum with Fairground Rides and also Organ Musical Displays and proves it can adapt brilliantly during any time of the year and does it very well. With regards to The Christmas Shows it is best to book well in advance to avoid any disappointment as they are extremely popular and the Shows and Displays are majestic, Captivating and simply outstanding capturing that wonderful enchanting Christmas magic. The Steam Engine is equally as good and in some cases better with a stunning array of Steam Traction Engines to see on display. There is some informative information displays at each of the traction detailing their history and you can also learn interesting facts about their role in Industry and Farming, which is particularly fascinating. You can catch a great glimpse of the Steam Traction engines up close and get a clear idea of how they functioned in a working Industrial role and also the steam engines are in absolute phenomenal condition showing the great work being done to preserve them. In addition to the Steam Engines there are some Mechanical Organs which are an awesome jawdropping sight to see and again there are some fascinating and interesting boards about their use from a Bygone era and these Mechanical Organs are in amazing condition. There is also some lovely Fairground Rides as well such as The Venetian Switchback Ride and also The Gallopers and both of these Fairground Rides have a lovely traditional Fairground feel to them and also a nice nostalgic feel to them. Both of the Fairground Rides can be ridden on but there is an extra charge for them on top of the base admission fee. There is also a spectacular Mighty Wurlitzer Show which is amazing and outstanding and the show is conducted by the Resident Robert Woolfe and he conducts an absolute brilliant show with lovely barrel organ style music enabling you take in that lovely distinctive Fairground atmosphere more and also makes for a fabulous memorable atmosphere. There is a cafe selling an excellent range of food and drink at reasonable prices and also a variety of shops selling a great range of souvenirs at affordable prices. Overall this is a truly magnificent, awesome and amazing place to visit and makes for a spectacular, terrific and enjoyable day out. Well worth a visit whilst in...

Well done Thursford, we went yesterday and had a fantastic dat at the new children's Play Fair park. Top quality wooden play equipment with an old school funfair theme. Suitable for ages 1-12 (my 1 and 5 year old both loved it) High walks, rope bridges, climbing towers, big slides and a lovely themed area for litle ones. The splash pad fountain is fun (remember towels, change of clothes and water shoes would be useful) The go cart track had top quality carts and the kids were loving it. And there is a food outlet with extensive menu (pizzas, sandwiches, bacon rolls, chips, all sorts)

But PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE put staff on the go carts!! - it is an accident waiting to happen! I say this purely as a concerned parent and I wasn't the only one. 10 year olds are whizzing around at speed next to 4 year olds, they are going off track, there is no queuing system so (some) kids run out onto the track to grab the next cart and I saw at least 6 crashes or near misses in the short time I was supervising (with my heart in my throat)

And other than safety, you need somebody there to manage the queue and enforce the 10 lap rule a little. I reported to staff who said it's being looked into - you need to hurry that up before somebody gets seriously hurt!

You also need somebody up high (parents cannot get up there to supervise or keep up with their kids) and probably somebody on the water pad. You can't put it all on parents and signage. £6 is incredibly reasonable and I would happily pay a bit more to have a few members of staff making it safer.

We will happily come (probably...