Terms & Conditions

Our commitment to provide a service:

Wicksteed Park will endeavour to ensure that as many rides and attractions as possible are available for use by guests at the Attraction. However, we reserve the right, without prior notice, to close and change the programme of rides and attractions and/or the Attraction’s operating hours. Wicksteed Park in its absolute discretion reserves the right to close the whole or any part of the Attraction at any time or to restrict the number of persons having access to the Attraction. The reason for any closure or restriction provided by this condition may include technical or operational reasons, capacity, inclement weather, special events or to ensure the safety and security of guests or if Wicksteed Park reasonably considers the circumstances so require. Ride closures, of any description, do not constitute grounds for a refund(s). For tickets or wristbands purchased in advance, if the whole Attraction is closed for any of the reasons set out above, Wicksteed Park may offer replacement tickets or wristbands for admission to the Attraction on an alternative date in substitution for any other form of redress.

Tickets/admissions:

THE ATTRACTION IS PRIVATE PROPERTY. All persons using the rides and attractions must hold a valid ticket or wristband which has been obtained from Wicksteed Park, the Attraction, the Attraction’s website or a third party authorised by Wicksteed Park to sell tickets and wristbands. The sale of tickets/wristbands/vouchers by anyone other than Wicksteed Park is strictly prohibited. Only persons authorised by us are permitted to sell or offer for sale any items to guests within the Attraction grounds. All tickets and wristbands are non-refundable, non-transferable, not for resale and will become automatically void on any transfer for value.

A binding contract between us (Wicksteed Park) and the purchaser comes into existence when the final page of the booking confirmation procedure gives you a booking reference or at the point you take possession of your tickets or wristband(s) if purchased onsite at one of our admissions booths or other point of sale. This contract and all matters arising out of it are governed by English law.

Tickets and wristbands purchased are only valid on the date printed on the ticket or wristband or the day of purchase if purchased onsite. Please check the Attraction’s operating calendar for opening times and dates. Tickets and wristbands may not be valid for special events or concerts which may attract a separate admission fee. For the avoidance of any doubt, pre-booked tickets and wristbands are non-refundable in the event that admission is refused or relinquished for any reason referred to in these Entry Conditions. Non-dated tickets and wristbands booked in advance do not guarantee admission to the Attraction, especially during busy times or on specific days when there are special events.

Tickets and wristbands booked online will be delivered in accordance with the Wicksteed Park delivery procedure. If tickets and wristbands are bought on behalf of other guests, the buyer accepts these Entry Conditions on behalf of every guest and shall ensure that these Entry Conditions are complied with by each person in the group.

Wicksteed Park does not knowingly allow anyone to visit its Attractions or hold an Annual Pass who is a convicted child sex offender or subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, or subject to the Sexual Risk Order, Child Abduction Notice or any other restrictions or requirements that protects the safety and welfare of children.

Wicksteed Park reserves the right to refuse admission to any of its Attractions, ban entry from the Attraction or remove from the Attraction without any right to a refund, any person [and any other members of their party] whose behaviour or presence may affect the enjoyment and/or safety of other guests or staff, or who may otherwise undermine the commitment of Wicksteed Park to safeguarding children and young people. For these purposes “Attractions” shall be deemed to include all and any attractions operated by Wicksteed Park either currently or at any point in the future.

• Our annual wristband covers access to our rides and attractions over our operating season, for events such as Christmas and fireworks will have to be purchased in addition to your wristband. This pass includes February Half-term, Easter Half-term, Time 4 Tots and October Half-term. Annual passes are valid for 12 Months from the Start Date.

• Children under 0.9m go for free! Only if they are attending with a paid wristband or ticket
• Please note that children attending for free will have their height checked both at the ticket office and before our rides and attractions.

• The parking permit entitles the owner of the car to park in the designated car parks.
• Please remember your car parking permit is for your vehicle, not you (the owner) and is NOT TRANSFERABLE between vehicles.
• If you change your vehicle, you must either call us on 01536 512475 or email us with your name and registration at hello@wicksteedpark.org.
• The parking permit is for Wicksteed Park users only and is not valid for business parking or offsite visits.
• The Park reserves the right to cancel any parking permit if the conditions are not observed.
• The route to and from the car parks, as indicated by the Park’s Authorities, must be adhered to at all times.
• The car must not be taken to any other part of the Park and the pedestrian areas must be treated as such.
• A speed restriction of 10 mph will be strictly imposed.
• No liability is accepted, and all parking is at the owner’s risk.

Please note that tickets purchased for this experience are non transferable and non refundable.

Please bring your booking confirmation with you to be scanned on arrival.
All family members must purchase a ticket to the event, all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Car Parking charges apply, please pay via the Parking App or at one of the Parking Machines just prior to your departure.

Card Payments are preferred at our food and beverage outlets.

All guests must collect their welcome pack from Reception underneath the Clock Tower in the Precinct on arrival, please leave plenty of time to collect your pack and make your way to the Father Christmas Gateway to his Grotto for your designated Timeslot. If you miss your timeslot on the day regrettably you will miss the opportunity to visit Father Christmas.

Children visiting Father Christmas will receive a gift. Who ever you book onto the slot will see Father Christmas as one group. If you wish to book for friends that would like to see Father Christmas separately these must be booked as separate transactions.

• The rest of the experience you are welcome to enjoy any time between the hours of 10am and 5pm (10am and 3pm on Christmas eve) once you have collected your pack from Reception.
• Take a ride on the Wicksteed Railway, boarding at the North Pole Station.
• Visit Santa’s Reindeer
• Meet the Animals at Wicky’s Mini Farmyard
• Play a round of Crazy Golf on our 18 hole course.
• Whizz down the Astroslide,
• Take a spin on our Carousel
• Leave your Wish on our Wishing Tree

The majority of this experience is based outside in a Natural Parkland setting so please make sure you wrap up snuggly warm ready for a great time.

Stallholder rules

• Arrival on site is from 9.00. No unloading after 10.30.
• Event is located by the car park adjacent to the end of the pavilion and Carlo’s Courtyard pizza restaurant.
• Set up in your designated area by the event arena. Marshalls will be on duty for assistance.
• Please do not close or strip down until the event has finished at 2pm (timings subject to change). No loading until after 2.30.
• Vehicle movements to be authorised by Wicksteed Park marshalls.
• Please keep emergency access routes clear.
• Stallholder parking will be available on a first come, first served basis adjacent to the event arena on the car park.
• Parking charges apply at all times.
• Nearest toilets including accessible toilets are available in the precinct opposite the clock tower.
• Refreshments are available at the Garden Café, Carlo’s Courtyard and the Northern Lights Café.
• No sales of food or drink are permitted by the stall holders.
• No weapons or sharp implements to be sold at any time.

Competition Rules

• All competition entries to be booked online and in advance.
• Please register on arrival to collect your competition entry pass. The registration desk will be adjacent to the car park beside the square roundabout.
• Please wait in the dedicated area until your competition time slot.
• No entry to event arena outside of time slot.
• All dogs must be kept on leads and under control at all times. No exceptions are permitted.
• No banned breeds will be permitted.
• No behaviour that leads to aggressive behaviour in the dog is permitted.
• No unattended dogs.
• No alcohol or other food and beverage may be taken into or consumed within the event arena.
• Please pick up any dog poo immediately and dispose into one of the bins.
• No abusive behaviour towards staff will be tolerated.
• The judge’s decision is final.
• Max 2 people per dog in each event category. Any child under 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult into the event arena.
• Only dogs may be entered into the competition categories.
• Official photographer will be on site – if you do not wish to be included in photography or video footage please opt out by emailing hello@wicksteedpark.org.

FAQs

1. Where can I get a drink or something to eat?

Refreshments are available at the Garden Café, Carlo’s Courtyard and the Northern Lights Café.

2. Do I have to pay for parking?

Parking charges apply at all times.

3. Where can I buy a ticket to ride the Woofseed Railway?

Please visit the Gift Shop to purchase tickets for the Woofsteed Railway. The 3pm service will be a dedicated dog-friendly train ride.

4. What time is Santa Paws?

The event starts at midday on 30 November 2024.

5. What time is each event?

Please see event running order for details of timing for each competition category. All timings are subject to change.

6. Where is the nearest toilet?

Toilets are available in the precinct opposite the clock tower.

7. Where can I buy a ticket to Christmas at Wicksteed?

Please visit our website at wicksteedpark.org

8. Are you going to do any more events like this?

Wicksteed Park offers lots of events and activities throughout the year. Please visit our website for details.

9. Why do I have to keep my dog on a lead?

For the safety of all our guests, including our four-legged friends.

10. Can I enter an animal that is not a dog?

Only dogs may enter the Santa Paws event.

11. How many people are allowed with the dog into the event arena?

A maximum of two people per dog entry. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

12. What happens if a dog is behaving dangerously?

Dangerous or aggressive behaviour is strictly prohibited. Owners and their dogs may be asked to leave site immediately.

13. Can I take my dog to visit the farm or reindeer?

No dogs are permitted into the farm or to visit the reindeer.

14. Where can I get a drink for my dog?

There is a water station adjacent to Carlo’s Courtyard. Puppycinos are available to purchase in the Garden Café.

15. Is there an official photographer?

Yes. The official photographer will wear a hi-vis jacket for identification.

16. Can I book a ticket for the train if I have not got a dog or have not booked a ticket for Christmas at Wicksteed?

Yes, on 30 November 2024 only. Please visit the Gift Shop to purchase your tickets. On all other operating dates through December 2024, the Wicksteed Park Railway and access to the North Pole Station will only be permitted to ticket holders for Christmas at Wicksteed. Please note that the train departing at 3pm on 30 November 2024 is dedicated to dogs and their owners as part of the Santa Paws event. If you do not wish to ride the train with lots of furry friends, please board at an alternative time.

• No photography or video is allowed without permission.
• No food drink or chewing gum on the Play Equipment.
• No Glassware.
• Remove shoes before entering the play area but wear socks at all times.
• Arms and legs should be covered.
• Remove ALL jewellery, badges and other sharp objects.
• Children who are unwell should not use the Play Equipment.
• Leave all personal items such as money with parent/guardians.
• Children who wear glasses or contact lenses should take particular care.
• No liability will be accepted for any losses, damages or theft.
• Parental supervision is essential at all times.

• We use CCTV at various locations around the Park and within our facilities. These will process pictures of guests and may also record audio. Cameras are used for health and safety and security purposes and are positioned so to be of minimal intrusion. Videos and images are kept in accordance with our Data Retention Policy. If there is evidence of a criminal act, any recordings may be passed to the appropriate authorities.

• There is no smoking in the play area, this is strictly prohibited.
• We also allow no food, drink or chewing gum or glassware in the soft play area.
• We ask all shoes are removed but socks must be worn at all times. Arms and legs must be covered.
• All jewellery, badges and sharp objects must be removed.
• We ask that any children who are feeling unwell or poorly not use the equipment and that any children wearing glasses or contact lenses take extra care.
• All personal items (such as money, phones) must be left with an adult/guardian – Wicksteed Park accepts no liability for any losses, damage or theft.
• Please note max-age for Wicky’s Play Factory is 8 years old

• Party Bookings must be completed online and payments made are non transferable and non refundable.
• If you wish to add any additional guests to the booking after you have booked we cannot guarantee there will be space. Please email us at playfactory@wicksteedpark.org at least two weeks in advance to your existing booking to make amendments. All party guests must be a maximum of 8 years old.
• Party payments are non refundable or transferable in the event that a party guest or the birthday child is unable to attend.
• All party guests must be accompanied in the building by an adult/ caregiver who will be responsible for them whilst on site. The responsible adults must agree to the Rules of Play for the Building.
• Party Guests will be permitted access to the building between the times that the party has been booked for and will need to leave the building after this.
• No other third party contractors with entertainment services may be brought into Wickys Play Factory by the Person booking the party.
• For parties booked during the day the party package will include up to 90 minutes play on the Play Equipment and 30 minutes for food in their dedicated party section.
• Food service time for your party will be confirmed by the Play Factory Team on guest arrival.
• For exclusive parties booked in the evenings guests will be permitted access from 5:30pm and will need to vacate the building by 7:30pm.
• Guests are welcome to provide their own birthday cake but this cannot be stored by the company for them.
• Decorations- sparklers, indoor fireworks, candles (other than the birthday cake), confetti or glitter bombs are not permitted. If you wish to bring in table decorations or balloons you are welcome to but this will need to be set up in the time inclusive of your allocated party slot and not before. We are unable to attach decorations to our fixtures and fittings that may leave a lasting mark or cause damage.
• We ask that you notify us in advance of any special dietary requirements for party guests and the adults responsible for the party guests must supervise when the buffet is provided. Allergen information can be checked in the Play Factory.
• If you have any further queries about your party booking please direct these to playfactory@wicksteedpark.org

• Please remind guests to remember their car registration to pay for their parking either by the app, at one of the onsite car parking machines or by purchasing an annual parking pass online.

• The speed limit is 10mph.
• Vehicles must not go on the grass between November and March.
• No persons shall drive any vehicles in the Park without valid road tax, insurance, full driving licence or whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• You must consider other users of the Park and keep volumes low.
• No Generators/Radio / Stereo/ TV noise after 10pm.
• Inappropriate behaviour or behaviour causing a nuisance is not acceptable. Failure to comply may result in you being asked to leave the Park.

There is no access for private boats on the premises.

• Children under the age of 18 must be under the constant supervision of a parent / guardian at all times.
• If you have lost your child report it immediately to the Visitor Centre / Reception (or to Security after 5pm).

• Park Management is entitled to refuse admission when this appears to be necessary in the interests of the Park and its occupants.

• Dogs must be kept on leads at all times.
•  You must clean up your dog’s mess after you.
• Dogs are not allowed in the children’s play areas.

• Swimming in the lake is done at your own risk. Wicksteed Charitable Trust accepts no responsibility for any injuries or accidents which may arise.

• There is no fishing allowed on any of our lakes.