I have fond memories of visiting shop Christmas displays as a child and are keen for my boys to share that experience. Having been disappointed with what Centre MK are offering again this year – you can read my review here – we were keen to see if there was anywhere locally in Milton Keynes that had festive displays. Frosts Garden Centre in Milton Keynes has got some really lovely features that are interactive for children. Watch my video below and then scroll down for more information.
What is Frosts Garden Centre?
Garden centres have changed a lot since I was a child. They used to be somewhere you used to visit to buy plants. Now they can be a whole day out regardless of your age. Frosts in Milton Keynes is one of the better ones we’ve visited and normally stocks loads of stuff for the garden, homeware, children’s toys, books etc. It’s located in Woburn Sands. They have a big cafe / restaurant and do afternoon tea. In the summer they have a mini-beach… you get the idea. It’s one of the most popular (and expensive) places to see Santa in Milton Keynes. They put the price up this year, and despite a lot of negative comments on social media, they’ve still sold out in the week leading up to Christmas. They also have an ice-skating rink. My 4 year old son has been with his school and enjoyed it as it seems quite well geared up for younger children, but again this is something you pay for.
What can you see for free at Frosts and where is it?
We’re really impressed this year. Inside there’s a talking reindeer called Dasher. Both of my boys were rather taken with him. (Yes, for anyone who went last year, they had three singing reindeer, but this one is still very chatty and worth watching. Children press a button to start him speaking. There’s a singing Santa tree. In all honesty it’s a bit weird. The Santas sing and move up and down – but it’s a bit like they’ve had too much sherry. There’s a very pretty reindeer and a large polar bear that you can pose with as well as a small peek-a-boo model train. Inside there’s also a pretty Cinderella-type carriage and a talking postbox. Outside there’s a Christmas pudding that children can climb in and a couple of pretty Christmas scenes near the grotto. The address is Newport Rd, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes MK17 8UE.
Is there anywhere for children to play at Frosts and when should we go?
Yes. There is a small play area right at the back of the cafe. I’d say it’s most suitable for young children and has wooden games to play with rather than anything to play on. It’d keep them amused for a short amount of time whilst you have a coffee. Just to add, from what I recall last year Frosts were quite quick to take down the bigger Christmas displays so I’d visit before 25th December.
What else can we do in the local area?
If you’re going to Frosts then you might as well go to Wyevale garden centre as well. As you come out of Frosts take a left and literally about 100m down the road is another garden centre. They have a cheap small play area which is suitable for under 5s. You can read our review here. There’s also fish and a couple of animatronic displays. Also within walking distance is Wavendon park
I'm Laura, mum of two boys - aged six and four. I started this website at the end of Sept 2015 whilst on maternity leave. I now work four days a week and do this blog late at night once the little boys are sleeping. It's won several awards over the last four years and I continue to run it for free and mostly focus on free, cheap, and good value days out. Do drop me an email laura@miltonkeyneskids.com if you want to contact me. Don't forget to follow all of our latest adventures on facebook, instagram and twitter and have a look at all of the videos of the places we visit on the Milton Keynes Kids YouTube Channel - subscribe to it for notifications every time I add a new place. And remember... you may been reading this post months after we visited, do check with the destination you're visiting for up to date opening times and prices. If you find this blog useful then please do comment on my posts and leave me a Facebook review - it makes doing this all the more worthwhile.
