The Galgorm Castle Fairy Trail

We had booked the Santa trail but unfortunately the dates fell in the lockdown period so we were offered dates the week later when lockdown lifted. Unfortunately the price was hiked up costing in total almost £50 for 2 adults & 2 kids. The kids enjoyed it but was steep at £7.50 for adults when you didn't even get as much as a candy cane!! Very expensive for what it was.

I was very excited to do the fairy trail as i had heard great reviews recently, however i have to be honest in saying that it was a real let down for us. I paid online for 2 adults and 3 kids which totalled £17 and after completing the trail i really feel that it was very expensive for what it was. I found it very unsafe at the start as the first few points where beside the road and it was very busy with cars the day we went. At the start we found a few of the fairy houses broken: 1 with broken glass that kids could easily reach and fairy wooden steps with metal bits sticking up that my daughter got stuck in her wellie boot. You then have to walk up the road past the garden centre and again we felt it was just abit busy and unsafe location for a childrens activity. The trail was very mucky and slippy. And then walking back to the car you have to walk again on the road. Just didnt feel the location was very safe until you got into wood area and definitely felt it was too expensive.

Visited the Christmas Fairy Trail Experience and overall left disappointed.  Without doubt the staff were very friendly however over priced for quality of the event.  Main points to be improved:

 

1) Check-in slow requires more than x1 staff member

2) Start of the trail was very run down – things did improve as you went further into the forest

3) Limited investment in quality Christmas decorations other than the character outfits – didn’t have a magical feel at all.  The Christmas trees made out of wooden pallets splattered with paint were very basic.

4) Each character gave the children a small cheap plastic toy and rather unfortunately you could see the bin bag full of supplies in clear view – this made you feel like you were in a production line! The Grinch at least had a hamper which took the bad look off it.  Ideally given a nature based activity would be better to not to use single use, non-recyclable cheap plastic toys – I know my son hasn’t bothered with any of them anyway – save the money and the planet!

5) Probably the most disappointing bit for my son was how he was given his present at the end.  A young elf told us to give him our ticket and he went into the ruins of a building that was full of cardboard thrown all over the floor and palettes of boxed toys – again feeling like a production line.  Would have been good to a least have a curtain so families couldn’t see the mess. No Merry Christmas or anything on handover just “Here!”

6) Lots of parents were trying to exchange the toys provided as appeared to be a bit of a random selection.  Unfortunately after two attempts we could not find a suitable present so we have had to buy our child a replacement gift.

7) Finally I don’t know how the price of the parent’s ticket can be justified - £10 is expensive for a cup of tea and the profit margin for this event is clearly high.

 

All in all this event did not capture the magic of Christmas and left us disappointed.  Having travelled from Belfast for this event we were left deflated for the trip home.  When I asked my son what his favourite part of the day was he said the free event we had visited earlier that day in a different location.  Not exactly the reply I was hoping given the price paid.

Overpriced, run-down, and low effort. Honestly felt like we'd been scammed after paying £16 for 2 adults and a toddler.

If graffiti covered, damp, wooden sheds randomly sprinkled throughout the woods sounds like a magical experience, then you'll love it.

An even nicer touch were the massive signs literally everywhere on the trail, demanding you pay to be on the trail or be prosecuted - you're reminded genuinely 20 times. Grim.

Visited here for Easter. We had a party of 6 which included two children. All in for our party this cost over £60. The whole experience was underwhelming. Some staff and characters were interested whereas others had no interest in being there at all. The highlight of the trail was the music being played as you walk around. We do not understand the expense for something that didn't have much going on. At the end of the trail there was 3 small bouncy castles. These were smaller than what I have hired for my kids birthday parties and certainly not capable of catering to the number of people in attendance. The coffee stand had no sugar for coffee which was only luke warm. Kids received a goodie bag which contained cheap and cheerful supermarket own brand treats. I don't understand why adults were charged at the rate they were when receiving absolutely nothing in return. The general consensus within our party was that it was a waste of time and money which could have went further elsewhere. Generally a disappointing experience and one we won't attend in future.

I attended the fairy trail with 3 of my children who all have special needs . We were welcomed very warmly by a lovely woman who really engaged with the children and explained the route etc.

We had a bit of confusion along with some other visitors on moving from point 3-4 and we also missed 13 and 14 though this was probably more to do with my poor map reading skills.

I risked the walk without my buggy as I had seen reviews stating it was difficult for buggys on parts of the trail. I was glad I did leave it behind the trail is very mucky (bring your wellys) and in certain parts it would have been difficult for me to manoeuvre it alone . If you have someone to help you it would be fine though .

The children were enchanted with the fairy houses and they loved the school and mud kitchen . It was very magical and lovely to see my youngest child really engage and show interest in something.

Upon return the kids got little gifts and sweets in the shop it was reasonably priced and the young girl was lovely she even came out from behind the counter and helped my daughter pick an ice lolly, and answered some very random questions as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

I would highly recommend the fairy trail as a fun day out

Brilliant wee day. The fairy trail is gorgeous as are the surroundings. Bring your wellies there is loads of path but parts of the fairy trail goes into the woods so is quite mucky. The kids had an absolute ball.

This is an absolutely fantastic day out for families, the fairy trail itself is so beautifully lead out and so well kept. Inspires so much imagination and wonder even in my 18 month old niece who loved the fairy doors and fairy bell. The Staff at Toad Cottage were so helpful with any questions about facilities (car parking and toilets) and advice about the trail for the pram. Would highly recommend!!

Had a lovely afternoon here with 2 grand kids and it was dry warm and 🌞. Lovely walk through the woods finding all the fairy stations found on the map. The kids enjoyed finding the locations and the fairy homes which were all well made and as my grand daughter said the trail was very well laid out and well made. The trip was very reasonable for 2 hours in fresh air and keeping kids amused👏👏. Make sure comfortable shoes are worn.

Amazing Christmas fairy trail. Everyone was so friendly and took time to speak to my 2 year old. Santa was amazing and it’s the first time my 2 year old has went anywhere near santa, he took his time to speak to her. Definitely would recommend