by Mary Graham

He is of course used to travelling thousands of miles for his work, but this year Santa faces an additional 10-mile dash in the run-up to Christmas.

It all begins on November 14, when the Hop Farm Family Park, in Paddock Wood, and Bewl Water, Lamberhurst, both host Christmas experiences.

This week the Hop Farm launched its Santa’s Magical Kingdom, billed as the UK’s largest indoor experience to open in the UK. It will feature a giant marquee resplendent with Christmas scenes, from elves hammering away in workshops, to giant Christmas trees and a reindeer enclosure.

The £1 million attraction is nearly complete and when finished it will offer families a two-and-a-half hour experience, with prices starting at £25 per person. It's the brainchild of the Hop Farm's Peter Bull.

Eight different areas have been created inside the marquee, including a forest of lights, a post office where children can post their messages to Santa, a reindeer area, a puppet show, Victorian carousel, and naturally a visit to Santa, with presents.

But, it is just under 10 miles away from the Lapland UK experience at Bewl Water. Lapland UK has been running since 2006, originally starting at Bedgebury Pinetum.

An official launch of the outside venue is due to take place in the next few weeks.

Mr Bull, who became the Hop Farm’s owner last year, said: “We are aware that it could be portrayed as the battle of Christmasses, but this is different ours is indoors.

“Our research showed many people were paying £6-10 to queue for an hour at a shopping mall, for five minutes with Santa.

“This is about creating a full indoor experience, at the right price, and I don’t think its a bad thing if Kent becomes known as the county for Christmas experiences.”

About 5,000 advance bookings for Santa’s Magical Kingdom have already been made and people will book time slots to visit the attraction.