Where Is The Biggest Lemax Winter Village In Britain?

It’s that time of year when a little bit of magic starts to appear, and often, it begins with the flick of a switch. But this year at Tingley Garden Centre, that flick of a switch was extra special. A local youngster from Pontefract was given the job of a lifetime: helping Santa himself bring Britain’s biggest Lemax Winter Village to life. This wasn’t just any light switch-on; it was the start of something magical for one very special family and for everyone visiting the garden this festive season.

A special helper for Santa

Imagine being five years old and getting a call-up from the big man in red. That’s exactly what happened to Thomas Kerry, a youngster from Ackworth. Tingley Garden Centre ran a competition looking for a little helper to assist Santa with the grand opening of the Lemax Winter Village, and Thomas was the lucky winner. His mother, Bethany, nominated him, and it’s fair to say there couldn’t have been a more perfect candidate. The competition was all about finding someone to help make the village come alive, and young Thomas Kerry certainly did that, creating a memory that will last a lifetime for his family. It’s a brilliant story that shows how a simple competition can turn into something truly heartwarming.

More than just a garden centre

For Thomas and his family, Tingley is more than just a place to pick up a few plants. It holds a very special place in their hearts, as his mum Bethany explained. It became a sanctuary for them during a difficult time. Bethany said:

“Thomas was born 10 weeks early and was given a 40% chance of survival. Tingley was one of the first places we went to with Thomas as a baby and, as nervous first time parents of a premature baby, any outing came with mass anxiety. Tingley soon became our safe place as a family, somewhere to go that we could be ourselves. Thomas is now five, beating the odds, but we still go to Tingley. We are now regulars and call staff our friends. They all accept Thomas for who he is, allow him to be himself and make us feel comfortable. All the Bloom’s staff are a credit to the company and the most supportive people that I have come across as a mum. It was an honour for Thomas to turn the lights on for the staff and customers, and a magical memory that will live with us forever.”

It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the places we visit regularly, like a local garden centre, become part of our family’s story. It’s not just about the shopping; it’s about the people and the feeling of belonging.

What’s inside the Lemax Winter Village?

So, what exactly is this Lemax Winter Village? Well, if you love all things miniature and Christmassy, you’re in for a treat. Lemax are famous for their amazing miniature collectables – tiny, detailed buildings, people, and scenes that come together to create incredible festive displays. And the one at Tingley is the biggest single display in all of Britain. The free-to-visit village is a whole world in miniature. It features:

• A snowy ski village
• A bustling miniature town
• Santa’s magical wonderland
• A quiet forest and a park
• A lively carnival

The display even includes 49 brand new collectables for 2025, so there’s something new for even the biggest fans to spot. And it doesn’t stop there. The village is home to three shimmering lakes and has a UK-first: a festive footbridge crossing a wishing lake. Visitors can toss a coin in and make a wish, and it’s all for a good cause. Every coin collected will be donated to a fantastic local charity, Martin House Children’s Hospice, which is the Yorkshire Garden Centre Group’s charity of the year.

A massive bit of magic at Tingley

The team at Yorkshire Garden Centres are delighted to have the village officially open, and it was all thanks to Thomas and Bethany. They really brought the magic to the grand opening. “Thanks to Thomas and Bethany, the ‘mini in model size, but massive in magic’ Lemax Winter Village is now open, and we look forward to welcoming lots of families, young and old, to make memories here at Tingley this festive season,” said Yorkshire Garden Centres’ marketing manager, Harriet Hardiment. That phrase, ‘mini in model size, but massive in magic,’ sums it up perfectly. It’s these kinds of attractions that create those special festive memories for families, offering a wonderful day out that gets everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Festive fun across Yorkshire

Tingley Garden Centre is part of the brilliant Yorkshire Garden Centres family, which looks after a whole group of fantastic local garden centres. This includes Tong, Otley, Bingley, and Shelley Garden Centres, as well as Dean’s in York and Scarborough. And the festive fun isn’t just happening at Tingley. There will also be amazing Lemax Winter Village displays at Tong, Otley, and Dean’s York, so you’re never too far from a bit of miniature magic. The group is kicking off its whole series of festive events with Sparkle late-night shopping evenings, starting on 16th October at all centres except for Tong. Back at Tingley Garden Centre, the Lemax village is just the beginning. The centre will also be home to an all-weather ice rink, a spectacular new Light Trail at Mission Out, and the ever-popular Breakfast and Storytime with Santa events. There’s a whole winter wonderland of activities planned, making it a must-visit destination for families across Yorkshire this Christmas.