We are moving to the Nimbus Disability Access card for everyone wishing to book an essential companion ticket for all our 2025 events, this means that we will no longer accept the following documents as checks of eligibility:

• PIPs / DLA with mobility at the higher rate
• Attendance Allowance
• Blind Person’s Registration
• Armed Forces Independence Payment

Why we have decided to partner with Nimbus Disability:

• We believe that everyone has the right to access quality entertainment without barriers.
• To help provide us with greater understanding of the needs of our access customers we have chosen to work with Nimbus Disability, who is the company behind the innovative and award-winning Access Card. This card is helping to improve the lives of tens of thousands of disabled people by enabling them better access to entertainment venues across the UK and wider afield.
• The Access Card has been adopted by a significant number of other organisations, including Merlin Entertainment (Alton Towers, LEGOLAND etc.) and locally Norwich Theatre Royal.

The card helps to alleviate the frustrations felt by all when trying to book an essential companion:

• For disabled visitors, it means that they do not have to e mail personal documents each time they wish to book.
• We can provide an instant confirmation of the essential companion ticket when the booking is made over the phone (we anticipate that once registered any future bookings can be made on-line without the necessity to phone the Box Office).
• For Thursford it will remove the frustration of interpreting the client’s documents and will remove the additional administrative burden it places on the team.

Applying:

You can of course apply for a Nimbus card at any time (please note we do already accept the Access card with the +1 or +2 symbol for essential companions for the 2024 season), however when the full programme launches in December there are two version of card that you can apply for:

1. The free version, known as a Digital Access card for use at Thursford only. The process is the same as  applying for the £15 version, but to reiterate, it can only be used at Thursford. It will normally be valid for three years. This option will only be available to apply for from 1 December 2024 and we will issue a communication in advance with the link to apply.
2. The full Access Card (available now), the card costs £15 for up to three years’ membership (dependent on individual circumstances). The full card provides you with the same benefits as the free registration, with the addition of the following:

• Recognised at venues across the UK & beyond
• Potential free companion tickets at events and venues across the UK
• Receive a Photo ID card with symbols relating to accessibility needs
• Informative online access directory
• Access to a closed Facebook Community group

This facility is available to sign up to now, to register for £15, valid for three years, click here.

When you register, Nimbus Disability will handle all your information securely and safely without Thursford ever having cause to see the detail behind why you need accessible seating options.

If you are not able to use online forms and would be unable, because of the nature of your impairment, to access online sales you do still need to register. Nimbus will be able to assist with telephone registration on 0330 808 5108.

 The principle symbols we will encounter are:

• +1 & +2 – for those who require an Essential Companion/s.
• Assistance Dogs – for those who need to bring an Assistance Dog.
• Standing & queueing (Fantasy Land)
• Misc – where applicable and appropriate.

In the meantime if you have any questions please e mail [email protected] and we will endeavour to help.

Armed Forces Covenant

Thursford Enterprises are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, as such we offer regulars, reservists, veterans and their immediate military families the following:

A 10% discount on The Christmas Spectacular, Enchanted Journey of Light and Santa’s Magical Journey. Please note the discount applies to full priced tickets (discounted tickets or tickets that qualify for a complimentary carer will not be further discounted).

Eligibility: The discounted tickets for all events must be booked via the Box Office on 01328 878477, our phonelines are open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 16:00.

If the tickets are booked on line, we are sorry, but we cannot add the discount.

To confirm eligibility for the 10% discount, Thursford will need to receive a copy of the Defence Discount Service card at the time of booking (Christmas Spectacular, Santa’s Magical Journey & the Enchanted Journey of Light)

Please note the 10% discount will not apply on discounted /special offer tickets.

In the event of cancellation

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. However, in the event the service person is posted at short notice either overseas or to an area outside the service provision we will refund the tickets if necessary. This is providing we are informed as soon as you are notified of any change of circumstances (so that we have an opportunity to resell the tickets).

Prior to giving any refund we will need evidence of the posting and will accept the original call up letter with any sensitive information blocked out.

N.B By ‘Immediate’ we mean card holder, their partner and children. 

AUDITORIUM

The Christmas Spectacular takes place inside and the auditorium does become quite warm during the performance.

Dress as you see fit, but you may like to bring a coat for the walk to and from the car park and if attending the Enchanted Journey of Light, which takes place both in and outside.

CHILDREN

Important: Children under the age of 5 are not permitted entry to the Christmas Spectacular as the Spectacular is designed for an adult audience and does contain adult humour. If tickets are booked and entry is refused Thursford will not refund the price of the tickets.

We have an advisory age limit of 8 years old for the show, due to its longevity and adult content.

Thursford’s Events for Children Thursford does have two other events that are suitable for children these are Santa’s Magical Journey and the Enchanted Journey of Light, both go on sale late June / early July. Please check our website for details or sign up for alerts.

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE

The performance lasts 3 hours and has a 25-minute interval.

Show times are as follows:

• 2pm – 5pm (14:00 – 17:00)
• 7pm – 10pm (19:00 – 22:00)

All visitors must be seated at least 5 minutes before the performance at 1:55 (13:55) and 6:55 (18:55).

Latecomers will not be able to enter until a suitable break in the performance.

Aisles As the cast use the aisles during the performance, all obstacles will be removed during the performance. Wheelchairs and walking aids will be stored during the performance. If you have an assistance dog we must be notified in advance so that you are allocated a seat where the animal will not be a hazard to the cast.

Interval Drinks Can be ordered and paid for at the bar in the auditorium before the performance, for collection during the interval

Strobe Lights & Vapour Mist As each year’s performance varies, please call the office on 01328 878477 to check.

COACH OPERATORS

Whilst Thursford does not operate coach tours we do have a link on our website to some travel companies who operate excursions to Thursford, please note it is not a definitive list: https://www.thursford.com/coach-operators/ . If you would like to book with a coach company, you will need to contact them directly.

If you have booked your tickets via a coach company and have any questions that are not answered here, please speak to the coach company who, if necessary will contact Thursford.

Confidentiality We are unable to give out any information regarding your booking if you have booked via a coach company. This is because the coach companies are also our customers, and we are bound to GDPR legislation.

DINING

We have the Garden Pavilion restaurant, Barn café and 6 gift shops on site, all of which can be accessed with or without a ticket during our opening hours. Located in the auditorium, our Carousel tea bar and Licensed bar are available to patrons of the show only.

Table Bookings We do not take any bookings for our restaurant or café, both are served on a first-come first-served basis.

Table Availability Even though our café and restaurant are not bookable, we are used to a high turnover of guests; 95% are working to a timed ticket so most people move along pretty quickly so they can also visit the shops before the performance starts.

Dietary requirements We cater for gluten free, nut allergies, vegan etc. Please phone the Box Office on 01328 878477 to find out more.

Bringing Food & Drink. You may bring your own food and drink but it may not be eaten in our dining areas / restaurants. If you wish to bring your own food and drink on site, this will need to be consumed in your seats in the auditorium.

Mince Pies & Mulled Wine are always sold at Thursford.

Strictly no alcohol is to be brought on site.

DIRECTIONS

We are well sign posted; one mile off the A148, halfway between Fakenham and Holt, take the turn off at the Crawfish Inn and follow the brown attraction signs for the Thursford Collection

During the Christmas Spectacular run we also display AA road signs

If you are using a form of GPS, then please use the postcode to find us:

Thursford Collection
Thursford
Fakenham
Norfolk
NR21 0AS.

what3words location /// guards.settle.enchanted

ENCHANTED JOURNEY OF LIGHT

Spectacular Tickets & entry to the Enchanted Journey of Light (EJOL): Your Christmas Spectacular ticket entitles you to entrance to the show only.

Special Offer As a special offer to Spectacular customers, we you may enter Fantasy Land and The Enchanted Journey of Light, prior to the performance you are attending at a reduced show-goers rate of £10.00 per person.

This is offer is subject to availability and as such cannot be pre-booked.  You will need to present your show ticket at the entrance and pay on entry.

If you would like guaranteed entry and a specific time slot you will need to book online (tickets go on sale in late June / early July, please check our website for details nearer the time).

Entry Times Entry for this offer is between 12 noon – 1pm for those attending the matinee and 5 – 6pm for those attending the 7pm performance.

If those attending the matinee performance want to visit EJOL after the matinee they will need to pay the full, advertised rate and book in advance.

ESSENTIAL COMPANIONS

Essential companion tickets are only available to book from the Box Office on 01328 878477 as we require evidence of eligibility. These are as follows:

• Attendance Allowance
• PIPs/DLA at the higher / enhanced mobility rate
• Blind Person’s Registration
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• NIMBUS CredAbility’s Access Card with +1 symbol

We cannot apply essential companion discounts retrospectively.

Please note where tickets are priced at different bands the essential companion ticket will be deducted against the cheaper ticket/s.

Note for 2025 season: As we endeavour to improve the booking experience for those who need an essential companion, for 2025 we will be partnering with Nimbus Disability and the Access card (with +1 symbol) as the only form of evidence that we will require to book an essential companion ticket. We will update in advance of the 2025 season, in the meantime for more information please see: https://www.accesscard.online/how-it-works/

LOST PROPERTY

We will store any lost property that we find for 30 days after the date it was found. Thereafter we will donate all items to charity.

Our crew clean the auditorium and the Fantasy Land building every night and any items that are found are brought to the office in the morning.

MOBILITY SCOOTERS, WHEELCHAIRS & WALKING AIDS

You are very welcome to bring these with you, but if you need to remain in your wheelchair you will need to book a wheelchair space at time of booking, please book over the phone on 01328 878477 as they are not available to book on the website.

Storage If you can transfer into a seat, please ask an Usher to show you where the wheelchair can be stored during the performance. We cannot permit items to be left in the aisles during the performance.

Wheelchair Hire – sorry we do not hire out wheelchairs.

OPENING & CLOSING TIMES – COMPLEX

The complex opens at 12 noon, except when Santa’s Magical Journey is operating (weekends in late November & December and Christmas week) when the complex opens at 10am

Shops open at 12 noon, except on Sant’s Magical Journey dates when they open at 10am.

Generally the complex closes after the last Spectacular performance at 17:30 and 22:00, except where the Enchanted Journey of Light or Santa’s Magical Journey are operating evening slots (late November weekends)

PARKING

There is a large, free car park on site.

Opening times: the carpark opens at 11:30am except on days when Santa’s Magical Journey is running when it opens at 9:30am

Distance to auditorium entrance: it’s roughly a 5-minute walk. The closest side of the car park is 600 yards from the auditorium entrance.

Disabled parking: We have a limited number of disabled parking spaces. Please show your Blue Badge to the car park attendant as you enter, and you will be directed to the best available parking space.

Exiting We do not manage cars exiting the car park after the last performance of the day, it takes roughly 30 minutes for the car park to clear.

Overnight Parking we are sorry but we can no longer accommodate motorhomes or camper vans overnight in our car park.

PAYMENT

Debit or Credit cards Our preferred payment method is by debit or credit card, so where possible please pay by one of these methods. However, we do accept cash and change will always be given. Please note we do not accept American Express.

Payment Bookings below 20 tickets are only secured once full payment has been received on the day of booking, as we do not hold tickets without payment (except for those wishing to book an essential carer ). For bookings of 20+ these are secured either by a payment of a £2 per person non-refundable deposit (or when paid in full if booked prior to the deposit go live date). Group bookings must be paid in full 8 weeks prior to the performance booked or the tickets will be released for resale and the deposit retained.

SEATS

Seats Our best seats are the Deluxe followed by the Centre Raised; these do sell out quickly so make sure to book early.

Chair sizes:

Standard seat size width is 39cm (Centre raised, Left & Right raised and Flat)

Deluxe seat size width is 43cm, deluxe seats also have a 6cm wide arm rest.

Wider seats – we do have two chairs of 68cm width.  The wider chairs can only be booked on request via the Box Office and are limited to the following locations on the Flat:  O40 (Centre Flat), HH1 (Right Flat), ZK16, ZH19 & ZF17 (Left Flat).

Steps The first step is 6 inches off the ground, the subsequent are no more than 4 inches in height.

Columns & Pillars We do not sell seats with an obstructed view as the stage is so long and all of it is in use. There are columns and pillars dotted throughout the auditorium in front of rows M – XB and MM – TT. They are narrow so you should have a good view from anywhere in the auditorium.

ONLINE / WEB ACCOUNT

Passwords: Your password should be made up of letters and numbers and whilst there is no requirement to include a symbol, the following are accepted:  @ $ ! – % _* # ? &

Logging On If you are an existing user click on the blue figure in the top right-hand corner, enter your e mail address and password.

New Customers If you are a new customer select your tickets etc and then enter your details in the boxes and at the bottom of the page, click on Register

Exiting Customer Login Because we use a third-party ticket service provider, to be able to log into your account you need to select the option to ‘book’ again. This will bring you to the page where you can then log in and access your account and previous bookings.

Forgotten Password Click on this link to reset your password https://tickets.thursford.com/WEBPAGES/EntaWebLogon/PasswordRequest.aspx

The New Password Ignore the convoluted code and enter a new password twice, click Continue, enter the new password again and then click on Log in.

SHOPPING & SHOPS – Opening & Closing Times 

Opening Times Shops open at 12 noon, except when Santa’s Magical Journey is operating when they open at 10am.

Closing Times Shops will close after the interval of the last show of the day. On a one performance day they will close at 3:45 (15:45) and on a two-performance day they will close at 8:45pm (20:45)

Spectacular DVD We are sorry, but we do not have a DVD of the show and there are no plans to create one.

Spectacular CD CDs are on sale in our shops and online: https://shop.thursford.com/

Online Shop If you have forgotten to buy a programme or a CD with a compilation of Thursford Spectacular music please follow the link to our online shop:  https://shop.thursford.com/

STEAM MUSEUM & STEAM ENGINES

Steam Engines Some Steam engines will be on display or at least visible, however during the Spectacular run most are moved into storage as the museum is transformed into the auditorium where the show takes place.

Steam Museum The Steam Museum opens in April until the end of August: https://www.thursford.com/steam-museum/

TERMS & CONDITIONS

We know it is tedious but please do read our Terms & Conditions, this is a requirement in order to confirm  your booking.

TICKETS

Direct Bookings Booking directly with Thursford, you can either:  book through our website or call the Box Office on 01328 878477.

Essential Companion Tickets are only available to book from the Box Office as we require evidence of eligibility. These are as follows:

• Attendance Allowance
• PIPs/DLA at the higher / enhanced mobility rate
• Blind Person’s Registration
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• NIMBUS CredAbility’s Access Card with +1 symbol

Note for 2025 season: As we endeavour to improve the booking experience for those who need an essential companion, for 2025 we will be partnering with Nimbus Disability and the Access card as the only form of evidence that we will require to book an essential companion ticket. We will update in advance of the 2025 season, in the meantime for more information please see: https://www.accesscard.online/how-it-works/

Tickets not received Tickets are hard copy and are posted, second class mail. If you have not received your tickets (outside of 7 days of the performance booked) please call the Box Office. You must have tickets to enter the auditorium.

Care of Box Office Inside seven days of the performance tickets are held Care of Box Office (COBO). Please give yourself an extra 30 minutes on the day to come and see us at the Box Office. You will need to bring your confirmation email and a form of ID (driver’s license or passport) and we will be able to print them off again for you.

Lost Tickets If your Spectacular tickets have not arrived, please call the Box Office on 01328 878477, providing you can confirm various details in the booking we will reprint them. There is a £1 per ticket reprint fee for each lost or mislaid ticket.

Despatch of Tickets Tickets are posted out 2nd class post. All tickets are sent in a window envelope and franked with a Thursford logo. If you wish your tickets to be sent anonymously please phone the Box Office office to book your seats.

XCOVER

Refund protection provided by ‘XCover’ covers the cost of your tickets so you can apply for a refund should you be unable to attend the event. As with all insurance cover exclusions apply so please read the Terms & Conditions. XCover will require evidence to support a claim, for example you will not be able to claim if you change your mind or for a bad tummy without a Doctor’s note.

The cover has a 14 day cooling off period from the date of booking , if you decide it is not for you please e mail Thursford within 14 days and we will refund the premium.

Refund protection cannot be added retrospectively.

Please read the Terms & Conditions – the supporting documentation is only 3 pages!

For details and how to make a claim  – https://www.xcover.com/en/pds/booking-refund-protection-uk

We offer refund protection as we do not carry the cost of tickets over to the following year and because all tickets are sold as ‘non-refundable’ and ‘non-transferable’.

Christmas Spectacular tickets do not include automatic entry to Santa’s Magical Journey or the Enchanted Journey of Light.

Special Offer for Spectacular Ticket Holders (subject to availability):

Christmas Spectacular ticket holders can enter the Enchanted Journey of Light at the discounted entry price of £10 per person when a Christmas Spectacular ticket is presented at the entrance to the Fantasy Land building.

The Enchanted Journey of Light consists of a walk-through the Fantasy Land building to see the Christmas / winter scenes, followed by a short walk up to the meadow outside to see the illuminated Lanterns (it is fully accessible).

Matinee performance:

If you wish to take advantage of the discounted price you will need to access the interior part of the Enchanted Journey of Light before the performance. But you can ask to have your ticket stamped so you can return after 5pm to see the illuminations in the dark (you may not start the full event after the performance).

If you do not have your ticket stamped, you will be asked to pay the £10 fee again.

Last entry is at 1:15pm as there will not be time to complete the experience

Evening Performance

Those attending the evening performance should arrive at 5pm.

Last entry is at 6:15pm as there will not be time to complete the experience.

The illuminations cannot be visited after the evening performance as the complex closes at 10pm.

Discounted tickets cannot be transferred to another date.

Availability

The special rate for Christmas Spectacular customers cannot be pre-booked on line or via the office, so please avoid checking online availability or opening dates on the Enchanted Journey of Light booking pages as this offer operates outside of the advertised, bookable dates. To reiterate, it will be available to Christmas Spectacular ticket holders throughout the run from 8th November to 23 December.

Payment is required on entry, on the date on your Christmas Spectacular ticket/s only. The offer cannot be transferred to another date. If you would like to visit on a different time or date you will need to book one of the  ‘official’ event dates that are advertised on our website.

Please be aware, this offer is subject to availability and entry is not guaranteed. As the offer is subject to availability,  preferred dates and times can only be guaranteed if tickets are purchased at the full price on advertised dates which may not align with the date of your visit to the Christmas Spectacular (please check the website for details).

THURSFORD COLLECTION

Equality and Diversity Policy

The Thursford Collection is dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive culture amongst the whole workforce. It is within our best interest to promote diversity and eliminate discrimination in the workplace.

Our aim is to ensure that all employees and job applicants are given equal opportunity and that our organisation is representative of all sections of society. Each employee will be respected and valued and able to give their best as a result.

This policy reinforces our commitment to providing equality and fairness to all in our employment and not provide less favourable facilities or treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, religion or belief, or sex and sexual orientation. We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.

All employees, no matter whether they are part-time, full-time, or temporary, will be treated fairly and with respect. When the Thursford Collection selects candidates for employment, promotion, training, or any other benefit, it will be on the basis of their aptitude and ability.

All employees will be given help and encouragement to develop their full potential and utilise their unique talents. Therefore, the skills and resources of our organisation will be fully utilised and we will maximise the efficiency of our whole workforce.

Our commitments:

• To create an environment in which individual differences and the contributions of all team members are recognised and valued.
• To create a working environment that promotes dignity and respect for every employee.
• To not tolerate any form of intimidation, bullying, or harassment, and to discipline those that breach this policy.
• To make training, development, and progression opportunities available to all staff.
• To promote equality in the workplace, which the Thursford Collection believes is good management practice and makes sound business sense.
• To encourage anyone who feels they have been subject to discrimination to raise their concerns so we can apply corrective measures.
• To encourage employees to treat everyone with dignity and respect.
• To regularly review all our employment practices and procedures so that fairness is maintained at all times.

The Thursford Collection will inform all employees that an equality and diversity policy is in operation and that they are obligated to comply with its requirements and promote fairness in the workplace.

The policy will also be drawn to the attention of the Trustees, funding agencies, stakeholders, customers, learners, and job applicants.

The Thursford Collection equality and diversity policy is fully supported by senior management.

Please click the link to view our terms and conditions

Terms and conditions