In spring 2023, Northumberland is set to open up the world's largest play structure.
At Lilidorei, the Alnwick Garden's latest addition, it will always be Christmas - or the nine clans of magical creatures will at least be preparing for Yuletide around the castle of Elfwin Drin. And work on Lilidorei, the brainchild of the Duchess of Northumberland Jane Percy, is well under way.
A number of clan houses already installed, but it's the world's biggest play structure that makes the jaw drop. The 26-metre tall structure, named Elfvindrin, is the height of an eight story building, weighs an approximate 150 tonnes and sits on a 1,000 ton concrete base.
Read more: Lilidorei clan houses arrive at Alnwick Garden after journey of more than 300 miles
It has six slides, four of which are tube slides that cover an overall distance of 90 metres, along with 170 metres of bridges and 126 metres of towers. The structure is so big that the company which made it, Monstrum, had to build a new warehouse to accommodate it.
Three Santa's grottoes have also been installed, along with a selection of clan houses (for hobgoblins, elves and pixies - with more set to come), which will have their stories told by an "immersive" sound experience. There will also be a café, food stalls and a village green where parents can relax as their children play.
Along with the play structures, more than 1,300 Nordman fir trees are being planted on site to create a Christmassy forest, with local schools involved in the planting. And should things go to plan, those schools will be back during term time, when "Free Fridays" are offered - with the attention that all children in Northumberland and the surrounding areas can visit the attraction for free during their primary education.
In terms of tourism, Lilidorei is aiming to bring another 280,000 people to the region. The hope is that they will visit outside of Northumberland's busy summer season and that could mean a boost to the economy of Alnwick and the surrounding area by tens of millions of pounds over the next ten years.
Aidan Harrison, project co-ordinator of Lilidorei, said: "The playground structure was built in Denmark earlier this year and the Danes arrived in September. Now, we're trying to imagine how children will get up there and how many will get on and play on the mixture of slides, high level walkways and numerous routes out.
"We think you could easily lose 150 - 200 children up here at any one time!"
Ian McAllister, director of communications at the Alnwick Garden, said: "The whole concept is that all of the nine clans are working towards Christmas, no matter what time of year you come. There are sprites, elves, fairies, pixies, goblins, hobgoblins, trolls, dwarves and squiffles (which are like squirrels).
"Some clans will be helpful for Christmas and some might be a bit more mischievous - we've got a jail for them and any naughty kids! We're flipping the narrative and making it child centric, and we're saying that adults are allowed but only if they're with a responsible child!"
Lilidorei is due to open in spring 2023 and its construction has been documented in a Channel 4 programme which is still being filmed. It is likely to be aired next year.
Are you planning to visit Lilidorei when it opens next spring? Let us know!
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