Winterville 2017 Is A South London Winter Wonderland
Genevieve Etienne-Farrell samples the festive treats and amusements on offer
Billed as an alternative festive experience, Winterville on Clapham Common is a seasonal funfair for families and groups alike. Located on Windmill Drive on the Common, south London's answer to Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland runs until January 1st 2018.
Once inside, the event is full of festive cheer featuring a selection of food stalls selling the likes of seasoned German sausages and roasted chestnuts, although these can get quite pricey.
In terms of action, there are separate fairgrounds for both adults and children; but if that still isn’t adventurous enough, there is also the option of ice skating, plonk golf, or one of the many free events that Winterville is hosting up until New Year’s Day. These events range from roller discos, to live performances, and even karaoke.
For a more relaxed experience visit the Backyard Cinema where guests can enjoy Christmas classics whilst getting into the spirit with some winter wine, winter punch or even a Baileys hot chocolate!
If it's raining or extremely cold there is an indoor tent and a bar with seating, as well as a few other sheltered areas scattered around the food outlets. I visited Winterville on a weekday night and it was relatively quiet which meant that queues lasted no longer than five minutes and there wasn’t much waiting around. However, I would imagine that this is quite a different story at peak times such as the weekends, so do be prepared and make sure you wrap up warm enough for queuing.
With so much on offer at this year’s Winterville, it may be worthwhile checking the itinerary on the website prior to your visit to get the most out of your experience. Although with free entry every night apart from Friday and Saturday, you certainly don’t have much to lose.
by Genevieve Etienne-Farrell
December 9, 2017