Member Article

A touch of magic is on the menu at Lilidorei

FROM Hobgoblin Fingers to Troll Snot ice cream, the Duchess of Northumberland’s creative flair for detail inspired her to team up with a host of local confectioners and caterers to create the spellbinding menu on offer at Lilidorei, which opened its doors to the public last week.

Whilst the nine clans of Lilidorei love to feast on their unusual diet, creators of the magical attraction at The Alnwick Garden have adapted their culinary and flavour-diverse palate with the help of local businesses including award-winning ice cream maker Ciccarelli, the Canny Candy Gadgies and The Treehouse restaurant.

Artisan Gingerbread, Troll, Hot Chocolate and Fairy Dust fudge have all been created for the attraction by the Canny Candy Gadgies, along with jars of small lollies that the clans have made especially for their guests.

Canny Candy Gadgies founder David Richardson said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that we were invited to be involved in a project such as this. We have created exclusive brand new recipes especially and ones that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. It’s lovely that The Duchess has kept it local and supporting small businesses.”

Three branded ice cream bikes also circle the village of Lilidorei offering exclusive flavours including Troll Snot ice cream (sour apple with a gummy ripple) and Fairy Dust ice cream (raspberry ripple with hidden popping candy) that have seen visitors craving more. The Duchess said: “We are delighted to be working with some of the best suppliers in the region and are excited about what they have created exclusively for us. The menu has been inspired by what we believe the Lilidoreians like to eat but adapted to suit their human guests.”

Hot food and beverages are also available at the Groggery which has been designed like a Christmas market stall serving hot food and beverages, offering Troll Fingers (sausages) cooked on a Swing Grill BBQ, whilst the ‘Snots and Lollies’ section of the gift shop display an array of flavourful fun, consisting of dwarf diamonds, baby reindeer poop, elf tights, blue tongue turners and Squiffle whips, specially branded lollipops and chocolate bars. Of course, there is something for the big kids too, with fresh ‘magical’ muffins baked daily on site in the cupcake-shaped café for parents to relax in as their children play.

The idea of Lilidorei was developed to encourage children to use their imaginations by exploring the world of the clans made up of Sprites, Elves, Fairies, Pixies, Goblins, Hobgoblins, Trolls, Dwarves, and Squiffles, who all live together under the ruling of Lord Elfwin – king of Lilidorei.

The Duchess continued: “I’m delighted that the fanatical menu choice on offer at Lilidorei has been a big hit with visitors adding that extra little bit of magic for everyone!”

The village is set around Elfwin Drin castle - the world’s largest play structure (taller than the Angel of the North) made up of 170 metres of rope bridges and six slides, where guests can take part in daily activities and join in with stories, all helped by the ‘Secret Keeper’ guides.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rachel McBryde .