100+ Of The Best Santa’s Grottos And Santa Experiences In 2023
Visiting a Santa’s Grotto has always been one of the most fun Christmas activities to do with our kids since they were small.
We’re big fans of Christmas events in general and even before the kids came along we loved to visit Christmas markets in Europe and Christmas isn’t Christmas without a visit to a Santas Grotto.
When the kids were 7 and 8 we thought it was the perfect time to take them to Lapland to visit Father Christmas – the ultimate Santa’s Grotto – to ensure their belief in the magic of Christmas remained for a little while longer.
Finding the perfect Santa’s Grotto in the UK in 2023 is a little harder having just had that amazing experience, but there are some great options.
Having done all this research on the best Santa experiences in the UK in 2023, we thought we would pull together our list of top Christmas days out for kids.
We hope it will save you a LOT of time and effort and avoid hours spent searching for ‘where to see Santa near me 2023’ or ‘best Santa’s grotto near me’!
If you’re wondering where to see Santa this year, you’re sure to find him at one of these Christmas experiences.
Whether you meet him in a garden centre, department store or on a train, these UK Santa’s Grottos and Santa experiences promise to be truly magical.
**Most Christmas events will require an online booking in advance. **
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and book something, we may earn a small commission but this is at no extra cost to you.
Table of Contents
Lapland UK
Gardens and Garden Centre Santa’s Grottos
Farm Parks and Zoos
Winter Wonderlands and Light Shows
Santa Sleepovers (Theme Parks and Holiday Villages)
Christmas at Theme Parks
Santa Train Rides
Department Store and Shopping Centre Santa’s Grottos
Santa’s Grottos at Castles
National Trust Santa’s Grottos
Other places to see Santa
Seeing Santa virtually
Lapland UK
Lapland UK is in a category all by itself because it’s arguably the best Santa’s Grotto around and the ultimate place to see Santa in the UK. The ultimate Christmas experience comes at a cost but by all accounts, it’s worth it.
For when travel becomes easier again, we have a guide to booking your own Finnish Lapland holiday at a fraction of the cost of a package holiday.
Our guide to booking a DIY Lapland trip explains how to have the ultimate Santa experience on a budget. See also what to pack for Lapland with kids.
Tickets are sold out but you can sign up to be on the cancellation list.
Dates: 12th November 2023 to 24th December 2023.
Ticket Price: From £65 to £135 per person.
Location: Lapland UK, Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8BD.
Lapland UK
Gardens and Garden Centre Santa’s Grottos 2023
Here is just a short list of Santa’s Grottos at garden centres across the UK. Some of these garden centres have multiple locations in the UK.
If you don’t see one near you, just searching for ‘garden centre with Santa’s Grotto near me’ will give you more options.
Marsh Farm
The Father Christmas Experience at Marsh Farm
Dates: 18th November to 24th December 2023.
Ticket Price: From £39.00 – £70.00 per person. Under 1 Free.
Location: Marsh Farm, Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5WP.
See also our guide to the Christmas events happening in Essex and Christmas markets in Essex for more festive days out.
Frosts Garden Centres
Santa’s Grotto at Frosts
Dates: 2023 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: Only family tickets available to book – (1 Adult & 1 Child – £22.00, 2 Adult & 2 Child – £44.00). Additional Adult – £3.50 and additional child – £15.00.
Location: Woburn Sands Millets Farm Willington
Skylark Garden Centre
Christmas at Skylark (see also Christmas events in Cambridgeshire)
Dates: Weekends from 25th November to 24th December 2023.
Ticket Price: Tickets on sale in September.
Location: Skylark Garden Centre, Manea Road, Wimblington, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 0PE.
Burston Garden Centre
Santa’s Grotto at Burston Garden Centre (see also Christmas events in Hertfordshire)
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: £10.00 per child (£1 per accompanying adult).
Location: Burston Garden Centre, North Orbital Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 2DS.
Van Hage Garden Centre
Santa’s Grotto at Van Hage
Dates: Select dates from 4th November to 24th December 2023.
Ticket Price: £12.00 per child.
Location: Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell, Nr Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 9RP.
See more things to do at Christmas in Hertfordshire.
Poplar Nurseries
Breakfast with Santa
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: £TBC
Location: Poplar Nurseries, Coggeshall Road, Marks Tey, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1HR.
Woodland Walk Garden Centre
Woodland Walk Santa’s Grotto
Dates: Every weekend from the last weekend in November
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Woodland Walk Garden Centre, Heol Creigiau, Efail Isaf, Nr. Pontypridd, CF38 1BG.
Pugh’s Garden Village
Christmas Experience
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: Pugh’s Garden Village, Ty-Nant Road, Morganstown, Cardiff, CF15 8LB.
North Wales Garden World
Christmas Winter Wonderland
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: £6.95 per person.
Location: North Wales Garden World, St Asaph Avenue, Kinmel Bay, Conwy, LL18 5TU.
See our post on family-friendly things to do in North Wales.
Glendoick Garden Centre
Dates: 2023 dates TBC. Bookings open on 1st October 2023.
Ticket Price: £7.50 (all proceeds going to charity).
Location: Glendoick, Glencarse, Perthshire, PH2 7NS.
Springtime Nurseries Crews Hill
The Crews Hill Santa Grotto is part of their Christmas Wonderland.
Dates: TBC (tickets on sale from September).
Ticket Price: £12.00 per child and £4.00 per adult.
Location: Springtime Nurseries, Cattlegate Road, Crews Hill, Middlesex, EN2 9EE.
Dobbies Garden Centres
Dobbies Santas Grotto
Dates: 24th November to 24th December 2023.
Ticket Price: From £7.00 per child (online) or £8.00 on the day.
Location: There are 44 centres across the country to choose from.
Eden Project
Meet Father Christmas at Eden
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: Adult – £10.00, Child – £10.00.
Location: Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG.
Dobbies Garden Centre
Farm Parks and Zoos
ZSL London Zoo
The Magic of Christmas at London Zoo (Meet Santa is on 3rd & 4th and 10th to 24th December 2022).
Dates: 26th November to 3rd January 2023.
Ticket Price: Adult – £28.50. Child – £18.55.
Location: London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY.
If you live locally, their annual membership is definitely worth getting. See also what is going on at Whipsnade Zoo at Christmas.
Edinburgh Zoo
Santa’s Grotto (part of the Edinburgh Zoo Christmas Nights)
Dates: Select dates from 2nd to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Daytime child from £17.00. Evening child from £18.00.
Location: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS
Easton Farm Park
Christmas on the Farm – see also more Christmas events in Suffolk.
Dates: 3rd & 4th, 10th & 11th and 17th to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adult – £10.95, Child – £18.95.
Location: Easton Farm Park, Pound Corner, Easton, Suffolk, IP13 0EQ.
Africa Alive!
Christmas at Africa Alive!
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Africa Alive, Whites Lane, Kessingland, Suffolk, NR33 7TF.
Bocketts Farm Park
Father Christmas Experience
Dates: 24th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £25.50 per child. Adult – from £6.50.
Location: Bocketts Farm Park,Young Street, Fetcham, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 9BS.
See here for more Christmas events in Surrey.
West Midland Safari & Leisure Park
Santa Safari
Dates: 25th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adult (16+) – £22.80, Child (3-16) – £19.60 and Under 3 – £13.00.
Location: West Midland Safari & Leisure Park, Spring Grove Road, Bewdley, Kidderminster, DY12 1LF.
Marwell Zoo
Christmas at Marwell – this has become Glow Marwell.
Dates: 18th November to 30th December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £15.00 per adult and £12.00 per child (3-16).
Location: Marwell Wildlife, Thompsons Lane, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1JH.
Colchester Zoo
The Magic of Christmas at Colchester Zoo
Dates: Select dates from 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: £12.50 per ticket (on top of zoo entry).
Location: Colchester Zoo, Maldon Road, Heckfordbridge, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL.
Banham Zoo
Christmas at Banham Zoo
Dates: 23rd November to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £16.95 per person. Under 1 – FREE.
Location: Banham Zoo, Kenninghall Road, Banham, Norfolk, NR16 2HE.
Bristol Zoo Gardens (see Wild Place Project)
Santa’s Grotto at Bristol Zoo Gardens
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Location:Wild Place Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol, BS10 7TP.
4 Kingdoms Adventure Park
Christmas Experience
Dates: 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adult – from £30.00. Child – from £40.00. Under 1 – £10.00.
Location: Newbury Road, Headley, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 8JY.
Paradise Wildlife Park
Paradise Wildlife Park
Dates: Every weekend from 3rd December and then 17th to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adult: £22.00, Child £20.00 – entry to the grotto is included in your park ticket.
Location: Paradise Wildlife Park, White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, EN10 7QA.
See also Broxbourne Woods Scultpure Trail which is right next door if you’re feeling like a family-friendly walk.
Drusillas Park
Christmas at Drusillas Park
Dates: 19th November to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: £17.50 per person to visit Santa (doesn’t include entry to park).
Location: Drusillas Park, Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5QS.
See here for more things to do at Christmas in Sussex.
Mead Open Farm
The Magic of Christmas
Dates: 2nd to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £22.00 per adult and £29.00 per child (1-15 yrs) and non-participating child under 1 year – £10.00 plus £0.50 booking fee.
Location: Mead Open Farm, Stanbridge Road, Billington, Bedfordshire, LU7 9JH.
Willows Farm
Dates: 19th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adults (and children under 2) £23.00 – £29.00, Children 2+ £45.00 – £51.00 (non member prices).
Location: Willows Activity Farm, Coursers Road, London Colney, Hertfordshire, AL4 0PF.
Wroxham Barns
The Santa Experience – see also other Christmas events in Norfolk.
Dates: Weekends in December and 19th to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adults from £20.95, Children from £27.95 & Under 2 from £16.95.
Location: Wroxham Barns, Tunstead Road, Hoveton, Norfolk, NR12 8QU.
Willows Farm Santa Spectacular
Folly Farm
Meet Santa and his Reindeers
Dates: Select dates from 12th November to 18th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Normal entry price applies PLUS £8.50 to meet Santa.
Location: Folly Farm, Begelly, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, Wales, SA68 0XA.
Reindeer Centre Bethersden
Christmas Grotto
Dates: Weekends from 12th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adults – from £12.000 and children £18.00.
Location: Capralama Farm, Pluckley Road, Bethersden, TN26 3EQ.
Bethersden Reindeer Centre Christmas Grotto
Winter Wonderlands and Light Shows
Thursford Magical Journey
Dates: Santa’s Magical Journey – weekends from 26th November to 11th December and then 17th to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £20.00 per child. Adult – from £14.00.
Location: Thursford Collection, Thursford, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 0AS.
See also Enchanted Journey of Light dates 19th November to 28th December 2022 – one of the many Christmas light trails in the UK and Christmas Spectacular from 8th November to 23rd December 2022.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (also home to the largest outdoor ice rink in London). If you’re in London, make sure to check out the London Christmas lights. London is one of the best cities in the UK to visit at Christmas with kids.
Dates: 18th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
Ticket Price: From £5.00 per person (which is refunded if you book over £25.00 worth of activities).
Location: Hyde Park, London.
Kew Gardens
Dates: 16th November to 8th January 2023.
Ticket Price: Adults from £21.50, Children (4-16) from £14.00, Family of 4 – £65.00 and Under 4 Free.
Location: Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE.
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace Illuminated Light Trail
Dates: 18th November to 2nd January 2023.
Ticket Price: Adults from £35.00 (with parking), Children (3-16) from £18.00. Under 2 Free.
Location: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1PP.
Light Trail at Blenheim Palace
Kielder Water & Forest Park
Dates: Select dates from 19th November to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £29.50 per person. Under 2 – £5.00.
Location: Kielder Water & Forest Park, Hexham, NE48 1BT.
Chester Zoo
Dates: 11th November to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adults from £15.00, Children from £12.00 (under 2 free).
Location: Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester, CH2 1EU.
The Lanterns Chester Zoo
The Snow Centre
Santa’s Grotto at the Snow Centre
Dates: 24th, 26th December and 31st December and 1st January 2023.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: The Snow Centre, St Albans Hill, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 9NH.
Tamworth Snowdome
Winter Wonderland
Dates: 12th November 2022 to 1st January 2023.
Ticket Price: From £15.95 per person
Location: SnowDome, Leisure Island, River Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7ND.
The Snow Factor
Dine with Santa
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: £29.00 per child including a meal with Santa, a story, a gift and 30 minutes of sledging.
Location: The Snow Factor, King’s Inch Road, Glasgow, Renfrew, G51 4BP.
Lotherton Hall
The Christmas Experience
Dates: 26th November to 31st December 2022.
Ticket Price: Tickets on sale from 9th September 2021.
Location: Lotherton Hall, Off Collier Lane, Aberford, Leeds, LS25 3EB.
The Ice Village
Santa’s Grotto
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: NA
Location: Cathedral Gardens, Corporation Street, Manchester, M4 3BG.
The Ice Village Manchester
Santa Sleepovers (Theme Parks and Holiday Villages)
In case you don’t find anything you like here, we have more ideas on Family Christmas Breaks in the UK. We also have a guide to the Merlin attractions at Christmas.
The main parks offering Santa sleepovers and short breaks are:
Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures Father Christmas Sleepover
Dates: Weekends from 25th November to 18th December and then 19th to 23rd December 2022 for Father Christmas Sleepover at Chessington.
Ticket Price: From £281 for a family of 4 to stay overnight with 2 days entry to Park (on selected dates) staying in a themed hotel.
Location: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE.
Check current prices and availability here.
Photo Credit: Chessington World of Adventures
Alton Towers Resort
Alton Towers Resort Santa Sleepover
Dates: Weekends from 25th November to 18th December and then 19th to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £290 per family of 4 to stay overnight with one day in the park staying in a themed hotel.
Location: Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB.
Check current prices and availability here.
The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Santa Sleepover
Dates: Weekends from 25th November to 18th December and then 19th to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £469 for family of 4 to stay overnight with 1 day in the park staying in a LEGO® themed room. Make your Santa Sleepover even more special, with a special trip to see Santa in his grotto from £20 per child.
Location: The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY.
Check current prices and availability here.
©2021 The LEGO Group.
Photo Credit: The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle Santa Sleepover
Dates: Weekends from 25th November to 18th December and then 19th to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £499 for family of 4 to stay overnight with 2 days in the castle staying in the Knight’s Village.
Location: Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 6AH.
Check current prices and availability here.
Bluestone
Bluestone Christmasland breaks (see also our top cheaper alternatives to Center Parcs).
Dates: 7th November 2022 to 1st January 2023.
Ticket Price: From £579 for 4 people in a lodge for 3 nights.
Location: Bluestone Resort, Canaston Wood, The Grange, Narberth, SA67 8DE.
Check current prices and availability here.
Ribby Hall Village
Dates: From 11th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
Ticket Price: From £489 for 4 people in a lodge for 3 nights.
Location: Ribby Hall Village, Ribby Road, Wrea Green, Lancashire, PR4 2PR.
Check current prices and availability here.
Center Parcs
Center Parcs Winter Wonderland holidays
Dates: 7th November 2022 to 2nd January 2023.
Ticket Price: From £579 for 4 people in a lodge for 3 nights.
Location: Center Parcs at Christmas is at all of their locations.
Check current prices and availability here.
Winter Wonderland at Center Parcs
Christmas at Theme Parks
Gulliver’s Land
Gulliver’s at Christmas
Dates: Weekends from 3rd December to 18th December and then 21st, 22nd and 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £27.00 per person (Under 90cm £9.00).
Location: Warrington, Milton Keynes, Rotherham, Matlock Bath.
Chessington World of Adventures
1 Day Winter’s Tail
Dates: 26th November to 3rd January 2023 (meet Father Christmas available until 24th December 2022).
Ticket Price: From £20.00 per person. Check here for discounted tickets.
Location: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE.
Drayton Manor
Drayton’s Magical Christmas
Dates: 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adult (4+) £36.00, Child (2-3) £22.00 and Under 2 – £5.00.
Location: Drayton Manor Park, Near Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TW.
Paultons Park
Christmas at Paultons (Santa’s Grotto is closed but Santa will appear on stage).
Dates: Select dates from 3rd to to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: Children 1m and over – £35.00, Family of 4 – £140.00.
Location: Paultons Park, Ower, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 6AL.
Alton Towers
Alton Towers Resort at Christmas
Dates: From 25th November to 2nd January 2023.
Ticket Price: From £16.00 per person. Buy Alton Towers tickets here.
Location: Alton Towers Resort, Farley Lane, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 4DB.
The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort at Christmas
Dates: From 26th November to 3rd January 2023.
Ticket Price: From £32.00 per person. Check here for discounted tickets.
Location: The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY.
Santa Train Rides
There are so many Santa Train Rides in the UK. Here is a small selection of them. We have more information in these posts – 40+ Seriously Festive Santa Train Rides and A Handy Guide to the 11 Polar Express Train Rides in the UK.
Heading to the US? We have a guide on where to find a US Polar Express train ride.
If you’re going to take a Polar Express train ride, how about brushing up on the movie or reading the book before you go?
*These are affiliate links. If you buy something from them, we may earn a small commission, but this is at no extra cost to you. Thank You!*
Polar Express Movie – on Amazon.
Polar Express Book – on Amazon.
Wensleydale Railway
Polar Express
Dates: 18th November to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £29.95 to £36.95 per person.
Location: Wensleydale Railway, Leeming Bar Station, Leases Road, Leeming Bar, Northallerton, DL7 9AR.
Mid Norfolk Railway
Polar Express
Dates: 13th November to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £27.50 for standard and £41.95 for premium.
Location: The Railway Station, Station Road, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1DF.
South Devon Railway
Polar Express
Dates: 18th November to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £29.95 to £39.95 per person.
Location: South Devon Railway, The Station, Dartbridge Road, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0DZ.
Bure Valley Railway
Festive Express
Dates: Select dates from 3rd to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: £13.00 per person.
Location: Bure Valley Railway, Aylsham Station, Norwich Road, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6BW.
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Santa Specials
Dates: Select dates from 3rd to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: £16.75 for adults, £13.75 for children 5-17 and £10.75 for children under 5.
Location: The Railway Station, Main Road, Havenstreet, Ryde, PO33 4DS.
Great Central Railway
Santa Steam Trains
Dates: 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: £69.00 – £89.00 for a compartment for 4 people or £75.00-£95.00 for a compartment for 6 people.
Location: Quorn and Woodhouse Station, Woodhouse Road, Quorn, LE12 8AG.
Churnet Valley Railway
Santa Steam Trains
Dates: Churnet Valley is now running the Polar Express – see above section for details.
Ticket Price: N/A
Location: Churnet Valley Railway, Kingsley & Froghall Station, Froghall, Staffordshire, ST10 2HA.
Avon Valley Railway
Avon Valley Railway Santa Special
Address: Avon Valley Railway, Bitton Station, Bath Road, Bitton, Bristol, BS30 6HD
Dates: 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Tickets: From £13.00 – £20.00 per person. Under 1 – FREE.
See also the best Christmas events in Bath.
North York Moors Railway
Santa Reimagined
Dates: Select dates from 3rd December to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: £100.00 for a compartment for 4 people (+£25.00 per additional adult up to 6 people max).
Location: Pickering Station, Pickering, YO18 7AJ.
Kent & East Sussex Railway
Santa Specials
Dates: Select dates from 3rd December to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Standard table of 4 from £90.00, First class from £120.00 for up to 4. Private compartment for up to 6 – from £180.
Location: Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6HE.
See here for more Christmas events in Kent.
Peak Rail
Santa and Steam Specials
Dates: Select dates from 3rd December to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: Table for 4 – £65.00, Compartment for up to 6 – £95.00.
Location: Matlock Station, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3NA.
Llangollen Railway
Santa Specials
Dates: Select dates from 3rd December to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: £20.00 per person or £80.00 for a compartment of 4.
Location: The Station, Abbey Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8SN.
Audley End Miniature Railway
Audley End Christmas Special
Dates: 19th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £22.00 over 92cm and £11.00 under 92cm. Under 1 – FREE.
Location: Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Waldon, Essex CB11 4JB.
Audley End Christmas Special
Seaton Tramway
Polar Express
Dates: Selec dates from 25th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £19.95 per person (under 2 free).
Location: Seaton Tramway, Harbour Road, Seaton, Devon, EX12 2NQ.
Stuart Line Cruises (this is a boat trip, not a train ride)
Dates: Weekends in December and 21st & 22nd December 2022.
Ticket Price: £12.00 per person (under 12 months – £4.00).
Location: Sailings from Exmouth, Exeter, Topsham and Sidmouth.
Steam Trains Ireland
Dates: 3rd, 10th, 17th & 18th December 2022.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: Whitehead Excursion Station, Castleview Road, Whitehead, Carrickfergus, BT38 9NA
Bodmin and Wenford Railway
Santa by Steam
Dates: Weekends in December and then 19th to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £19.95 per person.
Location: General Station, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 1AQ.
Bodmin and Wenford Railway Santa by Steam
Department Store and Shopping Centre Santa’s Grottos
Harrods
Harrods Christmas Grotto (only open to customers who spend over £2000 in Harrods).
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: N/A
Location: 87 – 135 Brompton Road, London, SW1X 7XL.
Selfridges
Selfridges Breakfast with Santa
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: Various – see website.
Location: London Birmingham Manchester
Hamleys
Hamleys Santa’s Grotto Workshop
Dates: 12th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: London (£39.99) – Glasgow (£20.00) – Lakeside (£20.00).
Location: Addresses for individual stores can be found here.
Magic Alley Stratford
Christmas at Magic Alley
Dates: 27th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: £14.00 per adult. Babies – £5.00.
Location: 1st Floor, Bell Court Shopping Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6EX.
The Olde Watermill
Santa’s Grotto
Dates: Select dates from 20th Novembwer to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adult – £4.99, Child – £14.99.
Location: The Olde Watermill Shopping Village, BartonMill Lane, Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire, MK45 4RF.
Bluewater
Christmas at Bluewater
Dates: 25th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adult – from £5.00, Child – from £12.50 (plus booking fee).
Location: Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe, Kent, DA9 9ST.
Lakeside
Christmas Wonderland
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: See site for details.
Location: The Quay, Lakeside Shopping Centre, Grays, Essex, RM20 2AD.
Hamleys Santas Grotto Workshop
Santa’s Grottos at Castles and other tourist attractions
Castles are some of the most visited tourist attractions in the UK and are a fantastic setting for Christmas events. Here are some of the best castles in the UK with Christmas events.
Some of these castles are run by English Heritage. We highly recommend an English Heritage membership. Just a couple of visits to English Heritage properties during the year will cover the cost of your pass.
Hever Castle
Santa at Hever Castle – one of the most impressive castles in Kent
Dates: Selected dates from 19th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adults – £20.00, Children (5-17) £26.00, Children Under 5 – £14.00.
Location: Hever Castle, Hever Road, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NG.
Belvoir Castle
Santa’s Grotto at Belvoir Castle
Dates: 18th November to 23rd December 2022.
Ticket Price: £15.00 per child. This does not include entrance price to the castle.
Location: Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 1PE.
Gwrych Castle
Christmas Grotto at Gwrych Castle
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: N/A.
Location: Gwrych Castle, Abergele, Conwy, LL22 8ET.
Warwick Castle
Christmas at the Castle (loads going on including ice skating, a light trail and a Christmas market)
Dates: 26th November to 2nd January 2023.
Ticket Price: Tickets from £14.00. Buy tickets here.
Location: Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 6AH.
Leeds Castle
Father Christmas at Leeds Castle (one of the best castles in Kent). See more here for the best things to do in Kent.
Dates: 25th November to 1st January 2022.
Ticket Price: Adults – £28.00, Child (4-15) – £19.50, Under 4 – FREE.
Location: Leeds Castle, Leeds, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 1PD.
Leeds Castle
Bolsover Castle
Dates: Weekends from 26th November to 18th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adult – £8.00, Child (5-17) – £8.00 (on top of usual entrance fee),
Location: Bolsover Castle, Castle Street, Bolsover, Chesterfield, S44 6PR.
Castle Howard
An Audience with Father Christmas
Dates: Select dates from 1st to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: from £47.00 per child (accompanying adults from £20.00 before 3pm must book Gardens ticket, after 3pm must book Light Trail ticket).
Location: Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA.
Oxford Castle and Prison
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: £17.95 per child, £15.95 per adult, Under 2 – £6.95.
Location: Oxford Castle and Prison, 44-46 Oxford Castle, Oxford, OX1 1AY.
Kenilworth Castle
Dates: Weekends from 26th November to 18th December 2022.
Ticket Price: Adult – £8.00, Child (5-17) – £8.00 (on top of usual entrance fee).
Location: Kenilworth Castle, castle Green, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1NG.
Bodium Castle
Father Christmas at Bodium Castle
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: Bodium Castle, Bodium, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5UA.
Santa at Hever Castle
Dover Castle
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: Adult – £17.00, Child (5-17) – £10.20.
Location: Dover Castle, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HU.
Whitstable Castle
Santa’s Magical Grotto
Dates: 3rd to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: £6.50 per child.
Location: Whistable Castle, 15 Tower Hill, Whistable, Kent, CT5 2BW.
National Trust Santa’s Grottos
If you like visiting National Trust properties, we highly recommend getting a National Trust membership. Just a couple of visits will cover the price of your pass and you will be able to get into a lot of these seasonal events for free.
Meet Father Christmas in the East
Meet Father Christmas in the Midlands
Meet Father Christmas in Northern Ireland
Meet Father Christmas in the South East
Meet Father Christmas in the South West
Meet Father Christmas in Wales
Places to see Santa in London
There are lots of Santa’s Grottos in London this year – including the infamous Harrods Santa Grotto (but this is almost impossible to get into!). We have already mentioned a few above such as Hamleys and London Zoo – but here are a few more London Santa’s Grottos:
Alexandra Palace
Santa’s Grotto at Alexandra Palace
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: £14.50 per child.
Location: Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY.
Shrek’s Adventures
Santa’s Grotto at Shrek’s Adventures
Dates: Weekends in December and then 17th to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £24.00 per person.
Location: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB.
Broadgate Circle
Dates: TBC..
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: Exchange House, 12 Exchange Square, London, EC2A 2BQ.
Fortnum & Mason
Storytelling with Father Christmas
Dates: Tickets have now sold out.
Ticket Price: N/A.
Location: Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London, W1A 1ER13.
See here for more places to see Santa in London this year.
If you’re visiting London and looking for family-friendly hotels, make sure to check out our top London hotel recommendations. See also – the most magical things to do in London at Christmas with kids.
Luxury
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences – Located in Mayfair, this is a 5 star luxury aparthotel with a difference. We find it so useful when staying in hotels in with kids to have a kitchen. They also have a kids’ concierge service where they arrange your kid’s favourite DVDs and treats for the room. Guest can use all of the hotel facilities and they have a pool.
See also:
The Ritz – Located on Piccadilly near Hyde Park Corner. One of the most well-known hotels in London. The Ritz being the Ritz, they have a Very Important Kids programme providing anything a child could want in their hotel room. Children under 15 stay for free with their parents in a Junior Suite or above.
The Rubens at the Palace – Located near Buckingham Palace. This boutique hotel has their own Director of Fun and Adventure to organise activities for kids. Children under 12 stay and eat for free and there’s a 6pm check out on Sundays.
St Ermin’s – Located near St James’s Park. They offer a kids concierge to take care of the kids needs with fun and games inside of the hotel as well as outside. They even have their own bee hotel within the hotel. There are 2 new rooms that cater for families of 6. They also do a fabulous afternoon tea for kids.
Mid-Range
Park Plaza County Hall – Located near the London Eye, this is an excellent, centrally located mid-range family hotel in London. If booking the Family Getaway Package, they offer goody bags for kids at check-in and ‘Park Plaza money’ to spend in the Spectrum Bar and complimentary breakfast for children up to 12 years old. There are also interconnecting rooms for larger families.
Budget
Premier Inn Waterloo – Located by Westminster Bridge near the London Eye. Family hotels in London can be eye-wateringly expensive but the Premier Inn is a great, no-frills budget family hotel in London option if you are looking for a central location.
Other places to see Santa
Missed out on booking a visit to Santa’s Grotto? Here are a few more ideas for seeing the big man.
Royal Albert Hall – Storytime with Father Christmas – 2nd to 20th December 2022.
The Coca Cola Truck (Photo Credit www.thedrum.com)
Seeing Santa virtually
If all else fails and a visit to see Santa in person is not possible, here are a couple of ideas to help keep the magic alive..
What a great resource!! I love the one with the live reindeer!! So coo!!
I know! That one looks super cool. My kids would love it!
Wow, what an incredible resource! You’re making me want to head to the UK for Christmas!
Great! We’ve also got loads of Christmas markets that are getting bigger each year in some beautiful historic locations. The UK is really lovely at Christmas.
Wow – this is a really thorough post. It’s making me miss Christmas :) I never knew there were so many options for Santa in the UK – we may need to consider spending our winter holidays there sometime soon.
I don’t think I even scratched the surface! It’s become so huge in the UK. We just need the snow now… :)
Hi, is this information still accurate in view of the latest Covid restrictions? Are these still happening?
Hi, most of them are still running. I am trying to update as and when I hear of changes. Each link takes you to the website for the grotto / experience and they will also update. In terms of government guidelines and restrictions as to who can visit based on Tiers, that is something that each individual must determine themselves.
Is there anything in Scotland?
There are a few Dobbies garden centres around Scotland and it looks like they’re still running – although suject to local restrictions. A lot of places were already cancelled and didn’t make it on here.