100+ Santa’s Grottos and Santa Experiences in the UK 2020

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.

The kids are now 6 and 7 and we thought it was the perfect time to take them to Lapland to visit Father Christmas and ensure their belief in the magic of Christmas remains for a little while longer. But then like many this year, we’ve had to rethink our Santa Grotto 2020 plans.

Having done all this research on the best Santa experiences in the UK in 2020, 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 2020’ 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.

(In case it’s still a little too early to mention Christmas, we also have a bumper post on 70+ Halloween Events across the UK and posts on Pumpkin Picking Near London and Pumpkin Picking in East Anglia!)

**Tickets for certain Christmas events can sell out quickly. If the event is going ahead (we aim to update on cancellations on a regular basis) the available tickets will be more limited to adhere to social distancing rules. Most places will require an online booking in advance. Keep an eye on the cancellation policies for the event you are booking**

UPDATED 12TH OCTOBER 2020

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. Tickets are already very limited and the 2020 early release tickets have sold out. To be notified of the next release date, you can sign up here.

Dates: 15th November to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: From £69 to £135 per person
Location: Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8BD

Lapland UK

Gardens and Garden Centre Santa’s Grottos 2020

Marsh Farm

The Father Christmas Experience at Marsh Farm
Dates: 14th November to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: From £30.00 – £57.50 for a child and £18.95 – £27.00 for an adult (check here for more prices)
Location: Marsh Farm, Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5WP

Frosts Garden Centres

Santa’s Grotto at Frosts
Dates: 21st November to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: From £14.99 for a child (1yr+) and £4.99 for an adult
Location: Woburn Sands    Millets Farm    Willington

Oaktree Garden Centre

Oaktree’s Christmas Experience
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: From £10.00 (prices TBC)
Location: Oaktree Nursery & Garden Centre, Brockhill, Bracknell Road, Warfield, Berkshire, RG42 6LH

Burston Garden Centre

Santa’s Grotto at Burston Garden Centre
Dates: 28th November to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: £10.00 per child (£1 per accompanying adult)
Location: Burston Garden Centre, North Orbital Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 2DS

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: CANCELLED
Ticket Price: N/A
Location: Pugh’s Garden Village, Ty-Nant Road, Morganstown, Cardiff, CF15 8LB

Glendoick Garden Centre

Visit Santa

Dates: 28th November to 20th December 2020
Ticket Price: £6.00 (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: CANCELLED
Ticket Price: To Be Confirmed (check here for more prices)
Location: Springtime Nurseries, Cattlegate Road, Crews Hill, Middlesex, EN2 9EE

Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Santas Grotto
Dates: 22nd November to 24th Decemer 2020
Ticket Price: £11.99 per child
Location: There are 44 centres across the country to choose from

Eden Project

Meet Father Christmas at Eden
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG

Dobbies Garden Centre

Farm Parks and Zoos

ZSL London Zoo

Meet Santa
Dates: Weekends from 5th November and then daily from 19th to to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY

Easton Farm Park

Christmas on the Farm

Dates: Weekends from 28th November to 20th December and then 21st to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: Adult – £10.00, Child – £15.00
Location: Easton Farm Park, Pound Corner, Easton, Suffolk, IP13 0EQ

Africa Alive

Christmas at Africa Alive
Dates: 5th to 6th December 2020
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Africa Alive, Whites Lane, Kessingland, Suffolk, NR33 7TF

West Midland Safari & Leisure Park

Santa Safari
Dates: 21st November to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: Adult – £|29.50, Child (3-16) – £27.50 and Under 3 – £12.00
Location: West Midland Safari & Leisure Park, Spring Grove Road, Bewdley, Kidderminster, DY12 1LF

Marwell Zoo

Christmas at Marwell
Dates: CANCELLED
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Marwell Wildlife, Thompsons Lane, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1JH

Colchester Zoo

Christmas at Colchester Zoo
Dates: 19th November to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Colchester Zoo, Maldon Road, Heckfordbridge, Colchester, CO3 0SL

Banham Zoo

Christmas at Banham Zoo
Dates: 12th and 13th December 2020
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Banham Zoo, Kenninghall Road, Banham, Norfolk, NR16 2HE

Bristol Zoo Gardens

Santa’s Grotto at Bristol Zoo Gardens
Dates: 30th November to 23rd December 2020
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Bristol Zoo Gardens, College Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA

4 Kingdoms Adventure Park

Christmas Experience
Dates: 14th November to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: Adults from £15.00 to £25.00, Children from £27.50 to £45.00 (plus |£2.50 booking fee)
Location: Newbury Road, Headley, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 8JY

Paradise Wildlife Park

Paradise Wildlife Park
Dates: 23rd, 24th, 30th November, Fri/Sat & Sun from 1st – 14th December and daily from 15th – 24th December
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Paradise Wildlife Park, White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, EN10 7QA

Drusillas Park

Christmas at Drusillas Park
Dates: 21st November t0 23rd December 2020
Ticket Price: TBC (Ticket go on sale in October)
Location: Drusillas Park, Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5QS

Mead Open Farm

Enchanted Christmas Journey
Dates: 5th to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: From £135 to £156 for a group of 6 (includes access to the farm)
Location: Mead Open Farm, Stanbridge Road, Billington, Bedfordshire, LU7 9JH

Willows Farm

Santa Spectacular

Dates: 23rd November to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: Adults £20.00, Children 2+ £37.00 – £44.00, Children under 2 £21.50 – £22.50
Location: Willows Activity Farm, Coursers Road, London Colney, Hertfordshire, AL4 0PF

Wroxham Barns

The Santa Experience
Dates: Weekends from 5th December and then 21st to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: Adults £13.50, Children £17.95 & Under 2 £10.50
Location: Wroxham Barns, Tunstead Road, Hoveton, Norfolk, NR12 8QU

Willows Farm Santa Spectacular

Folly’s Farm

Meet Santa and his Reindeers
Dates: Every weekend from 7th November to 20th December 2020
Ticket Price: Adult £16.95, Children (3-15) £14.95, Toddler (2) £10.95 PLUS £8.50 to meet Santa
Location: Folly Farm, Begelly, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, Wales, SA68 0XA

Reindeer Centre Bethersden

Christmas Grotto
Dates: From 14th November (TBC)
Ticket Price: From £9-16 per adult and £12 – £21 per child
Location: Capralama Farm, Pluckley Road, Bethersden, TN26 3EQ

Caingorm Reindeer Centre

Christmas Fun
Dates: CANCELLED FOR 2020
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Reindeer House, Glenmore, Aviemore, PH22 1QU

Bethersden Reindeer Centre Christmas Grotto

Winter Wonderlands and Light Shows

Thursford Magical Journey

Thursford Magical Journey

Dates: Cancelled for 2020 but see the Enchanted Journey of Light instead from 19th November to 3rd January 2021 – one of the many Christmas light trails in the UK.
Ticket Price: £15.00 per person (under 3 free)
Location: Thursford Collection, Thursford, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 0AS

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (also home to the largest outdoor ice rink in London)

Dates: CANCELLED
Ticket Price: Free
Location: Hyde Park, London

Kew Gardens

Christmas at Kew

Dates: 18th November to 3rd January 2021
Ticket Price: Adults from £19.50, Children (4-16) from £12.00, Under 4 Free
Location: Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE

Blenheim Palace

Illuminated Light Trail

Dates: 20th November to 3rd January 2021
Ticket Price: Adults from £19.00, Children (3-16) from £13.00 (Under 2 Free)
Location: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1PP

Kielder Water & Forest Park

Kielder Winter Wonderland

Dates: CANCELLED
Ticket Price: N/A
Location: Kielder Water & Forest Park, Hexham, NE48 1BT

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo’s Christmas Nights

Dates: 20th November to 3rd January 2021
Ticket Price: Adults from £18.00, Children from £12.00
Location: Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Costorphine Road, Costorphine, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS

Chester Zoo

The Lanterns

Dates: 13th November to 23rd December 2020
Ticket Price: Adults from £16.00, Children from £13.50 (under 2 free)
Location: Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester, CH2 1EU

The Snow Centre

Santa’s Grotto at the Snow Centre
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: The Snow Centre, St Albans hill, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 9NH

Tamworth Snowdome

Winter Wonderland
Dates: 14th November to 31st December 2020
Ticket Price: From £31.90 to £41.90 per person
Location: SnowDome, Leisure Island, River Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7ND

The Snow Factor

Santa and the Snow
Dates: 14th November to 31st December 2020
Ticket Price: Adult £9.95, Children (3-16) £19.95 (Under 3 £9.95)
Location: The Snow Factor, King’s Inch Road, Glasgow, Renfrew, G51 4BP

Lotherton Hall

The Christmas Experience
Dates: 27th November to 3rd January 2021
Ticket Price: From £12.95 per child
Location: Lotherton Hall, Off Collier Lane, Aberford, Leeds, LS25 3EB

The Ice Village

Santa’s Grotto
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: From £7.50 per child (12 and under)
Location: Cathedral Gardens, Corporation Street, Manchester, M4 3BG

The Ice Village Manchester

Santa Sleepovers (Theme Parks and Holiday Villages)

We have more ideas on Family Christmas Breaks in the UK but the main parks offering sleepovers and short breaks are:

Chessington World of Adventures

Father Christmas Sleepover
Dates: 21st November to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: From £49.25 per person
Location: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE

Alton Towers

Alton Towers Santa Sleepover
Dates: 27th – 29th November, 4th – 6th December and 11th – 23rd December 2020
Ticket Price: From £290 per family
Location: Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB

Santa’s Sleepover at Alton Towers

Legoland

LEGOLAND Santa Sleepover

Dates: 27th November to 23rd December 2020
Ticket Price: From £469 for family of 4 (1 Night/2Day)
Location: Legoland Windsor, Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY

Bluestone

Bluestone Christmasland breaks

Dates: 2nd November to 3rd January 2021
Ticket Price: From £579 for 4 people in a lodge for 3 nights
Location: Bluestone Resort, Canaston Wood, The Grange, Narberth, SA67 8DE

Ribby Hall Village

Winter Wonderland

Dates: 13th November to 3rd January 2021
Ticket Price: From £489 for 4 people in a lodge for 3 nights
Location: Ribby Hall Village, Ribby Road, Wrea Green, Lancashire, PR4 2PR

Center Parcs

Center Parcs Winter Wonderland holidays

Dates: 9th November to 2nd January 2021
Ticket Price: From £579 for 4 people in a lodge for 3 nights
Location: Center Parcs at Christmas is at all of their locations

Winter Wonderland at Center Parcs

Christmas at Theme Parks

Gulliver’s Land

Gulliver’s at Christmas
Dates: Weekends from 5th December and 21st to 23rd December 2020
Ticket Price: From £19.00 per person (Under 90cm £5.00)
Location: Warrington, Milton Keynes, Rotherham, Matlock Bath

Drayton Manor

Drayton’s Magical Christmas
Dates: 20th November to 31st December 2020
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Drayton Manor Park, Near Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TW

Paultons Park

Christmas at Paultons
Dates: 21st November to 23rd December 2020
Ticket Price: Children 1m and over £35.75, Family of 4 £139
Location: Ower, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 6AL

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 –  35 Seriously Festive Santa Train Rides and A Handy Guide to the 6 Polar Express Train Rides in the UK.

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!*

Wensleydale Railway

Polar Express
Dates: 21st November to 22nd December 2020
Ticket Price: From £24.95 to £34.95 per person
Location: Wensleydale Railway, Leeming Bar Station, Leases Road, Leeming Bar, Northallerton, DL7 9AR

Mid Norfolk Railway

Polar Express
Dates: Cancelled for 2020
Ticket Price: N/A
Location: The Railway Station, Station Road, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1DF

South Devon Railway

Polar Express
Dates: 27th – 29th November, 4th – 6th December, 11th – 13th December and 16th – 23rd December 2020
Ticket Price: From £24.95 to £31.95 per person
Location: South Devon Railway, The Station, Dartbridge Road, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0DZ

Bure Valley Railway

Festive Express
Dates: 5th to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: £12.00 per person
Location: Bure Valley Railway, Aylsham Station, Norwich Road, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6BW

Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Santa Specials
Dates: Every weekend from 5th December and 22nd – 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: £16.75 for adults, £12.75 for children 5+ and £10.75 for children under 5
Location: The Railway Station, Main Road, Havenstreet, Ryde, PO33 4DS

Great Central Railway

Santa Steam Trains
Dates: 28th November – 24th December 2020
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: 21st November to 6th December, 9th to 16th December, 19th  – 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: From £17.00 for adults, From £12.00 for children 2-15 and £7.00 for children under 2
Location: Churnet Valley Railway, Kingsley & Froghall Station, Froghall, Staffordshire, ST10 2HA

North York Moors Railway

Santa Reimagined
Dates: Every weekend from 5th December and 22nd – 24th December 2020
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: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6HE

Peak Rail

Santa and Steam Specials
Dates: Every weekend from 5th December and then 23rd & 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: £14.00 for adults / £11.00 for children (16 months to 15 yrs) / £7.00 for under 16 months
Location: Matlock Station, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3NA

Llangollen Railway

Santa Specials
Dates: 5th – 24th December 2020
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: 21st November to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: From £18.00-£20.00 over 92cm and £9.00-£10.00 under 92cm
Location: Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Waldon, Essex CB11 4JB

Audley End Christmas Special

Seaton Tramway

Polar Express
Dates: 27th November – 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: From £19.95 – |£32.95 per person (under 2 free)
Location: Seaton Tramway, Harbour Road, Seaton, Devon, EX12 2NQ

Steam Trains Ireland

Santa Train

Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Whitehead Excursion Station, Castleview Road, Whitehead, Carrickfergus, BT38 9NA

Bodmin and Wenford Railway

Santa by Steam
Dates: Every Saturday from 5th – 19th December and then every day from 21st – 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: £17.50 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
Dates: Cancelled for 2020
Ticket Price: N/A
Location: 87 – 135 Brompton Road, London, SW1X 7XL

Selfridges

Selfridges Breakfast with Santa
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: £25 for adults, £20 for kids
Location: London    Birmingham    Manchester

Hamleys

Hamleys Santa’s Grotto Workshop
Dates: 23rd November to 24th December 2020
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: 21st November to 24th December 2020
Ticket Price: £13.00 per person (free for under 1’s)
Location: 1st Floor, Bell Court Shopping Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6EX

The Olde Watermill

Santa’s Grotto
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: The Olde Watermill Shopping Village, BartonMill Lane, Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire, MK45 4RF

Bluewater

Christmas at Bluewater
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Location:  Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe, Kent, DA9 9ST

Hamleys Santas Grotto Workshop

Santa’s Grottos at Castles

Hever Castle

Santa at Hever Castle
Dates: 21st November – 8th December (Wed-Sun), 9th – 24th December 2020 (daily)
Ticket Price: Adults – £16.00, Children (5-17) £22.00, Children Under 5 – £12.00
Location: Hever Castle, Hever Road, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NG

Belvoir Castle

Santa’s Grotto at Belvoir Castle

Dates: 21st November – 8th December (Wed-Sun), 9th – 24th December 2020 (daily)
Ticket Price: £7.00 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: CANCELLED FOR 2020
Ticket Price: N/A
Location: Gwrych Castle, Abergele, Conwy, LL22 8ET

Warwick Castle

Christmas at the Castle

Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 6AH

Leeds Castle

Father Christmas at Leeds Castle

Dates: CANCELLED FOR 2020
Ticket Price: N/A
Location: Leeds Castle, Leeds, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 1PD

Bolsover Castle

Christmas at the Castle

Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Bolsover Castle, Castsle Street, Bolsover, Chesterfield, S44 6PR

Castle Howard

An Enchanted Audience with Father Christmas

Dates: 28th November to 23rd December 2020
Ticket Price: £48.00 per child (accompanying adults before 3pm must book Gardens ticket, after 3pm must book Light Trail ticket)
Location: Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA

Kenilworth Castle

Christmas at the Castle

Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
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

Dover Castle

Christmas at the Castle

Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Dover Castle, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HU

Whitstable Castle

Santa’s Magical Grotto
Dates: TBC
Ticket Price: TBC
Location: Whistable Castle, 15 Tower Hill, Whistable, Kent, CT5 2BW

Santa at Hever Castle

National Trust Santa’s Grottos

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

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.

Coca Cola Truck

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..

Santa @ Home

PortableNorthPole App

CatchaCharacter