5 of the Best Places to see Father Christmas in England
If you’re taking the little ones to see Father Christmas this year (or maybe even the not-so-little ones!) then you may be looking at the best options across the country to see the bearded man in the red suit!
Well, we’ve done the hard work for you and have researched some of the most popular, exciting and innovative places in England where you can meet Santa in his grottos, up and down the country.
Hopefully this gives you some inspiration for where to go this festive season.
Magic Alley, Stratford upon Avon
The world famous Magic Alley in Warwickshire’s Stratford upon Avon proves there’s much more to this town than Shakespeare (though of course, having the world’s most famous playwright hail from your town isn’t exactly dull).
Not just for little kids!
Each child receives a specially commissioned bedtime story to be read together as a family on Christmas Eve, so booking is essential to ensure you get your hands on one of these beautiful keepsakes.
It is open from November the 22nd to December the 24th 2014, and tickets are just £6 for adults and £4 for students and concessions. Find more info and book your tickets here.
Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire
This option differs significantly from other grottos that you may be used to, as ‘Santa Jaws’ is braving shark-infested waters in Cheshire Oaks’s Blue Planet Aquarium to deliver presents to the team of divers who work in a 3.8million litre tank.
The aim is to prove to little ones that this ‘festive twist will prove there really isn’t anywhere Father Christmas can’t deliver presents’.
There isn’t anywhere Santa can’t deliver presents! Photo CC by Steve Jurvetson
See him here from November 30th to December 24th 2014 from £9.50. Why not combine the trip with a weekend away?
Lapland UK, Berkshire
Push the boat out this year with an experience meeting Santa that your little ones will never forget. The whole experience starts with your children receiving their very own posted invite to go and meet Santa and help him make toys at his home.
On the actual day, Santa’s elves lead the toy making, gingerbread house decorating, ice-skating and meeting the huskies. At the end, you finally meet the man himself in Santa’s log cabin, where he speaks to the children by their name.
Meet the snow huskies. Photo CC by Elizabeth Perkins
You can experience this from November 30th to December 24th 2014 from £45.
Santa’s Snow Grotto, Manchester
This is a grotto with a unique twist, as it is at Manchester’s Chill Factore, so it takes place on real snow!
Combine a day of winter sporty fun or tubing, sledging, skating or tobogganing with meeting Santa in one of the UK’s most authentic and exciting grotto experiences.
This option is open earlier than a lot of other grottos too, so the magic can start even earlier!
Visit the grotto from the 8th November to 24th December 2014, where prices start from £15 for a family of two.
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London
The whole family can visit Father Christmas at London’s Winter Wonderland for free at Hyde Park!
It’s free to enter the wonderland, where you will all be delighted by the Christmas stalls, fun rides, ice skating and even a circus (charges apply)…and of course, meeting Santa!
It runs from the 21st November 2014 to the 4th January 2015 which is great if you want the magical season to last that little bit longer.
Santa’s grotto is open from 10am until 6pm every day, except on Christmas day.
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4 Comments
Nice selection of options and are we really talking about Christmas this much already?
I guess it is a little bit of a shame that my wife does not live in Stratford anymore otherwise we could try out one of your recommendations.
It clearly has been a while for me, I’m out of touch with how much it costs to see Santa nowadays. I hope the presents are worth the price too.
As for your picture at the top Megan. I guess it is the sign of the times now that you can’t sit on his knee anymore. However you both are smiling so I’m sure you answered positively when he asked if you’d been a good girl this year.
They’ve started playing Christmas music EVERYWHERE over here in the States lol and Christmas tree’s have begun taking over grocery centers!
These are definitely some of the more unique Santa experiences – you should be able to see him for free across the country in your local department store. Though I agree that it is sad how commercial the holiday has become.
And definitely can’t sit on his knee anymore – pretty sure it would break :D!
All of these look like a bunch of fun! Plus it’s even more fun experiencing a holiday in a new place! Thanks for sharing!
It’s always interesting hearing about the new and creative ways you can meet Santa nowadays – experiences are becoming increasingly fun and unique!