Looking for places to visit Father Christmas this year?
Here’s our guide to the best Santa’s Grottos far and near!
Each location offers something a little different too,
You’re sure to find the perfect one for you!
🎄 Santa’s Grotto at Yorkshire Designer Outlet, York 🎄
The award-winning festive event is back at York Designer Outlet, so why not pay Father Christmas a visit in his magical log cabin grotto and tell him your Christmas wishes! The festive fun doesn’t stop here, grab the family and take to the ice rink, marvel at the massive 30ft Christmas tree and follow the path through the snowy enchanted woodland where fairy-tale creatures glow in the dark! Find out more here.
🎁 Santa’s Grotto at Housing Units, Failsworth 🎁
Make this Christmas a special one, and pay a visit to Santa’s Grotto at the home department store, Housing Units in Failsworth! Perfect for smaller children, this Santa’s Grotto is full of magical models and scenes that will enchant and delight the little ones before they get the chance to meet Father Christmas himself! Plus, each child will take home a little gift alongside a quality photograph in a mount to remember the experience too! Find out more here.
❄️ Santa Safari at West Midland Safari Park Worcestershire ❄️
Snow, an animated sleigh ride and a chance to meet Santa in his log cabin… what more could you ask for?! A magical festive day out for all the family is for sure guaranteed at Santa Safari located in West Midland Safari park! Find out more here.
🧙 Wild Christmas at Adventure Wonderland, Bournemouth 🧙
** Save up to 20% on tickets when you book with Picniq!**
Give your family a wicked start to Christmas with a trip to the multi-award-winning theme park in Dorset, Adventure Wonderland! The indoor adventure play has been given a Christmas makeover complete with Santa, his helpful elves and his faithful reindeer, Rudolph, who will be dropping into their cosy log cabin to meet the kids and give them a fantastic present. Plus, there is the unmissable live panto, The Wizard of Oz! Book here!
🍷 Set Sail with Santa at City Cruises Poole, Poole 🍷
Forget Santa’s sleigh and take a ride on his boat this Christmas! Cruise around Poole Harbour with Santa Claus for a 1 hour and 15-minute ride, where your children can watch a 30-minute magic show and meet Santa, whilst you sit back and sip a glass of mulled wine and eat mince pies! Plus, each child will receive a Christmas present directly from Santa. Find out more here.
⭐️ A tranquil Christmas at Buckland Abbey, Devon ⭐️
Deck the halls and see the lights twinkle at Buckland Abbey in Devon, and lots of other National Trust Places, this Christmas! The Medieval Great Barn has been decked out with a thousand willow wishing stars and at weekends hear choirs fill the barn with music! Little ones (and the young at heart) will even find Olde Father Christmas in the Great Hall dressed in traditional green. Find out more here. Or for information on Christmas Markets, opportunities to meet Father Christmas and winter walks taking place at National Trust places across the UK click here.
🚂 Polar Express, Norfolk 🚂
Are you and the family fans of the iconic Christmas movie the Polar Express? You will love the Polar Express experience on the Mid-Norfolk Railway, Telford Steam Railway or the Seaton Tramway! During the journey scenes from the film will come to life as dancing chefs and waiters arrive to serve cookies and hot chocolate before picking up Father Christmas who will be making his way through the train to present children with special gifts! So, what are you waiting for? Round the family together, and “all abooooard” for an exciting magical journey like no other to the North Pole! Find out more here.
🧸️ Tower Toymaker’s Workshops at Emirates Spinnaker Tower Portsmouth 🧸️
**Save 15% off + free photo when you book with Picniq!**
Breaking news…this Christmas, Santa Claus is setting up his toy-making workshop at Emirates Spinnaker Tower!! Exciting right?! Here, your little ones can join Santa’s elves in the Tower’s workshop as they make the finishing touches to their latest batch of cuddly toys before stuffing their own toy, placing a magic charm inside before carefully sealing up ready to take home! No trip to Santa’s workshop is complete without a visit to see Father Christmas in his grotto! *This is a special event and not included in general admission, but a separate workshop cost. Find out more here.
🎅 Santa’s Magical Wonderland, M&D’s Theme Park Scotland 🎅
Santa’s Magical Wonderland has returned for another incredible festive season at M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park! From an open-air ice rink to meeting Santa in Scotland’s largest grotto as well as stunning animated Christmas scenes, a magical experience is guaranteed for the whole family here. Find out more here.
🎢 Christmas Experience at New Lanark Visitor Centre, South Lanarkshire 🎢
Take the little ones to visit Santa in his grotto at New Lanark and receive a special Christmas gift! Plus, there will be lots of fun Christmas crafts and even the chance to ride the ‘Festive Spirit of Christmas’, which will take you all on a magical journey through Christmases past and present with your guide, Holly! Find out more here.
⛄️ Christmas at Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff ⛄️
Father Christmas is coming all the way from the North Pole to the National Trust’s Dyffryn house this December! Little ones will be able to meet him and even receive a gift too! Plus, why not make the most of your visit and explore the 12 Days of Christmas Trail in Dyffryn Gardens, it is great fun for all the family. Find out more here.
🍬 Santa’s Victorian Christmas at Cardiff Castle, Cardiff 🍬
Take a trip to Cardiff Castle this Christmas and enjoy an evening full of festive family fun! Embark on a candy cane trail through the castle to the Drawing Room, where Father Christmas himself awaits with gifts and yummy winter treats. Find out more here.
🎅 Santa’s Snowflake Grotto at Westfield London, Shepherds Bush 🎅
If you’re looking for a grotto with a twist, this is the one for you! The whole family will be transported to the Snow Factory in the North Pole! Here, kids will create their own personalised Christmas decoration among lots of other festive activities within the grotto. You will also meet Santa, receive a gift and have a photo taken with the big man himself before being magically transported back to London! Find out more here.
🎀 Santa’s Grotto Workshop at Hamleys – London, Manchester, Glasgow, Lakeside 🎀
Meet Father Christmas and his elves at one of the world’s most famous toy shops for a super special hour-long Christmas experience located in the party rooms in their store, which have been transformed into festive grotto’s! Little ones can take part in seasonal activities, spend time with Father Christmas and even receive an extra special gift bag to take home! Find out more here.
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