Derbyshire
Calke Abbey
Father Christmas is returning to his magical stable grotto this year and on some dates during December you could also enjoy breakfast with Father Christmas at an extra cost. Online booking is essential and tickets are on sale now.
Cost: £5.00 and includes a gift.
Poole’s Cavern, Castleton.
Santa will be returning to his favourite Grotto at Poole’s cavern each weekend in December, and Christmas eve too. Bring your Christmas wishes and all the family to visit the wonderfully illuminated grotto, meet the man himself and explore the spectacular cavern. Pre-booking is essential.
Cost: £6.50 per person… includes a present from Santa for the children, hot or cold drinks in their cafe for all and a visit to the most spectacular REAL GROTTO underground.
Conkers, Nr Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Wrap up warm and get ready for a silly Elf adventure as you arrive at Waterside Winter Wonderland, where Santa’s Chief Elf and his team will lead you through the Enchanted Forest and the Valley of Christmas lights to discover Santa’s Woodland Grotto. This is your chance to tell Santa that you have been good, and fingers crossed, he may share some pre-Chrismas presents!
During your visit you can take a trip on Head Elf’s Twinkle Toes Train through the tunnel of discovery, meet the Balloon Modeller (1:00pm – 5:00pm) and watch our Christmas shows & films. It’s sure to raise your Christmas spirits when you find the Snow Cave for Storytime or Activities!
Cost: Adults £11.95 and Children with presents £13.95. Discounted tickets for members.
Midland Railway, Butterley.
As the Festive Season is getting into full swing why not give the whole family an exciting treat by taking a trip on a Santa Special Train. The children get to see Santa, there’s a treat for the adults, entertainment for the whole family and all without queues. Car Parking is free too. Book now to ensure you get tickets.
Cost: Prices from £8.00
Bolsover Castle.
Join in the festive fun with the man himself at Bolsover Castle this Christmas. Meet Father Christmas as he tells tales of Christmas past amidst the yuletide decorations.
Cost: £5 per child which includes a small present. Pre-booking is essential. You will need to pay to enter the castle too unless you are an English Heritage member.
Bluebells Dairy, Brunswood Farm, Derby.
Bluebell’s Dairy have quite a few different events for children this Christmas. From the 1st to 24th of December you can enjoy Santa’s Woodland Experience, on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of December you could go to Santa’s Starlit Grotto or you could even enjoy Breakfast with Santa which takes place every weekend in December. Make sure you buy some of their delicious ice cream while you are there! It is amazing!
Cost: Prices vary depending on the event.
Nottinghamshire
Robin Hood’s Wheelgate.
Join Santa, Mrs Claus and their Elves for a breakfast feast at Wheelgate Parks’ Christmas Experience to add that extra special magic to your child’s Christmas. Join Santa and his elves for a yummy breakfast, heaps of fun and if you’ve been good all year a special gift to take home! PLUS exclusive entry to Robin Hoods Christmas Experience!
Cost: Children over 108 cm £31.99 and adults £22.99 which includes all day entry into the park.
Rufford Abbey.
Breakfast with Santa at the beautiful Rufford Abbey. Enjoy a yummy Coach House Breakfast Fry Up or Veggie Garden Grill served with toast. Also, Belgian Waffles with chocolate sauce for the children. A choice of apple Juice or Orange Juice for everyone and free tea or coffee top ups for the adults. Every child will receive a special present from Santa.
Cost: £11.50 per person
Trowell Garden Centre.
If you want to make it a quick visit to see Santa then why not pop along to see Santa in his Snow Cave at Trowell Garden Centre. We have been here a few times when the kids were little and they really enjoyed it.
Cost: £6.00 per child and includes a wrapped gift.
White Post Farm.
Breakfast with Santa is back at White Post farm again, and this year it is extra special. Go and enjoy a yummy breakfast before the farm opens, do some Christmas crafts, meet Santa, build a Teddy Tastic bear to take home, and finish off the morning with an extra special story time with Santa. Then you get to stay and enjoy everything the farm has to offer for the day.
Cost: £19.99 which includes entry to the farm, breakfast, Teddy-Tastic Workshop and a gift.
Sundown Adventureland.
From the 17th November Sundown Adventureland is converted into a Winter Wonderland with Christmas theming throughout and the annual opening of the wonderful ‘Night before Christmas’ ride. Climb aboard one of Santa’s sleighs and take a magical journey through the enchanted forest. You’ll be greeted by the elves and the ever friendly Mrs. Claus and when it’s your time, you’ll be invited to meet the big man himself.
Cost: Children aged 10 and under £18.50 and Adults £16.50. Your ticket includes park entry for the day, use of all of the rides and attractions throughout, the amazing ‘Night Before Christmas Ride‘ and a visit to Santa himself.
Leicestershire
Great Central Railway, Loughborough.
Climb aboard a heritage train and meet Santa and his helpers. Travel from Loughborough to Leicester North and back on the steam hauled Santa Special train. Children receive an exciting gift from Santa, a drink and sweets, whilst adults enjoy festive refreshments too. The whole experience is full of festive fun.
Cost: Prices start at £14 for the Santa Special train. There is also a Santa Deluxe and a Santa Special for £9.00 with no present supplied .
TwinLakes, Melton Mowbray.
Join Santa, Mrs Claus and their Elves for a breakfast feast at Twinlakes Winter Wonderland to add that extra special magic to your child’s Christmas! Breakfast with Santa includes all day at Twinlakes Winter Wonderland.
Cost: Adult £28.00, Children 108cm+ £37.00
National Space Centre
Head to the National Space Centre on the 21st December for a very special pre-Christmas Small Space day, including a visit from a very jolly chap en route from the North Pole! Meet Mrs Claus, who will take you on your magical journey to meet Santa. Sit down for a special Christmas story with Mrs Claus, then head off to meet the man himself for a photo, before getting your gift from the Space Elves.
Cost: £10.00 (including a professional photo print and gift) – This does not include entry into the Space Centre.
Manor Farm Park & Woodlands.
Visit Santa in his woodland cabin to receive a gift, Join in the festive woodland activities. Make Christmas toast on the woodland campfire. Create something in the craft room to take home and enjoy the animal Nativity – Molly the Donkey’s Christmas Story.
Cost: Book online to see Santa for £3 per child, or £2 per child if you book before 11th November 2018. You will need to pay admission prices to the farm as well. A family ticket is £26.00.
Twycross Zoo.
There are lots of Christmas activities included in your ticket price at Twycross Zoo this year; like Santa’s Storytime, Santa’s Key Tree, Santa’s Donkey Walk and more. You could also enjoy breakfast or supper with Santa at an extra cost.
Cost: £17.96 an adult and £13.86 a child if you book online and save 10%
Lincolnshire
Belton House.
The elves have been busy creating a comfortable winter grotto for families to visit Father Christmas at Belton. No visit, of course, is complete without first saying hello to Mother Christmas first, where she’ll help children decorate their own Christmas cookie. All good boys and girls will also receive an early present from Father Christmas. You could also enjoy breakfast or supper with Father Christmas at an extra cost.
Cost: £5.00 per child. Booking essential.
Lincolnshire Wolds Railway.
Santa Special trains will be running on the 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th December. Children get a specially chosen present from Santa on the train and grown-ups get a small gift too.
Cost: £12.00 per person. Book online now to avoid disappointment.
Baytree Nurseries Winter Wonderland.
Wind your way through hundreds of snow covered trees, climb onto Santa’s magic sleigh ride travel into the heart of Winter Wonderland hop off the sleigh and slowly walk past the toy workshop under twinkling lights, See Santa’s little helpers hard at work, See all Santa’s friends .. there’s Polar Bears, Huskies and Seals and a singing Reindeer. You can also visit the real reindeers and feed them a carrot or two. Santa’s Elves have over 50 different gifts for the children who visit him, each gift is suitable to age and gender and they also receive a REAL Christmas tree to take home and plant.
Cost: £9.50 per child, Accompanying adults £1.50.
Rand Farm Park.
The Real Christmas Experience at Rand Farm Park is an immersive Christmas journey through our extensively themed zones. Decorate a biscuit with Mrs Claus, travel through our Magical Forest and learn to be a real Elf in Elf Academy before meeting Santa himself and choosing a toy from his secret toyshop!
Cost: Buy online to save! Adult online £10.95, Child online £15.95. You could also book to have breakfast with Santa at an extra cost.
Lincoln Castle.
Experience the magic of Christmas at Lincoln Castle by joining Father Christmas in the Victorian setting of the Bath House at the Castle. Sit back and listen to stories of Christmases from the past and enjoy finding out more about Father Christmas himself. Every child will receive a Victorian style gift and have the opportunity to share their Christmas wishes.
Cost: Children £8, Adult £6
Northamptonshire
Whilton Locks Garden Village.
Visit Santa at in his Grotto at Whilton Locks Garden Village. No need to book.
Cost: £9.99 includes a Premium Gift.
Delapre Abbey
Treat your little ones to meeting Santa in the gorgeous surroundings of the Archivist Room in the main Abbey. Santa will be on hand to meet the children, chat about their wish list and give them an early Christmas present, lovingly wrapped by his team of elves. Book a one hour slot to reduce your waiting times. You can turn up any time within this slot.
Cost: £5.00 plus a booking fee of 3.45% applies.
Northampton & Lamport Railway.
Come along to visit Santa in his Magical Grotto and then take a train ride along the Northampton & Lamport Railway from Pitsford and Brampton station. Every child will receive a present from Santa, a soft drink, and biscuits. Every adult will receive a glass of sherry (or soft drink if preferred) and a mince pie.
Cost: From £10 per person depending on the date.
Bletchley Park
Step back in time at Bletchley Park and experience a 1940s style Christmas Grotto. Father Christmas will be at home in the Library in the Mansion throughout December. Every child will receive a present and enjoy festive crafts and music while you wait.
Cost: Under 12’s £7.00. This does not include admission to Bletchley Park.
West Lodge Rural Centre
The Christmas Experience at West Lodge Farm is where magical memories are made for you and your little ones with visitors returning year after year. Your Christmas Experience ticket includes; a visit to Father Christmas and the Elves Toy Shop to choose your gift, an opportunity to take your own photograph with Father Christmas, Participation in the Live Nativity Play, Access to the Elves village where you can make some magical reindeer food and visit the Elves Post office to write a letter to Father Christmas, All of the usual fun on the farm including animal activities, piglet racing, free barrel rides, indoor and outdoor adventure play areas and access to the heated indoor adventure barn.
Cost: Prices for children from £9.00 depending on the date you visit.
If you are in the East Midlands and are hosting a Santa’s Grotto and I haven’t added you then do feel free to comment below with the details and for all your future events make sure you email us using the contact page 🙂
Featured Photo by Srikanta H. U on Unsplash
