‘There’s nowhere better to see Santa ... it’s just magical’
PARENTS DEFEND CHRISTMAS GROTTO BRANDED AS ‘OVERPRICED’
DERBYSHIRE parents have rushed to defend a Santa’s grotto that was recently branded “overpriced”.
Mums have rallied together in defence of Garden King in Newhall for charging £18 per child and £6 per adult, and £6 per baby under 12 months during peak times, having treated kids to the 40-minute experience.
The cost covers making reindeer food, writing a letter to Santa, meeting Santa in his lodge and receiving a small toy, then embarking on a woodland walk to see real reindeer.
The grotto experience first sparked debate when a mum took to Spotted Hilton’s Facebook page on December 6 to ask whether any other grottos were offering a “cheaper” experience than Garden King, seen by many as overpriced.
She wrote: “Can anyone recommend anywhere *cheaper* to see the big man?
“I know times have been hard this last couple of years but he’s pulling my leg if he thinks I’m paying £66.”
But many have sided with Garden King, arguing that the staff go above and beyond to create one of the best Santa experiences in the county.
Commenting on the Derby Telegraph’s Facebook post, Kirsty Passey wrote: “I took my children last week, they lost their dad in February. This was their first Santa visit. They absolutely loved it.
“The Santa was very understanding to my son when he read his letter to himself as he didn’t want it read out loud.
“The family photo we got wasn’t shot right and they allowed us to go back in to try another, deffo recommend.”
Katie Cotton commented: “I go every year with my boys and every year just gets better and better.
“Tbh I can’t find anywhere else around here that can beat it... it’s just magical... The staff are amazing and they all work so very hard...
“It’s an experience. Not just seeing Santa for five minutes like everywhere else.”
The positive comments continued to flood in.
Kelly Meredith said: “We’ve been here several years and always been great! Been upgraded this year and great effort is always made.”
Chloe Wilkinson added: “Garden King’s lovely!
“Great staff, lovely Christmassy atmosphere, always doing different free activities, great prices and everything you’ve got to pay for is worth the money anyway for how much effort they put into it all.
“If you can’t afford it, don’t go? There’s a lot more places that are ridiculously expensive. Garden King’s a nice day out.”
Some took a more neutral position.
Lorena Webber posted: “It may be out of some parents’ budgets but I know some who take their children and they say how amazing it is. You get what you pay for!”
But some backed the original post, arguing that the cost still seems high. Commenting underneath Derbyshire Live’s Facebook post, Natalie Fitzhugh tagged a relative and said: “This is what I was saying to you, a bit much to see Santa.”
Many readers also struggled to understand why it cost £6 for a baby under 12 months to attend. Elle Hilton wrote: “I think charging for babies is a little harsh as they can’t get the full experience but like my partner said this morning, they are a business and have staff and running costs to factor in plus Covid restrictions which are possibly impacting on how many people they can have on site.”
Emily Cass commented: “I asked if I needed to pay for a ticket costing £6 for my six-week-old baby that would be sleeping through the whole of it... the answer was yes. The festive walk is lovely though but I wouldn’t be going anywhere that I’d have to buy my newborn a ticket.”
Garden King is running its Santa’s grotto experience up until Christmas Eve.
It’s an experience. Not just seeing Santa for five minutes like everywhere else.
Katie Cotton