Where you can find Santa
IT won’t be long now before Santa Claus is coming to town and as we speak he will no doubt be making his list and checking it twice. But who will be on the good list and who will be on the naughty list for Father Christmas?
If you have children, grandchildren or nieces or nephews to spoil, no festive season will be complete without a visit to Santa’s grotto.
And, because he is magic, Santa can be in several grottos at once.
Fortunately for all of us in London there are plenty of places where children can visit Santa across the city, both in the heart of the capital and some wonderful ones worth visiting outside the centre.
In no particular order of preference we list some of best and most loved Santa’s grottos in London.
To help you plan your day we have also provided some travel information - if the grotto is in the centre of London it’s probably best to use public transport but for those a little further out we have given some advice if you’re planning to travel by car.
Santa’s Snowflake Grotto at Westfield London in Shepherds Bush and also at Westfield Stratford City is a spellbinding Snowflake Factory.
At the Wish Cannon, children fill in a Christmas Wish List, put it in a special container and then see their list zoom up the tube and activate a puff of smoke.
Snowflake Scope allows children to look through microscopes at artificial snowflakes magnified thousands of times.
At Snow Control children can play with levers, buttons, cranking wheels and telephones, which light up, beep, start music and even release jets steam. But whatever they do, they must not press the “do not press” button.
And when they enter the Snow Chamber, children will meet Santa and get a present and have a photo taken to buy. Parents can take their own photos, too. Visits last 20 to 25 minutes. Where it is: Westfield London, Ariel Way, Shepherds Bush, W12 7GF
When it’s open: November 22 - Christmas Eve
Opening times: Various, opening at 10am or 11am and finishing between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, with longer opening hours on Saturdays and in the lead up to Christmas, including 9am openings
Ticket prices: £7.50 for each adult and each child
Nearest Tube stations: Shepherd’s Bush and White City on the Central line, Wood Lane and Shepherd’s Bush Market on the Hammersmith & City and Circle lines
Nearest mainline train station: Shepherd’s Bush Buses which stop near here: White City Bus Station: 31, 49, 148, 207, 237, 260, 607 and C1. Shepherd’s Bush: 72, 94, 95, 220, 272, 283, 295 and N207. Parking: Type postcode W12 7SL in your sat nav to be directed to all three car parks - charges range from £3 to £9
It’s FREE to meet Santa in his grotto at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and he will have a gift for you. Parents can take photos of the special moment or buy a professional one.
Santa’s grotto is in Santa Land where you’ll be able to visit Santa’s Toy Factory fun house where Santa and his elves are making gifts ready for the big day.
Santa Land this year also includes a 45-metre-long Ice Slide and an Ice Trike Trail. There are rides for little children and plenty of places to eat and buy a sweet treat. You can’t book your visit to Santa’s Grotto, though, so it’s first come, first served and you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to wait your turn. If it’s a busy day, the queue might close early so everyone in it will have a chance to be seen. This year there is a family entrance which takes you straight into Santa Land.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Santa Land within it are free to enter but you will need to buy tokens for the rides.
There are also other attractions and events, including ice skating, circuses and Christmas markets, which you can buy tickets for.
Where it is: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, W2 2UH
When it’s open: November 23 - January 6
Opening times: Thursdays to Sundays 10am-6pm, Mondays-Wednesdays 10am-4.30pm Ticket prices: FREE Nearest Tube stations: Bond Street on the Central and Jubilee lines, Green Park (for avoiding steps) on the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines, Knightsbridge on the Piccadilly line, Marble Arch on the Central line and Hyde Park Corner on the Piccadilly line
Nearest mainline train stations: Paddington and Victoria Buses which stop near here: North: C2, 6, 7, 10, 16, 19, 23, 36, 52, 73, 82, 98, 113, 274, 390, 414 South: 2, 36, 137, 148, 159, 436 West: 9, 10, 14, 19, 22, 52, 74, 94, 148, 414
East: 8,15, 23, 30, 38, 274
Christmas in Leicester Square returns courtesy of festival and event organiser Underbelly, with a programme of festive entertainment.
This includes Santa’s Grotto, which was a huge hit last year.
In his grotto, Santa will tell children a festive tale before hearing each child’s Christmas wishes, posing for a photo with them and giving them an early Christmas present.
It lasts 25 minutes and sessions are for up to 20 children.
Where it is: Christmas in Leicester Square, Leicester Square
When it’s open: November 10 - December 24
Opening times: Mondays to Thursdays from 4pm-8pm and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-8pm. Sessions begin every 30 minutes
Ticket prices: £11.50 including £1.50 fee - each child ticket includes one free adult admission, for each child ticket you may also buy one additional adult ticket, price £6.50 including fees
Nearest Tube station: Leicester Square on the Northern and Piccadilly lines
Nearest mainline train Charing Cross
Buses which stop near here: 24, 29, 176, N5, N20, N29, N41 and N279 at bus stop J station:
Meet Father Christmas at Hamleys Where could be a more appropriate place to meet Santa than in the famous Regent Street toy shop, Hamleys?
Weekend dates are already fully booked but there was still availability for some weekday slots at the time of writing.
As part of a group session, children will hear magical stories of Christmas, write their own Christmas wish list and meet Father Christmas himself.
The Hamleys Elves will be there and children will be able to chose a cup of Scrumpalicious sweets from the pick and mix.
They will also get a balloon, sticker and a gift bag.
Each session lasts 45 minutes and includes up to 12 children. It’s suitable for children aged three to seven.
Where it is: Hamleys, 188 - 196 Regent Street, W1B 5BT
When it’s open: November 24 - December 24
Opening times: 9am-7pm - December weekend dates are already fully booked but there was still availability for some November 24 and 25 weekend and December weekday slots at the time of writing Ticket prices: £39.95 per child Nearest Tube stations: Oxford Circus on the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines, Piccadilly Circus on the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines, Tottenham Court Road on the Central and Northern lines
Nearest mainline train Charing Cross Buses which stop near here: Conduit Street: 23, 88, 94, 159, 453, C2, N18, N109, N136
Beak Street: 12, 139, N3, N15, N113 station:
It is said that the Royal Albert Hall is the secret London headquarters of Father Christmas and his elves.
In an hour-long visit, children will take a journey though areas of the Royal Albert Hall and meet some characters from the North Pole.
There will be the toy soldiers, fairies, workshop elves, toymakers and, of course, Santa along the way, and some fun activities.
Children will have the chance to sit in Father Christmas’ sleigh and get a gift from him. They can also choose