Where to see Santa
It’s that time of year again when Santa opens the doors of his grotto before taking to the skies on Christmas Eve. Here’s some of the very best places to take the kids to snap that all-important photo with Santa and maybe even grab breakfast with the big
SANTA’S STARLIT GROTTO AT BLUEBELLS Experience a magical night with Santa Claus, Mrs Claus and the Christmas elves. Lit by fairy lights, the farm becomes a stunning twinkly scene that truly captures the magic of Christmas with warm mince pies and other Christmas treats available in the Candycane Express departure lounge and hot mulled wine included in the price for adults. Write your Christmas letter to Santa while you wait for your ride to Santa’s woodland cabin and then place a Christmas wish on the wish trees before hopping aboard the Candycane Express trailer ride to Santa’s woodland cabin and Bluebell Frostcrackers’ Toyshop. When: December 22 and December 23, 5pm - 8pm Where: Bluebell Dairy, Locko Road, DE21 7AR How much: Children £11.95, Adults £6.50, Under 2s £7 (members receive a 20% discount). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the website here. SANTA’S GROTTO AND TEA OR BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AT WYEVALE GARDEN CENTRE Every child will receive a special present from Santa himself in a day of festive fun. There’s breakfast or tea with Santa, where children can decorate their own biscuits, receive a present and meet Santa himself after a freshly-prepared meal. When: Until December 24, 11am - 2.45pm Where: Wyevale Garden Centre, Burton Road, Findern, DE65 6BE How much: Grotto - £6 per child. Breakfast or tea with Santa - £10.95 per child, adults from £5. For more information or to book, visit the Santa’s Grotto website. AN AUDIENCE WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS AT 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. Each child will also receive a small present. Booking for the Audience with Father Christmas is essential. When: December 22 and December 23. Time slots available: 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am, 12pm, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm and 3.30pm. Where: Bolsover Castle, Castle Street, Bolsover, Chesterfield, S44 6PR How much: Entry fee to the castle plus £5 for each child. Adults £11.30, Child (5-17) £7.80, concessions £10.20, family £29.40. English Heritage Members get free entry to the castle. FATHER CHRISTMAS’S GROTTO AT KEDLESTON HALL Father Christmas has called into Kedleston’s stables this year whilst his reindeers get some well-earned rest. Your experience will include a gift from Father Christmas as well as the craft activities which we will have taking place. Guests are advised to dress warmly. When: Until December 15, from 11am - 1pm Where: Kedleston Hall, DE22 5JH How much: Each child costs £6 and admission prices must also be paid to access the grotto: Adult £13.60, Child £6.80, Family £34. For more information visit the website here, call 0344 249 1895 or email kedlestonhall@ nationaltrust.org.uk.
NOTTINGHAM TWINLAKES WINTER WONDERLAND Featuring the biggest Christmas grotto in the UK, the whole park is being transformed into a magical festive fantasy land complete with a Polar Express train, snowman hunting, reindeer feeding, fireworks, gingerbread decorating, a giant Christmas globe, letters to Santa and Santa’s grotto. When: Until Christmas Eve Where: Twinlakes, Melton Mowbray How much: Toddlers under 95cm go free. Entry to Santa’s Grotto is £7 and a standard ticket is £15. FLORALANDS SANTA EXPERIENCE The popular Christmas celebrations at Floralands are back, with a chance to have breakfast or tea with Father Christmas and visit his grotto, as well as a chance for families to win the perfect Christmas raffle. Where: Floralands Farm Park, Lambley When: Until December 24 How much: Standard admission for children is £3 and under 2s go free.
BROOKFIELDS SANTA
Santa is back in the magical grotto at Brookfields - he’ll be greeting youngsters at weekends in the run up to the big day with an enchanting secret garden leading children to his magical grotto. Where: Brookfields Garden Centre, Mapperley When: Until December 24 How much: Entrance is £1 per child with all proceeds going to Nottinghamshire Hospice.
BROADMARSH SANTA’S GROTTO
The Intu centre are running a free grotto this Christmas where youngsters can meet the big man every weekend in December. Where: Intu Broadmarsh When: Until December 24 How much: The event is free, though you can also add a gift to your visit for £3 and pick up a photo of the moment from £7. If you wish to pre-book, there is a £1.50 booking fee to guarantee a place.
SANTA’S GROTTO IN THE COURTYARD
See Santa in a truly historic setting throughout the weekends in December. Where: Newstead Abbey When: Until Christmas Eve. How much: £6 per child, including a gift.
LEICESTER BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Enjoy a fabulous morning in the company of Santa, Mrs Claus and their Elves. Once you’ve tucked in to your delicious, freshly-prepared buffet breakfast, Santa will arrive with Mrs Claus. Where: Palmers Garden Centres, Enderby and Ullesthorpe When: Now until Christmas Eve. How much: Tickets cost £12.50 per child and £10 per adult.
BEAUMONT SHOPPING CENTRE GROTTO
Beaumont Shopping Centre’s grotto is now open as Santa welcomes the boys and girls. Little ones can meet Father Christmas himself, and his team of elves, and receive a special gift - if they’ve been good. Where: Beaumont Shopping Centre 25 Beaumont Way, Leicester When: Until Christmas Eve How much: Prices start from £3.50, including a special gift.
FATHER CHRISTMAS AT HIGHCROSS
Little ones will be able to journey through the winter garden and into Santa’s log cabin to meet the big man himself. Children can enjoy chatting with Santa before receiving a gift at the end of the experience. Where: Highcross Leicester, 5 Shires Lane When: Up until December 24 How much: Bookings can be made in advance online with prices starting from £5 (plus a booking fee of £1.50).
SANTA AT BOSWORTH BATTLEFIELD HERITAGE CENTRE
Santa is visiting The Tithe Barn at Bosworth Battlefield, and he’d love you to join him for breakfast and a gift. Where: Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre When: December 23. There’s two sessions available, at 9.30am and 11am. How much: The event costs £11.95 per child. Accompanying adults can get a locally sourced bacon or sausage cob along with a tea or Americano coffee for £3 per person. Book by calling 01455 291048.