Kentish Express Ashford & District - What's On
Feel festive as Santa sets out his stall and panto is on its way...
A visit to Father Christmas is a must with young families. Check out our guide for where to visit near you
ALREADY OPEN BLUEWATER
Santa and his elves are in The Village until Christmas Eve. Your festive journey to see Santa will begin with a traditional Christmas story presented in 4D, followed by crafts with Mrs Claus and then meeting Santa. For prices and times, go to bluewater.co.uk.
HOWLETTS, NEAR CANTERBURY
Father Christmas and his merry elves will be bringing festive joy to the wild animal park every weekend, from Saturday, November 24, until Sunday, December 23. Children will be able to share their wishes with Santa and receive a gift, between 10am and 4pm. Entry to the grotto costs £10 per child, with free admission to the grotto for adults. Details at aspinallfoundation.org/santa
HAMPSTEAD VALLEY
The popular grotto opened last weekend at the Gillingham shopping centre and runs until Christmas Eve. Tickets are £5. You can pre-book at hempsteadvalley. com though you don’t have to book in advance, if you don’t mind queuing on the day.
THE FORUM
The free grotto at the Sittingbourne shopping centre runs every Saturday until Saturday, December 22 with Father Christmas in his grotto from 11am to 3pm. Every child receives a festive treat. For more details visit theforumsc.co.uk.
COMING SOON BEDGEBURY, GOUDHURST
Visitors to Christmas at Bedgebury will be greeted by the sights and sounds of the festive season from next week, Friday, November 30 until Sunday, December 30, and get to see the site in a whole new light. Admission is £17, £10.50 for children, £50 for a family, with under fives and carers free. There are additional costs for some activities. To book call 0844 995 1365 or go to christmasatbedgebury.co.uk
HEVER CASTLE
Pre-booked visits to meet Santa in his grotto have sold out, but drop-in sessions to see him in the toy workshop are still available on Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9; Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16, and Thursday, December 20 to Sunday, December 23, between 11am and 4pm. You’ll need an entry ticket to the castle and drop-in to see Father Christmas is £8. To book go to shop.myonlinebooking.co.uk/hevercastle.
BROADDITCH FARM, SOUTHFLEET
A tractor sleigh will take families to find Farmer Christmas and his elves in a cabin in its enchanted wood this winter, where storytelling and gifts await. Farmer Christmas will be ready to greet young visitors from Saturday, December 1. Booking is essential at farmerchristmas.co.uk
HOP FARM, PADDOCK WOOD
See Santa in the Big Red Grotto, meet his helpers, enjoy storytelling, balloon models, Christmas tunes, crafts and write a letter to Father Christmas to either post to the North Pole or hand to him personally and receive a printed photograph for your group from Saturday, December 1. Tickets start at £18 for a child which includes up to two free adults and a child under one. Grotto tickets also allow for free entry to the family park and indoor soft play centre. Book at thehopfarm.co.uk
KENT LIFE
Santa will be stopping off at Kent Life in Maidstone on selected dates from Saturday, December 1 to Christmas Eve. Jump on board the land train driven by the head elf and hear his tales. Kids can also send a letter to Santa in the post office, visit cuddle corner, and try some gingerbread decorating. Grotto slots are available from 10.15am. Tickets cost £7.95 and £12.95 for one to 15-year-olds. Book at kentlife.org.uk
KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY
From Victorian carousel rides at Tenterden Station to decorated steam trains the 80 minute return journey promises to be a magical experience from Saturday, December 1. Look out for elf helpers with sackfuls of presents, festive chocolates for teenage passengers and a small free gift for babies under 18 months. There are only a few tickets left, starting at £19. Book at kesr.org.uk/santa-specials
BEWL WATER
Visitors to the attraction near Lamberhurst can enjoy festive fun in the woodland wonderland, unlimited fairground rides, ice skating, Christmas crafts and marshmallow toasting on a fire pit. Opening days are all weekends in December with the final weekend running from Friday, December 21 to Christmas Eve. Tickets are £18 adults and £35 for children.
Book at bewlwater.co.uk