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Santa’s Grotto 2016: The Best Places To Meet Father Christmas In London and the UK

It's nearly time 🎅.

Meeting Father Christmas in his grotto (and getting a present, too) is one of the most exciting parts of Christmas for kids.

If you don’t yet know where you’ll be heading to see Santa this year, we’ve rounded up places throughout the UK where you can find him.

Keep checking back on this article as we’ll be adding new venues, grottos and Christmas events throughout the festive season.

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Remember to check with the venue that tickets are still available before you go.

Where: Newport, South Wales.

The experience begins with a video message from Santa’s Chief Elf, then activities include gingerbread decoration, santa letter writing and of course you will be able to meet real life Reindeer.

When: 24 November to 24 December.

Tickets: Monday to Thursday from £12.50 per child, Friday to Sunday from £16.00 per child, (note: 19 to 24 December is £18.50 per child).

Where: Center Parcs (Sherwood Forest, Elveden Forest, Longleat Forest, Whinfell Forest and Woburn Forest).

Kids can visit Santa’s Woodland Workshop to meet Nutmeg the reindeer and his family, tell St. Nick what’s on their Christmas list and receive a present.

When: 7 November to 1 January.

Tickets: From £459 for a Winter Wonderland break. Price depends on dates, location and accommodation.

LEGO Christmas Bricktacular

Where: LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, Berkshire.

Families can help build a giant festive LEGO model in the park, take part in the LEGO scavenger hunt and meet Father Christmas in his magical grotto, where every child will receive a LEGO gift.

When: 3, 4, 10, 11 and 17 to 24 December 2016.

Tickets: From £37 per person.

Where: Chill Factore, Trafford Quays Leisure Village, Manchester.

All visits to Santa are combined with play time in the Snow Park, which gets kids into the festive spirit in their very own winter wonderland. Peppa Pig will visit the Chill Factore on 12 to 13 and 19 to 20 November.

When: 5 November to 24 December 2016.

Tickets: From £7 each.

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Father Christmas At The Hall

Where: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London.

Kids take part in magical adventure through the Royal Albert Hall, led by a Victorian doorkeeper who knows all of the Hall’s secrets. Together, they solve puzzles and follow clues to find the key to Father Christmas’s grotto.

When: 6 December to 24 December 2016.

Tickets: £26.50 per child (accompanying adults and children under two go free).

Where: Paultons Park, Hampshire.

Meet Santa in his magical grotto and many of his animal friends along the way as they all get ready for Christmas Eve. Animated characters greet families at every turn with twinkling lights and magical scenes brought to life. There is a free gift for all children and a festive treat and hot punch for adults. Other attractions include Peppa Pig world and ta 4D sleigh ride.

When: 19 November to 23 December.

Tickets: From £19.25 for a child and £24 for adults.

The Grotto At Bluewater

Where: Bluewater, Kent.

Father Christmas will be in a log cabin-style grotto, with elves on standby to help him. Kids go on a “magical journey” through the toy workshop with Paddington the Bear to find Santa’s keys. Each child receives a plush toy. Families can also head to the ice rink for more festive experiences.

When: 24 November to 24 December 2016.

Tickets: From £10.

Where: Millets Farm Centre, Oxfordshire.

The experience lasts around 45 minutes: kids enter the ‘magical wonderland’, sing with the elves and make some reindeer food ready to sprinkle on Christmas eve. They then meet Santa and hear a story told by the big man himself.

When: 12 November to 24 December 2016.

Tickets: From £11.99 for children and £4.99 for adults.

Magical Millbrook Grotto

Where: Millbrook garden centres in Crowborough, East Sussex and Kent.

Children take a journey through the grotto’s winter wonderland, with fun and games to play along the way. When they find Santa’s house, they’re greeted and all get a gift to take home.

When: 19 November - 24 December 2016.

Tickets: £11 per child and £4 per adult.

Santa in the Shambles

Where: York’s Chocolate Story, King’s Square, York.

Families will then be invited into Father Christmas’s ‘old fashioned sweet shop’, where they will be asked to design their own chocolate bar and ‘post’ their design to the chocolate room at the North Pole. Price includes the activity, meeting with santa, photo and a present.

When: 3 December - 24 December 2016

Tickets: £9.95 per child, siblings an additional £7.95.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Where: Hyde Park, London.

Take a trip over to Santa Land, a haven for young visitors, where Father Christmas is free to visit. He will be at Santa Land every day until 6pm with his Elves and a sack of free gifts.

When: 18 November 2016 to 2 January 2017.

Tickets: Santa Claus is free to visit, but attractions at the Winter Wonderland cost additional

We will be updating this piece with more places to visit Santa throughout the festive period.

Before You Go

Selfridges opens its Christmas shop

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