Get the chance to have a special meet and greet with Santa in some of the best Santa’s grottos in London and the South East. Have you been naughty or nice? Either way, get organised and get booking in advance, as slots often go quickly!
Check out our countdown of the six absolute best Santa’s grotto experiences in London and the South East.
6. Santa Land at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Okay, so Santa Land doesn’t have a grotto exactly, but what you do have is an entire Christmassy section of London’s Hyde Park to explore with your loved ones. Enjoy plenty of food stalls with festive favourites, rides for kids of all ages (even big ones), and plenty of attractions and activities to keep little minds occupied.
You’ll get the chance to give Santa a wave as you see him pass during the Santa Parade, which takes place on certain days after 7pm, against a backdrop of festive twinkling lights, as he heads back to Lapland in his sleigh to Mrs Claus.
There is no entry fee for Santa Land, although you will need to pay a fee to enter Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Plus, all children get a free gift to take home as a memento of their special day. There is no booking system – so you’ll likely need to get in a long queue. Park staff have been known to close queues to prevent others joining if it gets too long, so be prepared to wait in line.
Pricing:
Tickets start from £5, or £7.50 for peak times
Dates:
21st November – 5th January
Location:
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London, W2 2UH.
5. Visit Santa’s sleigh at London Transport Museum
If you’re after a different kind of grotto experience this Christmas, why not visit Santa’s Routemaster-inspired sleigh at London’s Transport Museum? Take Christmas snaps on board the sleigh, before meeting Santa’s elves and the man himself.
There’s also a gift shop, wintry trail quiz and plenty of crafting activities to get stuck into. If you answer all the quiz questions correctly, you’ll get a chance to win a mini London Underground lightbox as a memento of your visit.
Pricing:
Adult annual passes cost £24.50 and offer free return entry for a year.
Children go free.
Adults in receipt of Pension Credit or Universal Credit can enter for £1.
Dates:
23rd November – 5th January
Location:
London Transport Museum, The Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB.
4. Visit Santa at ZSL London Zoo
Enjoy an exciting day out visiting Santa and plenty of exotic animals! Kids will get the chance to visit Santa’s grotto for a sit down with the big guy, where they’ll also get a special gift, whether they’ve been naughty or nice!
The grotto is all part of the zoo’s ‘Magic of Christmas’ event, where families can enjoy Christmas crafts, animal talks, toasted marshmallows and animal crafting. You’ll also get the chance to write your letter to Santa in the Polar Post Room. There are different levels of experience available, depending on whether you want a standard or more VIP visit.
Pricing:
Meet Santa – £17.50 per child (includes gift), accompanying adults go free
Meet Santa Deluxe – £40 per child/£15 per adult (includes helping Mrs Claus prepare Christmas dinner for the animals, sweet treat and hot drink, 30-minute Zoo tour, and gift)
Meet Santa VIP Breakfast – £42.50 per child/£21.50 per adult (includes VIP breakfast with Mrs Claus, early morning tour, and gift)
Dates:
23rd November – 24th December
Location:
ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY.
3. Father Christmas at Fulham Palace
Spend some time getting Christmassy at Fulham Palace with a very special Santa meet and greet. Expect festive fires, a magnificent Christmas tree, and elves teaching you arts and crafts while you wait to see the big man himself.
During their visit to Santa, kids can tell him what they want for Christmas, receive a special gift, and have their photo taken with him. Children can have up to two adults visiting Santa with them.
Pricing:
Standard tickets cost £25
Dates:
From 24th November
Location:
Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Ave, London, SW6 6EA.
2. Santa’s Grotto at Hamleys
Arguably one of the best places for a child to visit during Christmas – Hamleys toy store is a magical setting for a Santa’s grotto. When they visit the store, kids will love watching elves make toys for Santa, and it’s a great way for everyone to get in the festive mood.
You can take your own photos of your visit to Santa, or buy a snap that’s taken by a professional as a cherished memory of your time in the grotto. All children get a special treat from the big guy, too. Booking early is important, because Hamleys is very popular with visitors from all over the country.
Pricing:
Visits to the grotto start from £55 for up to three people, and an extra £15 per additional person. However, pricing varies depending on the dates you choose, and dates on weekends and closer to Christmas have a higher cost. You can have groups of up to six people attending.
Dates:
25th November – 20th December
Location:
Hamleys Toy Shop, Regent Street, London, W1B 5BT.
1. The Father Christmas Experience at Marsh Farm
At Marsh Farm in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, a magical journey awaits your whole family as you take an adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa. Visit the Elves in passport control, who will make sure your papers are ready for your journey.
You’ll then have the chance to be inducted as an honorary elf at the elf academy. Listen out for your name to be called to see if it’s on the naughty or nice list, and you’ll then get the opportunity to meet Father Christmas and give him your letter.
After seeing the big guy, it’s time to go to the teddy bear market where you can find a furry companion to take home with you as a reminder of your special day. And of course, all visitors have to visit the toy shop in Elfville, where you can exchange elf money for gifts on the shelves. There’s also lots of activities to enjoy, including treats from a Yuletide menu, rides, ice skating and a chance to meet the farm animals.
Pricing:
Children under 1 go free. Children aged over 1 and over will need a full price ticket, same as adults.
Ticket prices vary by day, from £35 – £75. Prices are all-inclusive, with access to the fun fair, rides and all activities included.
Dates:
16th November – 24th December
Location:
Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, CM3 5YT.
Take a look at the best Santa’s grotto experiences across the UK for more fun ideas.
