It’s every child’s dream to get the opportunity to meet Santa in person at Christmas. Here’s where you can see the man himself at venues across the Midlands. Watch their little faces light up with delight at the exciting attractions on offer. We’ve put together our list of the absolute best Santa’s grottos in the Midlands. Keep reading to see our top picks.
4. Sea Life Centre, Birmingham
Here’s a twist to the traditional grotto – the chance to meet Santa and lots of sea creatures, too! This one’s a very fish-massy adventure! Children will delight in watching the 2000 creatures on display, including gentoo penguins, sea otters and sharks.
After touring the aquariums, make your way to the glittering grotto where you’ll find Santa and his happy elves waiting to hear what your child wants for Christmas. Santa will spend time with your child and listen to their Christmas wishes, before giving them a gift as a memory of their special day. Places get booked up quickly and the grotto does get busy, so booking online with an appointment is an absolute must.
Pricing:
Tickets are priced from £8.50 each. All guests must also have a valid attraction ticket to the Sea Life Centre for the day.
Every child needs an extra ticket in order to visit Santa.
Children under 12 months go free when accompanying another paying child, but will not receive a gift.
You’ll need to pay for a full-price ticket for your child to receive a gift and the full Santa experience.
Dates:
30th November – 24th December
Location:
Eleven Brindley Place, The Water’s Edge, Birmingham, B1 2HL
3. Christmas at Cadbury World, Birmingham
Meet Father Christmas at Cadbury World, while discovering how your favourite chocolate festive treats are made. Kids will get the chance to make chocolate doodles, learn how their favourite treats are made, and add their favourite sweet treat to a pot of liquid Cadbury’s chocolate. There’s also the chance to ride the Crunchie rollercoaster via a simulation experience, and the opportunity to listen to tutorials on the origins of cocoa beans, so kids can discover how chocolate is made.
This year, Cadbury World is hosting some very chocolatey celebrations for Christmas. Kids will get the chance to meet Santa at his very own pantomime show, which you and your family can head to at any time during your visit. The Cadbury World Santa Show is full of festive fun and sing-alongs that everyone can take part in. Elves will also be handing out tasty festive treats for children.
This year, the Cadbury pantomime features Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming, with 10 performances per day, so you’ll get plenty of chances to watch it throughout your visit.
Pricing:
Adults: From £25
Children (aged 3-15 years): From £20 – Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult
Under 2 years: free
Essential carer: Free
Dates:
Weekends from 23rd November to 22rd December + 23rd and 24th December
Location:
Cadbury World, 69 Linden Rd, Bournville, Birmingham, B30 1JR
2. Santa’s Winter Wonderland, SnowDome, Tamworth
For the 18th year running, Santa’s Winter Wonderland is back and ready to host you and your family in a magical winter extravaganza. Explore the snow trail, throw snowballs and get the chance to play in real snow! Ride down the snow tubes, take a ride on a sleigh, or have a walk through the enchanted forest. After this, get up close with Santa’s festive furry friends at the Christmas Village, where you’ll find an animal pen, children’s carousel and Santa’s house, where kids can write and post their letters to Santa via a magical talking postbox.
There’s also a performance of Alice in Wonderland, where kids will get the chance to see Santa in person. Will Santa make it in time for his very important date? All will be revealed! You’ll need to wrap up warm during your visit, because the snow is real inside the SnowDome, and temperatures are cold!
Pricing:
Tickets start from £18.95 and run up to £26.95 each, depending on the dates selected. Relaxed sessions are also available at select times.
Dates:
15th November – 5th January
Location:
Leisure Island, Riverdrive, Tamworth, B79 7ND
1. Santa Safari, Hawkstone Park Hotel
Our pick for the best Santa’s grotto in the Midlands is the Santa Safari at Hawkstone Park Hotel.
How would you fancy meeting Santa on Safari? When you and your family arrive at Hawkstone Park Hotel, you’ll be treated to a festive hot chocolate drink before being driven around the park in a Land Rover, before the route takes you underneath the Wishing Arch and up a steep hill to a series of caves where Santa is waiting in his magical grotto.
You’ll need sensible walking shoes and warm clothes, because you’ll then walk through a series of real uneven caverns and tunnels guided by fairy lights, before reaching Santa’s grotto itself. Very young children will need to be carried, as pushchair and wheelchair access is not possible in the caves due to uneven surfaces.
Kids will have the chance to meet Santa in person, tell him what they want for Christmas, and receive a special gift. Afterwards, feel free to wander around the grotto at your leisure. Wear warm clothing, because the grotto itself is very chilly!
When you’re ready to travel back, a 4×4 will take you and your family back to the main hotel where you can have refreshments in the bar or a meal in the restaurant before heading back home. Spaces are limited, and bookings need to be made in advance. Each ticket is valid for up to six people (including adults and children). You’ll need to bring your tickets with you on the day of your visit.
Pricing:
Tickets are sold per vehicle, with space for up to six people. Pre-booking and full payment is essential due to a small number of places.
Price for a vehicle up to 6 people:
Daylight: £139.00 or £145.00
Twilight: £139.00, £155.00 or £159.00
Price for a vehicle up to 8 people:
Daylight: £175.00 or £180.00
Twilight: £175.00 or £190.00
Dates:
29th November – 23rd December
Location:
Hawkstone Park and Follies Shrewsbury, SY4 5JY.
Be sure to check out our list of the top Santa’s grottos across the UK for more festive ideas.
