It’s that festive time of year again, and Santa Claus is coming to town! Children of any age who cannot wait for Christmas will enjoy receiving a special gift from Santa in person.
Here’s our guide to the best Santa’s grottos in the North East where you and your family can have the chance to meet the big guy in person!
5. Adventure Valley Winter Wonderland
Adventure Valley amusement and theme park in Durham is the North East’s biggest theme park, with more than 50 different attractions to choose from. This Christmas, you can also have a fun family day out at the park’s Winter Wonderland.
Kids get the chance to meet Santa and select their own free gift from his toy shop, visit the Christmas sweet shop, decorate gingerbread with Mrs Claus, enjoy a bounce on a large winter inflatable, and watch Charlie Cracker and Santa’s elves for a festive show. There’s also the chance to make reindeer food for Rudolph, and to ride the Winter Valley Express train.
You can even have breakfast with Santa too, where you can enjoy a full English in the restaurant plus a visit to your table from Father Christmas himself. Visitors are advised to arrive 15 minutes before their experience begins.
Pricing:
Babies under 1 – From £18.95 to £21.95
Tickets for children aged 2-16 range from £34.95 to £37.95 (Including all activities and a golden ticket for a gift at the Toy Shop)
Pricing for anyone over the age of 16 ranges from £15.95 to £17.95.
Non-participating babies under 12 months go free
Dates:
Weekends from 23rd November – 22nd December, plus 23rd and 23th December.
Location:
Union Hall Farm, Durham, DH1 5SG.
4. Father Christmas at Bamburgh Castle
Experience Santa’s grotto against the magical backdrop of Bamburgh Castle, which is famous for being the largest indoor Christmas experience in the North East. Book a slot for up to 4 children at a time, and enjoy a special visit to speak to Santa in person. He’ll ask children about their Christmas wishes and offer a unique gift that is exclusive to Bamburgh Castle.
Once you’ve seen Santa, take a tour of the castle and grounds. The castle’s state rooms will be transformed into a wintry spectacular, with inspiration from the advent calendar. You’ll see swans-a-swimming, lords-a-leaping, and even a partridge in a pear tree! The castle cafe will also be open, offering sweet treats and delicacies to get you in the festive mood.
Pricing:
Father Christmas visits are an additional £19.95 per child, plus the regular entry price to the castle.
Dates:
16th November – 23rd December
Location:
Bamburgh Castle, Bamburgh NE69 7DF.
3. Grotto visits at Beamish Museum
Beamish Museum in County Durham is a fun day out for the whole family, and kids can now also get the chance to meet Santa in the pop-up grotto. Visit the grotto at Rowley Station Goods Yard, where you’ll see Father Christmas in his bright red suit. Kids can tell Santa what they want for Christmas this year, and will have the chance to take photos with him and receive a special gift.
The whole family can also tour the museum to look at a display of the festive season across different historical periods. Then there’s fun rides, stalls selling Edwardian treats, and the chance to discover what a traditional Georgian Christmas used to be like, in the 1900s pit village. You’ll need to book grotto tickets separately from museum entry tickets.
Pricing:
Children (0-16 years) – £8
Children under 5 will not need an entry ticket for the museum but will need a ticket to visit Father Christmas.
Dates:
23rd November – 24th December
Location:
Regional Resource Centre, Beamish, DH9 0RG.
2. Kielder Winter Wonderland
Watch their eyes light up as you enter an immersive world full of festive fun and action. Little ones will be kept busy at Kielder Winter Wonderland with prose and play in Mrs Claus’ kitchen, and the chance to make their own toys in the elves’ workshop.
They can also meet Santa himself, and the reindeer who will be pulling his sleigh on Christmas Eve! After a check-in with the elves, little ones will be taken through the forest to Father Christmas’ woodland home. Kids will be able to tell Santa what they want for Christmas and will receive a special gift to remind them of their visit.
If you and your family want to make a holiday out of your grotto visit, you can book a lodge break in a beautiful forest location. Some lodges even have hot tubs, so you can unwind with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Pricing:
Adults and children aged 2 and over – £34.50
Children under 2 – £5
Dates:
16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th and 30th November, and 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd December.
Location:
Kielder Forest Park, Kielder Waterside (Leaplish Waterside Park), NE48 1BT.
1. Meet Santa at Hall Hill Farm
Throughout December, you and the kids can visit Hall Hill Farm in Durham which tops our list of the best Santa’s grottos in the North East. Get into the festive spirit and enjoy a day meeting Santa, his elves, and many furry friends! Children will get the chance to spend time with Santa, tell him their wishes and receive a special present.
They’ll also be able to join the elves in making their own Christmas decorations to take home, and take a tractor ride around the farm. There’s also winter stable visits, so visitors can make friends with furry companions, and meet Dasher the talking reindeer. Bookings go quickly, so you have to move quickly!
Pricing:
Adult – £11.95
Child (1-15 years) – £17.50 (includes a gift from Santa)
Child (1 and under) – Free
Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children + gift from Santa) – £57
Family Ticket (2 adults and 3 children + gift from Santa) – £74.50
Annual Pass (Adult) – Free
Annual Pass (Child) – £6.99 (includes a gift from Santa)
Annual Pass (Over 60) – Free
Carer Ticket – Free
Dates:
30 November, 1st, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd December.
Location:
Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester, Durham, DH7 0TA.
Check out our guide to the best Santa’s grottos and Christmas experiences in the UK for more festive ideas.
