The Top 5 Santa’s Grottos

Where would Christmas be without the visit to Santa’s Grotto? It’s probably the only queue where children behave, stand in line and wait. Let’s face it, they’re too scared to get on that ‘naughty list’ not to!! There’s always things that children want from parents and long as we can remember, visiting Santa’s Grotto has been top of that list. Even if it’s a suspect looking portacabin at the back of a car park, Santa and his grotto hold mystical powers.

So where did it all begin? Take a look at our Top 5 Santa’s Grottos and find out.

The tradition started in Britain in 1879, with the world’s first Christmas grotto opening in Lewis’s Bon Marche Department Store in Liverpool. Entitled “Christmas Fairyland” the grotto became one of Liverpool’s ‘go to’ places and put it firmly on the map. For many generations people visited Father Christmas here, with the final displays covering over 10,000 square feet. It’s good to see the Grotto is still there, even though it has now moved to St. Johns Market, St. Johns Shopping Centre.

So where do you take the little one’s and just what do you get for your money?

Here is a short list of the best around :-

Top 5 Santa’s Grottos

Berkshire-

Lapland UK. If you aren’t lucky enough to get to the real Lapland, (which by the way is THE best holiday ever!!), then visit this transformed forest in Berkshire. Here you can walk through this snowy winter wonderland, meeting Christmassy characters along the way.

Be warned, it is a 3 and a half hour journey, so maybe not suitable for the very young. During your trip you will encounter huskies, elves and take part in toy making, ice skating, and gingerbread making. Included in the price is a beautiful gift for each child and a souvenir family photograph with Father Christmas.

Tickets: From £65
When: 17 November to 24 December
www.laplanduk.co.uk

Celtic Manor- Newport.

At this very impressive setting of Wale’s most luxurious hotel, children and their families can enjoy a really festive afternoon in the elaborately decorated Grotto. As well as their own special afternoon tea, children also get to enjoy a group story time with Mother Claus and write their ‘list’ to Santa. Santa visits the session to deliver a small gift to all the children before Christmas.

Tickets: From £12 per child – £24 adults
When: 2- 24th December

www.celtic-manor.com/christmas/festive-dining

Kielder Winter Wonderland – Northumberland

This full day adventure starts by following the winter wonderland star, which leads your family into the magical enchanted forest. In this stunning location, you will find Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas and their friends. Children help the elves in their workshop, where they make a Christmas keepsake to take home, help Mrs Christmas with her chores and watch a Christmas theatre show. As well as these indoor activities, there’s also snow tubing, ice skating and feeding Santas reindeer.

Tickets: From £39.50 per person
When: 16th November – 23rd December
www.kielderwinterwonderland.com

Ride the Polar Express

So whichever one  of Santa’s Grotto’s you decide to take the Little One’s remember to wrap up warm and take lots of photos. Christmas memories are meant to be cherished.