Sun writers travel all over Britain to visit Santa and find the best grottos this Christmas
A TRIP to Santa’s grotto is the most magical event of the year for many kids – but often an increasingly expensive pain for parents.
Meeting Father Christmas used to involve sitting on the big man’s lap at your local garden centre.
Now it is a top-price event, with many Santa visits selling out long before we even start opening our advent calendars.
The average cost has jumped too, from £9.39 to £12.63 in just three years, which is a whopping 35 per cent increase.
One in three grottos will now charge more than £15 per child.
Here, Sun writers review some of the best on offer around the UK. They have rated them out of five for the quality of Santa, the gift and the overall experience.
Yorkshire
MICHELLE RAWLINS took her children, Archie, ten and Tilly, three. She said: “This isn’t just a visit to Santa, but an action-packed day out that can’t fail to leave you full of festive cheer.
“The Yorkshire winter wonderland not only invites little ones into a beautifully created magical grotto, but is home to a 1.2km, all-weather outdoor Nordic ski trail, as well a decent-sized ice rink and a mind-boggling maze. But it would have cost £80 for a family of four which is a lot.
“One of the big pulls is the magical enchanted forest, with its spectacular winter illuminations, animatronics, fairytale houses, talking trees and adventure playgrounds.
“A very realistic Santa sat in a cosy log cabin and listened carefully to Tilly’s requests before giving both kids a cuddly penguin. You leave feeling as though you have been sprinkled with fairy dust.”
Archie said: “Christmas isn’t Christmas without a visit to Stockeld Park.”
Tilly said: “I loved seeing Santa in his house. He gave me a penguin teddy called Puddles, which I love.”
SANTA RATING: 5/5
GIFT RATING: 4/5
TOTAL RATING: 4/5
- Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, . Price: Entry to park: £8.50 - £16 per person, depending on whether you buy online or at the gate. Santa’s grotto is extra at £8.50 - £12 per child, which includes two accompanying adults. Ski trail and ice skating for an extra £5 per person.
Cornwall
CLARE O’REILLY took her children Eddie, 15, Sammy, 11 and Annie, eight, and said: “Santa sits in a tent with an open fire and trees.
“There’s carol singing and the children can print their own wrapping paper.
“He tells a story about how Christmas was nearly cancelled last year as he couldn’t find the keys to the sleigh, but through teamwork with the elves, they found it.
“The children were given an antique-looking key, instead of a toy, with the idea that you might already have what you’re looking for inside you.
“I liked the fact it wasn’t just about wanting toys. It was very expensive at more than £100 when you include skating and food but we spent hours there enjoying the plants and habitats and lights too.”
Annie said: “I liked the story and I’ve kept the key with me ever since. Santa was lovely. The elves were funny too and after queueing in the cold, the tent with the open fire was really cosy.”
SANTA RATING: 4/5
GIFT RATING: 5/5
TOTAL RATING: 4/5
- Eden Project Festival of Christmas, Bodelva, Cornwall, . Price: £28.50 per adult, £15 per child. To see Santa is £10 for one child and one adult. Ice skating costs £6-£7.
London
NILUFER ATIK and Matt Davies took their son, Milo, three. Nilufer said: “There were around 20 children with their parents, all ushered into a wooden cabin.
“Santa began by singing a few Christmas songs to get everybody into the mood and recited the poem, ’Twas The Night Before Christmas. I was impressed by how good he was at storytelling and the rapport he had with the kids.
“He called each child up by name to give them a present and pose for a photo.
Milo loved it, especially when Santa let him pull his beard. He was over the moon with his gift, a Thomas The Tank Engine colouring set.
“Afterwards, you can wander around the Christmas market. The only downside was that the photos were quite expensive at £15 a pop, but they were good quality.”
Milo said: “I liked singing Jingle Bells and giving the elf a cuddle.”
SANTA RATING: 4/5
GIFT RATING: 2/5
TOTAL RATING: 3/5
- Santa’s Grotto, Christmas in Leicester Square, . Price: £10 per child and one adult. £5 for any extra adults.
Cardiff
GEORGIE GILDING took her children Harriette, two, and Julliette, eight months.
She said: “This was an amazing and magical experience. We arrived late Sunday afternoon and there was no wait, so we were very lucky, as you can’t pre-book.
“The team of elves and Father Christmas were all extremely friendly and kind and made both girls feel very comfortable meeting Santa, with lots of giggles and smiles.
“The grotto had good seating – simple but cosy, and a warm feel to it. Both girls loved their toys, a cuddly panda and a train, which Ikea provide for the charity.
“It was for a good cause and a great experience for us all.”
Harriette said: “I loved seeing Santa. He was very nice and made my baby sister happy. I like my toy, it was fun.”
SANTA RATING: 5/5
GIFT RATING: 5/5
TOTAL RATING: 5/5
- Noah’s Ark Charity Santa’s Grotto, Ikea, Ferry Road, Cardiff, . Price: Grotto and toy: £10. Grotto, photo and toy: £12.
Edinburgh
EIMEAR O’HAGAN and her husband Malcolm took their sons Ruadhán, four, and Donnacha, two.
She said: “Our experience began with a colouring-in session with one of Santa’s elves.
“Ruadhán quizzed her on life at the North Pole and how long Santa was visiting Scotland for. Then we were led into the beautifully decorated grotto, filled with Christmas trees, stockings and twinkling lights.
“Waiting for us was Santa, who was the double of Richard Attenborough in the festive film Miracle On 34th Street. The boys sat at his feet, enthralled, and he spent ten minutes chatting and joking with them.
"He gave them both a gift – a kaleidoscope, which was a big hit, and a jigsaw, but at 265 pieces too complex for their age.”
Ruadhán said: “Santa had a big belly and told me he’d like milk and a cookie on Christmas Eve.”
SANTA RATING: 5/5
GIFT RATING: 3.5/5
TOTAL RATING: 4.5/5
- Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith, Edinburgh, . Price: £17.50 per child or £14.50 for loyalty card holders.Ticket price includes entry to Fort Douglas, the on-site adventure park.
Berkshire
LYNSEY HOPE took her children Jacob, five, and Olive, two. She said: “Before going into the grotto, we went on a few rides and built a mini Lego train in a special toy workshop, which the kids got to keep.
“The resort looks magical. In Miniland, there’s a Santa in his sleigh flying over Big Ben and lots of other Christmassy Lego touches. An elf leads you through a maze of trees to see Father Christmas, which is wonderful.
“The children were thrilled with their gifts – a Lego Juniors Disney Pixar car for Jacob, which usually costs £13.50, and Duplo animals for Olive. They also got a gingerbread man and adults had a hot drink afterwards.
“The only downside was that there weren’t many options for food and drink, with a lot of the snack shacks still closed, and some of the rides are closed over the winter.
“At £36 a person, it did feel like quite an expense but we all had a wonderful, Christmassy day out and felt it was good value for money.”
Jacob said: “Father Christmas was very funny. I told him I was five and he thought I was 55, even though I’m only little.”
Olive said: “I liked meeting Father Christmas. I asked him for a Christmas tree.”
SANTA RATING: 5/5
GIFT RATING: 5/5
TOTAL RATING: 4/5
- LEGOLAND at Christmas, Windsor, Berks, . Price: £36 per person.
Manchester
KATE JACKSON and her husband Alun took their boys, Dylan, six, and Joe, four. Kate said: “If a trip to Lapland is out of the question, this white wonderland at the UK’s largest indoor real snow slope is the next best option.
“We queued for about 20 minutes, despite booking a time slot, but there is colouring and bouncy mini reindeers to occupy impatient children.
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
“It was magical to step on to real snow to walk to Santa’s log cabin. Father Christmas did a trick with a magic fairy to see if the boys were on the nice list, and spent time talking to them about their wish lists.
“We didn’t feel rushed, and Santa was warm and friendly, as you’d hope. The boys were chuffed with their toys – a mini Nerf-style shooter and robot.
“You can’t take photos in the grotto, so buying a picture adds to an expensive day out. But racing downhill on the doughnuts and sledges in the Snow Park, and meeting Santa, made for an unbeatable day out.”
Dylan said: “It was the Best. Day. Ever.”
SANTA RATING: 5/5
GIFT RATING: 3/5
TOTAL RATING: 4/5
- Chill Factore Santa’s grotto, Beyond, 7 Trafford Way, Trafford City, . Price: From £25 per guest, £45 for a family of two or £85 for a family of four, includes grotto and an hour in Snow Park. Children aged three and under can visit the grotto and Mini Mooseland from £9.50 per guest or £15 for a family of two. Get ten per cent off midweek bookings online.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]