Sun writers travel all over Britain to visit Santa and find the best grottos this Christmas

Kate Jackson

Published: 22:30, 8 Dec 2019
Updated: 19:45, 8 Dec 2019

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.

. 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.

. 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.

. 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.

. 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.

. 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.

. 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.

Step onto real snow at Chill Factore Santa's grotto in Manchester

“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.”