Please accept my apologies for mentioning the “C” word in October, however, I am very conscious of the fact that visits to see Father Christmas are something that need planning well in advance and can often sell out very early on. I put a call out for everyone’s recommendations on where to see the big man himself all over the UK and here is a round-up of some of the best.
The Santa Experience
I long to take my kids to meet Father Christmas in Lapland, but after looking into it, it is way outside what we can afford. The UK does have its own solution though, LaplandUK near Windsor Surrey.
Lapland UK. Photo credit: Kara Guppy
This was perhaps the best Father Christmas experience we have ever been to and the kids were transported to the land of the elves, decorated biscuits with Mother Christmas and met the big man himself in realistic cabins. Laura’s daughter from Tired Mummy of Two described it as better than the real thing and Alison and her family from Not Another Mummy Blog described it as utterly special and fantastic.
Santa’s Elves
Coming a very close second is the amazing Kingdom of the Elves at Bluestone, where you get to become an elf for the day and get to follow the journey of a child’s letter to Santa, how and where they make their gift and finally get to have a party with the elves if you have done a great job.
Real-life Grotto
Tantrums to Smiles recommend Clearwell Caves, Coleford for a magical Christmas experience, who put on the story of “The perfect christmas tree”. The caves are decorated, illuminated and tell a magical christmas story for all to enjoy.
Another magical cave experience is told by Victoria from Victoria Visits who recommends Santaland at Wookey Hole for a great day out for slightly older children. With a circus, beautifully lit caves and even a 4D film to watch, I can see why and older children will also enjoy seeing all the animals at Marwell Wildlife too.
Santa & Trains
For train loving children, a journey on the Polar Express is a must if you enjoy the film. The trains run in three locations in the UK, Dartmoor, Telford Steam Railway and Weardale Railway. At the end of the journey to the North Pole you meet Father Christmas himself on the train and are presented with your own very special silver bell to keep. Don’t forget to wear your pyjama’s!
If the Polar Express isn’t your thing, but you still want the magic of a ride on a steam train, Nicola Says visited Lappa Valley, BubbaBlue and Me visited Didcot to meet Thomas the Tank Engine and The Farmers Wife and Mummy took a trip on the Santa’s Express at Lancashire Railway.
Theme park Santas
Theme Parks also have some fabulous Christmas events and are also very much quieter than they are in the summer so you get to try out the rides with very little queuing. One of our favourites is the Winter Wonderland at Paultons Park as you not only get the magical Winter Wonderland experience but you also get to enjoy the delights of Peppa Pig World too.
One we are hoping to try this year is Legoland’s Christmas event where the Let’s Be Kids Family enjoyed a visit last year. Legoland looks even more beautiful covered in fairy lights and snow. Talking of snow, Drayton Manor and more importantly Thomas Land was also covered in fairy lights and snow for a visit from Father Christmas and Sir Topham Hatt with Here comes the Girls too.
Department store Santas
One of the most popular Father Christmas experience is a visit to Harrods, but you best be quick as it sells out fast. In this post Wave to Mummy shares her Harrods Santa’s Grotto experience and for chocolate lovers Cadbury World combines all the fun of the Pantomine with the chance to sample some of their best loved snacks. (Grab a bargain in the shop too).
Garden Centre Santas
Garden Centres are also a popular place to see Father Christmas and Whinge Whinge Wine just about managed to get tickets to her favourite grotto at Brookside Garden Centre. Wyevale Garden Centres always get great write-ups of their breakfast or tea with Santa events and every year at Broomhill, Santa arrives on a different mode of transport.
Next month I will be looking for all your half term fun posts, don’t forget to tweet me the links @Chelseamamma.
If you have a suggestion for a fantastic Christmas day out of your own, please add it to the linky below.
About Kara Guppy
Kara is a busy mother of 6 children aged between 2 and 22 and lives in Dorset. The family love to be outside and live by the motto "Collect Moments, Not Things". We can often be found leaping in muddy puddles, climbing trees, collecting seashells or hurling ourselves off cliffs down ziplines, and all for fun of course. Kara loves to blog about her and the family's adventures and can be found at Chelseamamma.co.uk, arewenearlythereyet.eu and sharing videos of her days out on her YouTube channel. She can also be found on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, G+, Vine and Pinterest.
- Web |
- More Posts(40)
Sabina @MummyMatters
Friday 21st of October 2016
Love this post, we are already planning our trip to Father Christmas. Last year we went to 'Father Christmas' event with a difference. There was a special 'show' by some elves who asked us to take a lantern and a gift tag where we had to right a Christmas Wish for someone else then board a train which took you through parkland that had lovely twinkly lights on display and then you finished off in a water and light garden to tie our wishes to a Wish Tree, we then finished off with a warm drink and mince pies. It made such a nice change to not have a 'present' at the end of it and the children still loved it xx
Kerry Norris
Thursday 20th of October 2016
This is great. I've heard a lot of good things about clearwell caves and they aren't too far from me x
Rachel
Wednesday 19th of October 2016
Wow so many options to see Santa, he doesn't half get about!
Emma
Wednesday 19th of October 2016
This is fab! We were wondering about what to take the children this Christmas, so will have to check some of these out.
Gill Jacob
Tuesday 18th of October 2016
Great post with lots of useful information x Will send on to friends back home should they need some tips x