WHEN it comes to Christmas, let’s face it, the kids want to see Santa.
But a grotto doesn’t have to be inside the traditional shopping or garden centre – has found 15 of the whackiest, but also cute and fun ways to see Father this year.
There are plenty of quirky places to meet Santa like the exotic Eden ProjectCredit: The Eden Project
You can venture through a dome that has highs of 35C
London Eye
For the first time, Santa and his elves will take to the skies on the London Eye this year and will set up his grotto 135ft in the air.
Kids will be entertained by some of Santa’s crew like the Gingerbread Baker, Toy Maker’s Apprentice, Santa’s Head Elf or the Nutcracker.
There will be festive games, activities and a sweet treat or two before you’re led to the London Eye grotto pod where Santa and his elves will be waiting.
Not only will everyone get to meet Santa, but you also get incredible views across the capital.
A Santa in the Sky Experience at the London Eye is bookable online from £79pp.
Zip World, Llechwedd
has huge zip lines, deep caverns 500 feet below the surface for exploring, underground mini golf, trampolining and now, Santa’s grotto is there too.
Families can catch a train to this underground Victorian slate mine in Wales to find Santa in what they call Zipmas .
Boarding the train you’ll get a complimentary mince pie and mulled or hot chocolate and head into the wintery wonderland.
You’ll discover Santa’s workshop, a light maze and even see a story-time projection.
There’s also crafting and snacks available above ground too – tickets start from £24pp.
Santa has set up his grotto in a former underground mine in WalesCredit: Unknown
Groudle Glen Railway Santa Trains, Isle of Man
For train fanatics and fans of the festivities – hop onboard the Groudle Glen Railway’s enchanting Christmas Trains .
You’ll steam through the twinkling glen to Santa’s cosy grotto, where every child receives a special gift from his workshop and can meet his elves for a photo souvenir.
There’s plenty of hot chocolate to warm yourself up as well as mince pies, and other seasonal delights as Christmas music fills the air.
Slots for the Santa Train are on the 13-14 December and 20-21 December.
Tickets cost £10.50 for adults, and £9.50 for children between 0-15.
If your pet dog fancies going along too then they can for an additional £1.
The Wave, Bristol
Who says that meeting Santa has to take place on land? At The Wave in , you can meet him on the water.
While The Wave is usually used for keen or amateur surfers, Santa will also make an appearance there later this month.
On the weekends December 7-8 and 14-15, as well as December 20, 23, 24 – there will be a grotto in the Clubhouse.
Not only will he be there to listen to the children’s wish list, but he might even nip out for a cheeky surf.
A 30-minute slots cost £15 and includes a downloadable digital photo and a special Wave gift.
York’s Chocolate Story, York
Blending the thrill of chocolate and Christmas is fun for any child (and frankly, adults too). And at York’s Chocolate Story they do exactly that.
Families can join elves on a festive guided tour to discover the secrets of chocolate-making – not to mention sampling a few along the way.
Santa will join you along the way and then you’ll even make a stop at Santa’s very own chocolate workshop.
Kids can enjoy a meet and greet with him and create their own chocolate treat to take home.
Adults aren’t forgotten either and get a hot chocolate along with their own gift.
Tickets for adults and children (between 5-15) are £27.50, under twos go in for free.
Play a game of Monopoly Lifesized if you want a Christmas twist
Santa at Monopoly, London
If sitting in a grotto is a bit, well, dull. Then why not play a giant game of Monopoly at the same time?
The Monopoly Lifesized experience on Tottenham Court Road has had a festive makeover from the classic board game into a winter wonderland with sparkling trees, stacks of presents and festive lights.
It’s the ultimate immersive gaming experience with four giant game boards featuring 52 amazing challenge rooms.
Not to mention there will be a special guest appearance from Santa Claus for the end of game prize giving.
Tickets start from £64pp during the festive season (December 1 – January 4).
Hobbledown, Surrey
Santa has officially made it to Hobbledown in Epsom.
The popular adventure park and zoo has a new addition of Santa’s Secret Village – so you can mix your visit to see the tortoises with a North Pole experience.
A meet and greet with Santa starts from £31.50 per child, including a fully immersive journey and gift.
It also includes stay and play in Hobbledown with admission to the Outdoor Adventure Play Villages, Indoor Play Barn and animal experiences.
Santa Cruise, Poole
It seems Santa is a fan of water as for this experience he’ll sail from Poole Harbour past Brownsea Island, Sandbanks Peninsula, and Studland Bay.
Everyone onboard will get a magical experience while sipping on warm mulled wine, enjoying a mince pie – with soft drinks and biscuits for kids, and singing some festive Christmas carols.
Santa will be mingling with everyone onboard and each child will get a special Christmas present as they depart.
Tickets for adults and those between 5-16 cost £16. Tickets for children under fives cost £8.
Santa and his elves can be reached by boat in West LancashireCredit: Unknown
Sail to Santa, West Lancashire
Over in Burscough, Santa’s managed to get his hands on a private island.
At the Martin Mere Wetland Centre , visitors can paddle in their own boat over to see Santa and his elves who are busy crafting in his workshop.
Each Sail to Santa ticket includes a boat trip, visit to Santa, gift and festive crafts.
The price is £18 per child – but this does not include admission which will need to be bought separately (accompanying adults go free).
You’ll find Santa inside this stadium known for being the home of Welsh rugbyCredit: Alamy
Santa in the Stadium, Wales
Possibly one for the adults and sporting fans alike is this rugby stadium tour and Santa experience.
Visitors can walk the halls of the Principality Stadium , the home of Welsh rugby, before stepping into a winter wonderland where Santa will be waiting with a gift for the kids.
On certain days, the roof and pitch will be open during the tour.
Tickets for adults are £15 and £17.50 for children aged 16 and under.
Coal Workshop, Wakefield
Santa is making a pit stop at the National Coal Mining Museum this year – possibly stocking up on coal for the kids on the naughty list.
But he’ll also be greeting families too and welcoming them into his toy-making workshop.
There’s also a festive trail where children can craft their own wooden memento as well as other crafts and activities.
The experience lasts just under an hour and at the end children will get a special gift from Father Christmas.
Tickets cost £5.50 for adults and £12.50 for children – along with a £2.40pp booking fee.
Reindeer Lodge, Mold
Heading to Reindeer Lodge is like going through a portal into the North Pole.
Visitors will be completely immersed in a story quest, first boarding a the Christmas Express before heading into an enchanted lakeside, mythical woodland and an elf village – there’s even a Magical 4D VR sleigh ride.
This year there’s also a new show along with crafts, festive food, and drinks like mulled wine, hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Tickets for anyone aged three and over cost £42.50.
Don’t forget to get your skates on after meeting Santa at the Eden ProjectCredit: The Eden Project
Exotic Christmas, Cornwall
Who says that a Christmas day out means you have to wrap up warm? At the Eden Project you can be fun and festive in a t-shirt and shorts.
During the Christmas events, the domes maintain their usual warm temperatures. The humid which can reach up to 35C, will be lit with rainbow lights behind the palm trees and waterfall.
Father Christmas will be at the Eden Project too along with his elves, and families can meet them during a 45-minute experience that’s completely immersive, with ‘theatrical surprises’ and children get a gift too.
Christmas at the Eden Project runs from Friday November 21, 2025 to Sunday January 4, 2026.
Entry to the domes for the Christmas lights between 4-8PM requires two tickets – the standard entry at £38 (for adults if bought in advance) and the specific Christmas experience which is £5.50pp.
Visiting Father Christmas also requires standard entry along with the experience ticket which is £32 – entry for one adult and one child.
There’s also an ice rink open from now until February 2026, visitors can book a general skate session which is 40-minutes long and costs £13 for adults and £10 for children.
Brighton i360, East Sussex
We all know that Santa is at home in the sky, so he’s setting up a grotto, along with his elves in the Brighton i360 glass pod.
The experience includes a 25 minute pod journey, a meeting with Santa, a gift for every child, and photo opportunities.
Tickets for adults (16+) cost £23.50, and children (4-15) cost £16.50.
Another option is for a breakfast with Santa and his elves. Alongside a full English with a juice or hot drink, kids can decorate a bauble and write a letter to Santa.
Tickets for Breakfast with Santa cost £32.50 for adults (age 16+), £21.50 (children between 4-15) and £8.50 (under four) – with discounts for locals.
For a Santa experience with a twist check out Shrek’s Adventure! in LondonCredit: shreksadventure
Shrek The Halls, London
If you’re not fussed by a typical looking Santa, then why not opt for a Shrek one?
At Shrek’s Adventure! on London Southbank, there’s a family-fun festive journey for both small children and big kids.
Shrek will have his Santa hat on and there will be a magical flying 4D bus to Far Far Away which will take visitors into a Christmas adventure like no other.
There are also nine laugh-out-loud live shows and you can also meet Gingy at Gingy’s Christmas Sweet and Greet and other familiar faces will be Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and the Muffin Man.
Standard tickets start from £21 – this includes a 70-minute interactive walk-through experience, including a magical 4D flying bus experience.
Santa and his elves will take to the skies on the London Eye this winterCredit: London Eye 
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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