A trip to the English capital at Christmas is a special experience and if you asked a child who they love more than anybody during the month of December, they’d probably say Father Christmas.
Such is the build-up for the day when the Man In Red heaves his ample body down the chimney that kids are virtually at fever pitch by the time Christmas eve arrives.
Father Christmas represents something magical and wondrous and innocent… so it’s up to mums and dads to keep the excitement alive by sorting out plenty of encounters with quality-controlled Mr Claus’s.
Here are the best places to meet him in London this festive season:
1. Santa’s Reindeer Lodge, London Zoo
Entry to zoo + £5 per child for the “Meet Santa” experience: Visit Santa in his custom-designed grotto built in a fairytale setting — and enjoy meeting his reindeer herd. Each child will receive a special gift and there is a chance to buy a photo.
2. Harrods Christmas Grotto, Harrods, Knightsbridge
£10 booking fee: Harrods Christmas Grotto is a legendary, magical event. The daddy of all grottos, tickets for which sell like hot mince pies long before the festive season really starts. Book early (but beware the booking process is beyond complicated).
3. Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Selfridges, Oxford Street
£3 per child, £7 per adult (plus £2.50 booking fee): Journey over ice-capped bridges, visit the wish fairy and play in real snow. Receive a gift from Santa in his spectacular ice-grotto and dodge snowballs from the cheeky snowman on the way out.
4. Father Christmas’s Grotto, Kew Gardens
Included in admission price £13.90, £11.90 concs, accompanied under-17s free: The grotto, in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, is one of many festive attractions, including a carousel on Kew Palace Lawn (£2) and seasonal face painting at Climbers and Creepers (£4).
5. Meet Father Christmas, Hamleys (Regent Street)
£45 per child: A chance to have breakfast, brunch, lunch or tea with Father Christmas! Elves welcome guests, who enjoy scrumptious food, Christmas activities and a chat with Father Christmas, as well as a gift to take home.
6. The Enchanted Christmas House, London Art House
£49 per person or £159 per family: Journey through The Garden of Winter Wonder, The Gingerbread Kitchen, Mrs Claus’s sitting room, Santa’s Grotto, The Busy Elves Workshop. Also included, a Christmas play and a festive meal.
7. Lapland UK, Bewl Water Estate, Kent
£44.50-£62.50 plus booking fee: Visit Santa’s toy factory to help the elves and Mother Christmas’s Kitchen to decorate gingerbread — and enjoy a special meeting with the man in red (with gift). Other fun includes ice skating and meeting Santa’s reindeer and huskies.
Further Afield
These are some other top locations to see Santa in England:
Meet Santa & His Reindeer, Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable, Bedfordshire
Entry to zoo + £5 (free for under 2s): Visit Santa in his grotto in the zoo’s parklands. Children get to meet real reindeer, share their Christmas wish-list with Santa and receive a special gift to take home.
North Norfolk Railway Santa Specials, Sheringham
From £13 (plus £2 admin charge): Depart from Sheringham station and travel by steam train while tucking into sherry and mince pies for adults and biscuits and drinks for kids. By his open fire at Weybourne station, Santa meets the children and gives them each a special present before the return journey.
Santa’s Christmas Wonderland, Paulton’s Park, Romsey, The New Forest
£21: Journey into a magical world of fun and song, with adorable animated characters mingling with you in an enchanted snow scene. Children meet Santa Claus and receive a present. Ticket includes entrance to Peppa Pig World and many of the park’s rides.
* Please note, prices and locations are subject to change.
Related articles:
• Top tips for visiting Lapland for the first time
• Best Christmas markets to visit in Europe
