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Santa / Father Christmas recommendations in Kent / East Sussex

22 replies

NeverNic · 20/08/2015 09:14

Does anyone have any recommendations? I know a lot of them go on sale very soon. TIA

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Cherrypippin · 24/08/2015 15:13

Last year Penshurst Place did a fabulous Narnia inspired grotto, really magical. Tickets aren't on sale yet but it's now advertised on the website so I imagine they'll go on sale soon.

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vestandknickers · 24/08/2015 15:16

My favourite is the Ashdown Llama park. Tastefully done and they have real reindeer !
There's a nice cafe too for a bit of lunch.
Leeds castle is good too.

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RatOnnaStick · 24/08/2015 15:19

RHDR do a Santa Special. Also The Rare Breeds Centre usually do one though the details are not up yet.

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RatOnnaStick · 24/08/2015 15:20

And the Reindeer Centre at Capralama Farm is quite good.

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NeverNic · 26/08/2015 12:53

Thank you. Some great suggestions here. Cherrypippin - is the Narnia theme quite grown up? My son is only 3.5 but Penshurst is really close to me...

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MargaretHale · 26/08/2015 14:52

We went last year when da was 2.5 and he was terrified but I loved it! I thought it was very well done- more meaningful if he's actually heard the marina story or seen the film though, otherwise it's fairly incomprehensible- you climb through a wardrobe into a forest etc! Brook side garden centre in east Peckham is supposed to be amazing but all the weekend slots sold out within three days of starting to sell tickets last week, so only good if you're free on weekdays now.

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NeverNic · 28/08/2015 10:45

In that case I might give Penshurst a miss. My son can be a bit of a wuss. Hmm Has anyone done Polehill or Groombridge?

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Celen · 28/08/2015 10:52

Ooh following with interest, thanks OP Smile

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Loolah · 01/09/2015 00:56

I too am interested, as have been looking to take DD6 : Leeds castle, Hop farm and the reindeer Centre. I may have a look at Penshurst and Groombridge

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sleepyelectricsheep · 01/09/2015 01:06

Also place marking :)

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 01/09/2015 08:46

Does Deal Castle still do Santas Grotto?
We went when our DC were 4 and 1.6yo ( years ago)

Also look at Steam Railways. They do special Santa Expresses (and our DS loved them when he was little)


Makes me whistful for small DC , our teens don't want to do these things now Grin

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Wilberforce2 · 05/09/2015 14:19

I always like Ruxley Garden Centre but they are having major issues with their website at the moment and have suspended ticket sales until the 15th, worth waiting for though. Polhill is ok nothing amazing and the staff there a couple of years ago were seriously miserable! I will probably go back to Ruxley this year as my ds always has a great time.

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Reastie · 05/09/2015 19:02

Have heard very mixed things ant polhill so not sure about them. We went to hever castle two years in a row and thought it was good. The first year we had a wonderful Father Christmas but the second year the Father Christmas was slightly over dramatic and a bit too much for a timid dd. they had a lovely snow bit you walk through to get to Father Christmas though and it was a lovely little trip out. They had a carousel by the castle and a snow machine in the courtyard in the castle. I've been trying to get Ruxley tickets but as previous poster mentioned sales are having issues.

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lilyheather1 · 08/09/2015 14:07

Tickets for Penshurst Place go on sale on Monday I think. We missed out on tickets last year, excited to go this year (fingers crossed)! Kent always seems to do quite well with Grottos! has anyone been before?

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Zorion · 08/09/2015 21:02

We did hop farm last year, it was pretty awful, although the Father Christmas was nice. The rest of it was rubbish. I like the look of Penshurst but DS will only be 2.5 so maybe too young still?

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Biggles398 · 14/09/2015 11:50

Zorion, did the santa there know you lo names etc before you turned up at the hop farm or was it just a generic visit?

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andrealondon8545 · 16/09/2015 15:28

I was pretty underwhelmed with Polehill, we have done Ruxley which was good and booked for Penshurst place this year. Hever castle is also meant to be really good and tickets went on sale there this week.

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Pigleychez · 19/09/2015 22:44

arghh. I cant believe so many places are sold out on weekends already! I thought looking now was being organised :(

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Littlemousewithcloggson · 20/09/2015 09:47

Never been to Penshurst and too far for us (unless we make a weekend of ) but SIL has booked for this year and said she couldn't get the times she really wanted even though it was less than half hour since tickets go on sale. Think it's all sold out now. Am guessing it must be as popular as Harrods! Is it really good?

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Littlemousewithcloggson · 20/09/2015 09:48

Am very happy with our Kew Gardens and Lapland uk booking - but there's always next year to think about!

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Zorion · 20/09/2015 20:42

Biggles I don't think he did, but DS was only 1 so I wouldn't have noticed such an important detail at the time! He was very lovely to him and they had a long "chat" which was sweet given DSs age and his being clueless about the concept.

We've decided to go for Kew Gdns this year.

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CarolinePennington · 03/10/2017 13:04

The Father Christmas at Tunbridge Wells Ice Rink is always excellent with a photo and present included in the price.

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