*CHRISTMAS KLAXON* Best Santa's grottos?

[HeartStarCircleSquare]

I know it is early, but in case you need to book up or anything.. any recommendations for a great magical Christmas Day out?

Oh I love this section of mumsnet makesme all cozy to know there's other nutters people like me does anyone know of a good Santa visit in South Wales? Don't think we'll be able to afford to travel elsewhere this year, I'd love to be able to go to harrods! My DS will be 7 months so it's obviously vital he's the most realistic Santa in South Wales

Bristol/ SW recommendations would also be happily recieved (and I'll be watching the South Wales tips too).
Summer Holidays are almost over and it's time to start getting excited for Christmas.

We went to Ruxley Manor last year, wasn't impressed. The activities were quite good (especially those led by twinkly women elves rather than the gormless teenagers) but Santa's large room lacked character. Santa himself wasn't great very little interaction.

For xmas fans I do think Chatsworth is a corker...I was blown away by their russian xmas display and cute little farm next door....I loved it..its a long way from us but I loved it.

Sorry wrong thread! not sure there is a grotto there but its very xmassy well done.

I've just booked Chessington. Hope it's good!

I am in South Wales. Last year we went to longleAt which was amazing but expensive and far away.
We did the ice palace at cribbd causeway the year before but I wast too impressed really.

Couple of places I have been recommended is Rhondda heritage centre do one with a hunt for Santa in the mine tunnels

Perrygrove railway where Santa comes down the chimney

Forest of Dean railway

Celtic manor and they have real reindeer.

If anyone has been to any of these would love more info to help me decide!

We wet to butlins a few years ago for the weekend before Xmas and they did a narnia grotto where you went through the wardrobe and all the fur coats into a winter wonderland with the lamppost and everything.

Worst one was our local garden centre (who his actually quite posh) and the Santa was sat behind a curtain and when we went in t was tiny and he had a spare beard hanging on a hook behind him and them the electric went out Halfway through so we were stood there I'm a dark little cupboard with a strange man!!

We also went to Tredegar house last year with the beavers. Had fairy tale characters around the place. The beavers sang carols to Scrooge in his bed!

John Lewis in cardiff is lovely 'tea with Santa' 8 and the kids get a packed lunch box, Santa reads a story and a they get a nice toy. Think the tickets go on sale in October.

Ruxley Manor tickets have gone on sale today. I've got mine but seen on facebook that a lot of dates have already gone.

Another vote for ruxley!! I had a nightmare booking mine this morning (trying to use mobile site while abroad. I moaned to DH that if we didn't get them Xmas would be ruined

But if you're in Sussex, then drusillas zoo (nr Eastbourne) do a nice grotto.

HeartStarCircleSquare The Santa train mentioned at the beginning of the post is the Bluebell Railway. We did it one year when the girls were little.

We used to live in West Sussex till recently and in previous years have done

Chessington Garden Centre plus the circus they have there over xmas.
Bluebell Railway Santa Express Train.
Chessington World of Adventures, Santa days. ( only the zoo and Sealife centre open)
Bocketts Farm.

Last year we moved 2 weeks before Xmas so our visit to Santa kind of got put on the back burner somewhat so want to make up for it this year. New places to discover now we live in Kent so will be reading this thread with interest.

Anyone scoffing that its too early to be thinking of Grotto's. Ive just checked out Ruxley Manor and there's no weekend spaces left in Dec at all!!

The black country living museum's santa walks are supposed to be good although I haven't been.