Where are you taking DCs this year to see Father Christmas?

[Myhensareladies]

We have done lots of our 'local' places over the years and trying to find somewhere a bit different this year.

As above really and if you've been before how would you rate it?

Harrods.

We were in the very last group of people they opened bookings to, and there were still loads of midweek dates left, so it might be worth a try still.

The Father Christmas was lovely last time, and when he asked where we'd come from, he knew loads of local places and towns - very impressive.

My 10 year old loves it because of the Mr Bean Christmas episode.

We go across the road to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park afterwards - they have a free Santa who is terrific, and you can take your own photos. Then we do Oxford Street etc. to see the (admittedly slightly rubbish) lights, and Hamelys shop window.

A garden centre. It's very popular and all decent tickets sold out really quickly (30 tickets every half hour, 10-6 I think each day, from beginning of December). We managed to get tickets for midday 23rd.

They have elves who take you round and the kids make stuff; reindeer dust, decorate cookies, decorate a sabra stop here sign...that Dort of stuff. Then they visit Father Christmas, who has everyone sit round a fire whilst he chats to them. One by one the presents drop down from the fireplace, it's quite magical!

Hopefully we will go out for a late lunch and then a walk through Knowle Park in Sevenoaks to see the deer too.

We tried for Harrods but we wanted a specific day as we're travelling down to see Peppa Pig Live (think of me) and unfortunately it wasn't available. Never mind. We're trying out Becketts Farm, which is a local one that a few mums have recommended to me. Santa comes down the chimney!

We usually go to Holkham Hall which is a nice experience (used to be better before it got as big as it is now).

This year we are going to Thursford - not for the very tacky looking 'spectacular', just to see FC.

We see him on a steam train - train obsessed DC!

I think it is really good, kids get a gift and a drink, adults get wine and a mince pie, FC walks down the train to see everyone, you get to have a nice ride instead of queuing individually for your turn - it's a nice atmosphere. We've been on several in different parts of the country, and they all have seemed to make a big effort - and not be overly commercial.

National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield. Never been, but it has a good reputation locally. Still in W Yorks, but the Kirklees Light Railway does a brilliant Santa experience.

It's our first Christmas in Sussex (well our second, but we moved just before Christmas last year so did all the run-up stuff in our old house) and we're thinking of Drusillas. Has anyone been? We went to the national railway museum in York a couple of years ago and that was really good, although my son was a bit young to appreciate it.

we are doing Longlet this year, never been before - its expensive but its Christmas obsessed dd birthday treat.

im offering up many gifts to the gods of no rain for the day!

We've done:
Santa at various garden centres
Santa safari at West Midlands safari park
Santa at Telford snowdome
Santa at Black Country museum
Santa at wonderland Telford
Santa on the severn valley railway

The best santa was at wonderland and the best overall experience was the snow dome.

This year we are going to Hawkstone follies in Staffordshire. They illuminate them in the evening and take you out in a landrover to the caves where there are some elves and santa waiting.
Hoping it'll be good!

peaz Fri 26-Sep-14 06:34:45#

sonds great cna you share where is

We will be doing the Santa Special at Grosmont - lovely train ride then the elves come and take you to Santa. This will be the first time we take our two.
Have done the Polar Express as well - but that is very expensive for over 2's!

We did Longleat last year but after Christmas as DC were ill on our original date and we swapped the day. It was great and very quiet, no queue for the boat and safari. The DCs loved the house, a wonderful surprise. I would definitely consider going back this year but fancy something a bit different.

beyondrepair I'm not sure where peaz is talking about the description fits the grotto at Ruxley garden centre in Sidcup Kent. We go every year and it's great. They have an ice rink too. But tickets are pretty much sold out for December.

ruxley grotto

A garden centre for breakfast with Santa. Breakfast is followed by cookie decorating, a disco with the elves, 1:1 time with santa, a gift and then 30 mins soft play. I'm so very excited! I can't stand the idea of standing in a queue with 3 yo dd in a shopping centre so wanted to book. We did a steam train activity last year which was lovely but expensive for what it was. It was her first time meeting santa though. Breakfast is only costing £26 for all 3 of us and does include a full English for me and DH too. I'm saving the snow dome for next year

We're going to chessington garden centre and drusillas. Think the village will have a Christmas party too

I am going to ruxley too - booked the morning the tickets came out and the closest I could get to Xmas was 23 Nov!

I've been to Drusillas, kids loved it.

The village hall as usual

I am thinking of doing the steam train meet this year. For anyone who has done this before have u got any tips on what time too go? Was thinking of last train at 410 so that it starts to get dark and the Christmas light effect is better.

Should we get there earlier than our ride time? Is there other things to do??

Any tips greatly appreciated.