Where are the proper real beardy Santas?

[GloGirl]

I ask all the local Mums I know this and they keep suggesting great local experiences (on a train, grotto in a farm etc) but what I really really want is just a really great photo to cherish of my DC with Santa. They are still a little too young for the experience to make a difference to them, I just want this meet and greet and photo for me.

My DS is going to be 2.5 and I still haven't taken him anyway because I am trying to avoid god-awful nylon Santa and his crappy wig

Where can I go North West England or Essex way? I am happy to travel a bit.

I'd like to know too. So far we've been to Westfield and Harrods. Both had big fake wigs and fake beards. The Santa in Westfield looked about 18. But the experience was really lovely and they went to a lot of effort. I wasn't too impressed witn Harrods.

DS is going to be almost 5 this year so I'd like to take him somewhere he'll really love. If I can't find anywhere new we'll go back to Westfield again.

I was very impressed with the Father Christmas at the rainforest cafe last year (and the gift was very generous).

Leeds castle in kent had fantastic proper Santas. Seen some real shockers elsewhere!

The Burleydam garden centre on the A41 in Ellesmere Port has a lovely man with a proper white beard.

Have you got a steam railway near you? We have great central railway close by and we took dd to meet santa when she was 2.5. He was so beard and real looking I actually believed! The make up was fantastic.

Not exactly Essex, but not too far out - Harrods or Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park London) are fantastic.

Really lovely, talky, huggy, Santas, with their own real beards, and accents!

The Winter Wonderland one is free too, and you can take your own photo, or pay for theirs. I can't recommend them enough, we've been going for the last 4 or 5 years.

If you possibly can, go on a weekday in early December.

A REAL beard Father Christmas is based at Millets Farm Centre in Oxfordshire - booking from September. Lovely and not too expensive - sweet song singing with elves, then the little ones make reindeer food, sometimes there's a story and then meet and greet with the man himself. About 30 mins... it's about £7 each (includes any gift from the shop at the end, so the kids get to choose what they want) and a family photo for an extra fiver, book and pay ahead of time

I think I somehow hid this thread, thanks for all the responses. Keep them coming I'd still like to find one a little nearer.

No Naff Santas for 2015!

The real Santa visits ds's school fair every year. No help to you I'm afraid, but I really do think he's the REAL thing