Help. santa in south east

[alltheworld]

Yet again I have left it late to book and am restricted to weekends in December but keen to go somewhere and make a day of it. Suggestions gratefully received.

Have you thought of the Santa specials on local steam railways? Spa Valley Railway and Bluebell Railway both do them.

Excellent idea! The only reason I haven't before is because I had the impression that the kids don't get an individual slot with santa!

Bluebell railway and ashfown forest llama park both spring to mind

Plenty of garden centres offer grottos

Drusillas

We often go to a local Garden Centre which has a lovely grotto. It's just outside Henley if that's anywhere near you. We are going somewhere different this year though.

Which garden centre is that juanbablo?

How about Thursford?

There few garden centres near me which have a nice Father Christmas. Henry Street Garden centre in Wokingham has reindeer, which is nice.
Oak tree garden centre in a infield has a nice santa and you decorate a biscuit with Mrs Clause before seeing the man himself
And if your children are still
Young enough for Odds Farm in Beaconsfield, the children see santa,, make a reindeer toy (like build a bear) and then go in to Santas workshop and chose their own toy from hundreds on offer

Oh and there's LegoLand. Which I a bit dearer but you can make a day of it and you get a lego gift

Where abouts in the South Easy are you?

Godstone Farm has a Father Christmas and you can spend the day there.

The Santa specials are good but you are correct in that the children don’t get to chat with him as he walks along the carriage handing out his gifts.

If you went to see the Harrods Father Christmas
you could spend the day in London and go ice skating at one of the outdoor rinks.

Reindeer centre in Bethesden (just outside Ashford) don’t do booking except Christmas Eve. You just turn up and join the queue. reindeer centre

Toad Hall bala. Small grotto but nicely decorated and lovely santa.

We are going to Millets Farm which is meant to be really fun but I know it sells out fast.

Ruxley Manor Garden Centre?

Amberley Working Museum?

The Hever Castle one is fantastic, the year have a Christmas trail in the gardens which is so beautiful (and free if youve paid to enter the grounds iyswim!)

Santa’s grotto is lovely and you get a one to one with the main man.

If you can, go as it’s getting, or after dark as the lights are amazing.

Sorry, you need to book and you pay extra for the Santa visit if you want that too

Thanks, keep meaning to go there so may try and tie that in!

The museum of London at St. Paul's and at the docklands do a Victorian themed Father Christmas grotto in December only.

www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london/whats-on/grotto

Bocketts Farm, near Leatherhead, is amazing to see Santa. We've been for the last 4 or 5 years.

Rural life centre in Farnham.
Steam train to Santa. Elves take you through a barn with old fashioned model Lego city and small jams and chutney shop while you wait your turn to visit Santa’s workshop, make a toy decoration, play with old fashioned toys, see the reindeer and othe animals. Then mother Christmas greets you and takes you in to see the Father Christmas. A great looking Santa and you get a great gift. Admire the decorations in the woodland as you steam engine back to the car park.

It’s quaint, lovely and very Christmassy..

Update. Thanks for all the suggestions. Such a lot of good ideas. In the end we went for Fishers farm because it had availability, a bit of an experience and a day out.

We would have done fishers but they pissed me off too much with the price. We pay an obscene amount of money for membership and it still would have been over £100 for the panto and to see santa. Bastards. I bet your dc will love it, they really do have the real santa there

Yes, you are right it is pricey.... I was in a bit of last minute panic and as there was a Panto thought of killing two birds. I have only been once before in the summer and liked it.