Best Father Christmas experience in West Midlands/in general

[goooooop]

My DS will be just over 1, and whilst I know he may not be taking it all in as much as an older child, I'd still like to do something really nice for him. Any suggestions please? I don't mind travelling but if there is something in the West Midlands then that's a bonus. Thanks

Planters garden centre do a nice one. We’ve done more expensive ones like the Severn valley railway, but that was busy and involved queuing in the cold. With a very little one low hassle and well organised is more important than a particular wow.

Some of the best Santa experiences wouldn’t be suited to a 1yo because they involve extra activities such as elf workshops, story sessions and sledging. Some don’t have gifts available for children that young.
Ray’s Farm at Bridgenorth would be perfect for very young children as it was very traditional and magical yet quiet and low key.
Santa’s Grotto at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery would also be good. It has lots of twinkling lights, piles of snow and the traditional grotto set. When we went, it cost £6.50 and each child got a gift and a photograph.

We did one at Thomas land not long ago- was fairly cute and the Thomas rides were open

As someone mentioned above planters garden centre in Tamworth is great. The Santa experience usually includes visiting the North Pole post office, making reindeer food with Mrs Claus (tipping grains and glitter into a pouch) and then usual photo with Santa. You then get to pick your own gift from Santa's workshop - and there's stuff for a wide range of ages. They also do specific baby sessions. The garden centre has one of the best Christmas decorations displays I've seen, and real reindeers. We've visited for the last 3 years in a row, and it was still great even with slightly different set up due to Covid last year. From others I've looked at it's seemed pretty good value for money.

Hatton Adventure World in Warwick do a good one, and it’s a whole day out. It’s cold though, since it’s almost entirely outside!

The free Christmas activities at Resorts World near the NEC had the most convincing Father Christmas I’ve ever seen in 2019. Even DH insisted upon having a photo!