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Original poster

Best Santa in London - Hamleys?

9 replies

chesirecat99 · 29/09/2022 16:41

Any thoughts on the nicest Santa in Central London?

I've offered to treat DSGS this year.

Has anyone been to the Hamleys' Santa's Grotto? Is it worth it? What do you get in the "goody bag"? The minimum charge of £50 for 3 people to see Santa seems madness! I guess I wouldn't mind so much if that were for 3 children and they were all getting a goody bag but we just have the 1 DSGS.

Where else is good? DSGS 3.5 is just at that age where Santa is real and Christmas is really exciting, and young enough to believe in the magic. I feel like this is the year to really splash out before he cottons on to it being a man in a suit 😂

We did Winter Wonderland last year, which was free off-peak, and he was enthralled. It was a bit rubbish though 😂

OP posts:
Shamoo · 29/09/2022 16:45

Never been but I was looking into this and the Hamleys one didn’t have good reviews at all. I gave up in the end as I couldn’t find any with much of a decent review, so I booked Centre Parcs instead 😂

ChristmasCwtch · 29/09/2022 20:36

Hamley’s is busy and noisy. We always go in early December. I haven’t seen the Santa there though.

Selfridges Santa is wonderful. We usually get invited to breakfast there in December. I think you can book too. Harrods is also wonderful, but tickets are invite only.

The best Santa I’ve ever seen is at Lapland UK, but your little grandson is a bit young and it’s a big day out.

Have you looked at the event at The Royal Albert Hall?

Original poster
chesirecat99 · 30/09/2022 12:25

Actually, we always took the DC to see Santa at Selfridges, @ChristmasCwtch 😀

Although, I seem to remember having to trek through the slightly dishevelled bowels of the building, past the stockrooms, to get there, which wasn't very Christmassy 😂What is it like now?

The RAH story time with Santa does look quite good. I like their policy of adults go free!

OP posts:
FlounderingFruitcake · 30/09/2022 12:34

We did one at London Zoo last year where DD got to prepare some food for an animal as part of the experience. She liked it! This year we’re doing Hamleys, after school on a Thursday since all the weekends are already gone 😱 I know a few friends who did it last year and they all said DC enjoyed it. Hopefully the gift should be good as they ask what DC likes at the time of booking!

Martinisarebetterdirty · 30/09/2022 13:27

Fortnum and Mason, but you’re probably too late for this year. They do storytelling in small groups and you can take all the photos you want, totally magical and I’m sad mine are too old to go this year.

Ladymama12 · 10/10/2022 14:22

Yes must have been about 5 years ago. It was very well organised. We went into a room which was decorated on one end with a fireplace and chair... The other had tables. About 10 sets of parents and children took a seat and we were entertained by elves. It wasnt too busy in the room. They were brilliant, done tricks, actually really interested in each child. The kids made a xmas card and decorated a cookie then we all cheered as Aparently santa was flying over head. He soon came, sat at his fire place and saw the children one at a time.
Id give it 9.5/10
I think there was a beautiful Xmas tree decoration in the bag, which we still have but can't remember what else.
Ive been to harrods many times, this used to be amazing till the Disney cafe closed. I wouldn't go out of my way.
I think my favourite experience was lapland uk although a bit chaotic there was much to see and do, you could make an entire day of it, again you go round in groups. The santa here was so good best ive ever seen, so caring and kind. I think it might have actually been him!!!!
This year my daughter is 15 and i will have a new baby a few months old we'll be checking out the polar express train!
I hope you have a great time wherever you go.

Garry1992 · 24/10/2022 17:36

I’ve just booked the meet Santa experience at Hamleys for 3 people. It wa a meant for me, my partner and little boy for his first time meeting Santa. Unfortunately the page refreshed mid purchase and the date changed from December to November 22nd 2022. I am out of the country until December 20th and unable to attend the booking. I have asked for a refund , change of dates or store credit to which all is being denied ☹️

CottK2013 · 15/07/2023 22:01

Did you go to the Hamley’s grotto last year in the end? Did DC enjoy it and was the gift/goody bag they were given any good?

CottK2013 · 15/07/2023 22:02

FlounderingFruitcake · 30/09/2022 12:34

We did one at London Zoo last year where DD got to prepare some food for an animal as part of the experience. She liked it! This year we’re doing Hamleys, after school on a Thursday since all the weekends are already gone 😱 I know a few friends who did it last year and they all said DC enjoyed it. Hopefully the gift should be good as they ask what DC likes at the time of booking!

Did you go to the Hamley’s grotto last year in the end? Did DC enjoy it and was the gift/goody bag they were given any good?

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