Santa will still visit this year - Yay! We need his spirit now more than ever and something to look forward to post-lockdown. Whether it’s the little ones very first time or your fourth visit in one month. The Grotto gets everyone excited for the big day and gives the kids one last chance to prove how well behaved they are. Rumour has it, he may even have an extra special early Christmas present for them too.
It is expected that things may be slightly different however, we assume red and white masks may be worn at all times and knees may not be sat upon. But that’s fine, by now we should all be well aware of social distancing and how to keep ourselves to ourselves so it should come easily by Christmas and won’t dampen the magic.
Combine your magical Grotto experience with a big day out, there are many fantastic locations from Zoos to historical National Trust sites that are hosting Santa, so you can really make a day of it. The amazing Flashpacking Family, have put together an extensive list of UK Grotto locations for 2020. Garden Centres are a hot spot, but also castles and theme parks will be spreading the joy with Santa visiting them all. In the very small amount of spare time he has left, he will be popping on his laptop for a virtual meet & greets too and excitingly
Here are some announced locations of where to find him this year!
Farms & Zoos
Mead Open Farm - Bedfordshire
Reindeer Centre Bethersden - Bethersden
Bristol Zoo Gardens - Bristol
4 Kingdoms Adventure Park - Berkshire
Colchester Zoo - Colchester
Drusillas Park - East Sussex
Edinburgh Zoo - Edinburgh
Paradise Wildlife Park - Hertfordshire
Willow Farm - Hertfordshire
West Midland Safari & Leisure Park - Kidderminster
ZSL Zoo - London
Banham Zoo - Norfolk
Wroxham Barns - Norfolk
Folly’s Farm - Pembrokeshire
Easton Farm Park - Suffolk
Africa Alive - Suffolk
Garden & Shopping Centres
The Olde Watermill - Bedfordshire
Oaktree Garden Centre - Berkshire
Marsh’s Farm - Essex
Burston Garden Centre - Hertfordshire
Bluewater Shopping Centre - Kent
Harrods - London
Frosts Garden Centre - Multiple
Dobbies Garden Centre - Multiple
Fenwick’s - Multiple
Selfridges - Multiple
Hamleys - Multiple
Glendoick Garden Centre - Perthshire
Woodland Walk Garden Centre - Pontypridd
Magic Alley Stratford - Stratford-Upon-Avon
Big Days Out & Castles
Bolsover Castle - Chesterfield
Eden Project - Cornwall
Bodiam Castle - East Sussex
The Snow Centre - Hertfordshire
Hever Castle - Kent
Dover Castle - Kent
Whitstable Castle - Kent
Lotherton Hall - Leeds
Belvoir Castle - Lincolnshire
The Ice Village - Manchester
Centre Parcs - Multiple
The Snow Factor - Renfrew
Chessington World of Adventures - Surrey
Alton Towers - Staffordshire
Warwick Castle - Warwickshire
Kenilworth Castle - Warwickshire
Castle Howard - York
National Trust Locations
Virtual
We hope you have a magical Christmas Grotto experience, wherever you may end up and if you have spotted Santa somewhere else? Let us know!
In this ever-changing climate, we are unable to guarantee that all the above will still go ahead after recent announcements of a second lockdown, so do check their websites first before you head off.
*Above details correct at the time the of publishing, please check before you travel in order not to disappoint the little (or big) people.