We’ve tried not to mention the “C” word until now, but with less than a month to go until the big day it’s time to think about the annual visit from Father Christmas! Already there are ripples of excitement at our nurseries at the anticipated arrival of Santa, and we can only expect this to build to a frenzy by Christmas Eve!
Lots of Christmas activities are planned over the next month, including our Christmas parties, and we’re also hoping that Father Christmas will stop by on his busy schedule to find out what everyone is hoping for in their stockings this year. If you are looking for somewhere to take the children to see Santa before Christmas, we’ve compiled a list of all the local places he is appearing. If you can add to this list, or recommend the best places to go, we would love to hear where you think the best Father Christmas is! Leave a comment at the end of this blog.
Visit Father Christmas near Pear Tree Day Nursery, North Camp
29th November – Ash Centre Christmas Fantasia: If you want to see Father Christmas this weekend the Ash Centre hold their annual Christmas Fantasia which includes a fayre and Christmas light switch on from the big man himself.
Saturdays and Sundays, and 23 & 24 December – The Wellington Shopping Centre, Aldershot: Grotto open between 11am – 4pm (3pm Sunday). It’s FREE!
Catch Santa Claus near Pebbles Day Nursery, Farnborough
Lunch with Santa, 7, 14, 21 & 28 December – Village Hotel, Farnborough:5 course carvery meal and meet Father Christmas at your table. £16.95 per adult, £6.95 per child, children under 3 eat free
Every weekend and 22, 23 & 24 December – Princes Mead Shopping Centre, Farnborough: Santa’s Grotto is free at Prince’s Mead, although donations to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice are appreciated. Visit the website for times.
10 December until Christmas Eve – The Mall, Camberley: Father Christmas will be in his grotto everyday, £4.
Find Father Christmas near Pirbright Day Nursery, Woking
Saturdays and Sundays until 21 December – Squires Garden Centre, Woking: Visit Santa for free in his grotto between 10.30am – 4pm, check times and details on website. NB. Saturday 29 November Santa will make his grand entrance, arriving by VW Campervan!
7 December – Santa Special at Mitzens Railway, Woking: Only one date left for bookings for the Santa Express! Price includes a train ride to the Santa’s Grotto and return, gift and adults receive a hot drink and mince pie!
Please check the relevant website or contact the organisers before attending any of the above events. Naturally Curious Childcare cannot be held responsible for any changes or cancellations, and prices and times may vary.
Visit Father Christmas Further Afield
If you want your visit to Father Christmas to include more of a seasonal experience, there are plenty of options in the local area.
Winter Woodland, Alice Holt Forest nr Farnham: 29th / 30th November, 6th and 7th December, 13th-24th December. Prices: £22 per child (including a £1 booking fee). All adults go free. A brand new and exciting children’s event that promises to bring back the magic of Christmas and give children an experience they will cherish forever…read more here.
A magical Christmas at Bocketts Farm, Fetcham nr Leatherhead: 27th November to the 24th December. Children will love the experience as they hop on board the Santa Express trailer for a short trip to his magical haybarn workshop. Once inside, each child will meet Santa and receive a wrapped gift! Voted as one of the top 6 places in the UK to see Santa by ‘The Guardian’…read more here.
Lapland UK, Whitmoor Forest, Ascot, Berkshire: 29th November-24th December, 2014. Prices from £49.50 – £79.50 per person, plus booking fees. LaplandUK is an immersive theatrical experience for the whole family. Price includes personalised invitation to every child from Father Christmas by post, child elf passport, all activities, ice skating, personalised meeting with Father Christmas and luxury soft toy per child over 12 months…read more here.
Traditional Father Christmas Grotto at Milestones Museum, Basingstoke: 13, 14, 20 & 21 December. £3.50 per child, plus entrance tickets to the museum. Children can enjoy a visit to speak to Father Christmas in his traditional grotto located in our Victorian Railway station waiting room. You and your children can meet Father Christmas for 10 minutes and he will give each child a gift…read more here.
These are just a few of the many visitor attractions in the area that have Christmas activities for little ones over the next few weeks. Please let us know your recommendations and tell us where the best Father Christmas is!