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Where to see Santa in Hertfordshire 2021
I know, I know its only October but if you havent yet booked anywhere to see Santa you may wish to get a wiggle on. Some of the most exclusive and big ticket attractions have already sold out, September it seems is the new December and you need to be on the ball to secure a spot. With that in mind we have put together a little list of places where you can see Santa in hertfordshire or close surrounds in 2021. This article is ever changing and I will remove items once I am aware of them selling out or add them if new dates are added etc.
Van Hage- Short, simple, sweet and to the point, if its a no frills visit to see the big man in red which won't break the bank then van hages is a tried and tested attraction loved by many Hertfordians. You can also soak up the atmosphere with the amazing christmas lights display, take a ride on a carousel (additonal cost) or grab a mince pie from the cafe (additonal cost). weekends in December are sold out (as are the few days before xmas) but there is still weekend availability in November or weekends (for little ones or an after school visit).
Willows Activity Farm- Santa Spectacular.
If its a big ticket full of festive day you are looking for Willows activity farm can offer you by the bucket load. With a faux ice rink, gingerbread decoration, santa letter writing, festive shows, 3D cinema , build-a-bear as well as seeing the big man in red himself and choosing a toy from his toy shop the order of the day. Its jammed packed but with childrens tickets up to £51 for a child its definately one of the most costly santa experiences. There is still good availability at the moment.
Santa at Paradise Wildlife Park
Santa has worked his magic this year and for the holiday season has made the entry ticket to Paradise even more special, with entry to Paradise including a visit to Santa himself! You will have the opportunity to meet Santa at his magical grotto and have your photo taken with Santa throughout the day. You'll be able to visit Santa every weekend starting from the 27th of November and then every day from the 18th to the 24th of December. Santa's Grotto is a first-come, first-served queuing system and we cannot guarantee everyone will be able to meet Santa on the day of your visit. All Park tickets must be booked prior to arrival. Still good availability.
Santa photo shoot at Olivia Rocco Photography
Looking for something a little difference this year? Our highlighted listing Olivia Rocco Photography hosts an amazing Santa Day every year with the opportunity to combine a festive mini photo shoot with seeing Santa himself. This is an experience we do personally every year and its a brilliant one plus the photos make lovely keepsakes. Extremely limited availability left. Sessions are £129 per family for the photoshoot, santa meet and 10 digital images.
A very popular local choice just £9.50 with all proceeds going to teens unite charity.
Breakfast with Santa at The Feathers Wadesmill
The fabulous Breakfast with Santa will be back!!
Bring the little ones for a morning of festive fun with a very magical visitor...even the big kids love it! Still availability currently.
Don't get caught out here as tickets are not all inclusive and Santa is an optional addition.
The Festive Farm Day Pass enables you to enjoy access to the farm trail, spot the cheeky Christmas Elves around the Farm, hunt for Christmas Bears & visit the Fairy Winter Woodland.
Cost £5.50 per person, under 2's free. For an additional £7.95 you can add on a santa visit in the outside winter woodland to your trip.
A real festive treat at Wardown, with a special visit from Miss Christmas and Father Christmas.
Curl up with Miss Christmas for a special story in the library before joining Father Christmas in the dining room for a special gift from under the tree. Afterwards, you'll be treated to milk and cookies with our friendly elves.Miss Christmas and Father Christmas will be at Wardown House every Saturday and Sunday from Sat 11 - Sun 19 Dec and Mon 20 - Wed 22 Dec and there will be multiple sessions available with them throughout the day.
Meet Santa at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Weekends from 20 November, then 18-24 December 2021
Book a timed slot to visit Santa in his grotto (general zoo entry still required).
On weekends and throughout the week leading up to Christmas, experience festive magic with Meet Santa at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo!
Say hello to cheeky elves before meeting the man himself! Every child who meets Santa will receive an early Christmas gift.
Meet Santa at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - Quiet Sessions
This year, due to visitor demand, we’ve introduced designated ‘quiet sessions’. These include the same experience of festive crafts, meeting Santa and receiving a gift, but with limited lights, ambient sounds and other sensory stimulation, designed especially for children with neurodiverse conditions including autism and other sensory processing difficulties. You will be able to register your interest in these sessions using the same form as for standard Meet Santa.
Knebworth House Lunch/Dinner with Santa
Lunch: 5th, 12th, 19th & 23rd December 2021
Dinner: 7th, 14th & 21st December 2021
Give your family an early Christmas treat with a fantastic lunch at Knebworth Barns, complete with a visit from Santa and a gift for every child. Pre-booking essential.
Leighton Buzzard Railway - Santa's Steam Specials
Weekends and Wednesdays 4th - 19th December, then 20th - 24th December 2021
Take a 25-minute steam-train ride over a historic narrow-gauge railway that’s more than 100 years old, and run by enthusiastic volunteers. Meet Santa at Page's Park grotto, where children up to 12 will receive an early present.
The Magic of Christmas - Mead Open Farm, Leighton Buzzard
Thursday - Sunday from 2nd December, plus 20th - 24th December 2021
Make magical memories at The Magic of Christmas at Mead Open Farm packed full of mayhem, & merriment. As well as full day entry to the farm tickets include magical Christmas walkthrough, meet Father Christmas, Elf Academy Show, Make a Bear workshop, Magical Toy Shop, decorate gingerbread and make reindeer food.
The Olde Watermill Christmas Grotto, Barton-Le-Clay, Bedfordshire
Weekends from 20th November, then Thursday - Monday from 2nd December 2021
Come and join us at The Olde Watermill Santa’s Grotto for a magical 40 minute fun-filled experience of singing, funny antics and belly laughs. Elfie Selfie will show you how to make some magical Reindeer food and teach you a very special way to send your Christmas wishes to Santa. Then it’s on to Mrs Claus’ cosy sitting room for a story and a present from Santa himself. All before exploring a spectacular snow covered winter wonderland full of magical surprises. Booking required.
Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands
13th November - 24th December 2021
There will be lots of fun in the NEW North Pole Post Office writing your letter to Santa, then Reindeer Ronnie will be on hand to greet you in the Reindeer Stables to make the all-important Reindeer food - ready to sprinkle out on Christmas Eve. Once your family has been to see the big man himself, it's onto the toy workshop, where every child will decorate a Christmas stocking and get to choose their very own special toy to take home!
The Centre:MK – Santa’s Grotto with Peter Rabbit and Friends
Visit Santa’s Grotto and step into the wonderful World of Peter RabbitTM along the way. Experience an incredibly exciting, immersive theatrical Christmas adventure, brought to life by actors playing the part of Peter Rabbit and his woodland friends.
Bletchley Park Vintage Christmas Grotto
27th November - 23rd December 2021
To celebrate the festive season at Bletchley Park, they welcome children and their families to visit the unique Vintage Christmas Grotto to meet Father Christmas! Children will have a magical meeting with Father Christmas in a beautifully decorated Mansion, where they’ll receive a lovely Christmas gift to take home.
Ones to keep an eye out for but not currently on sale
Aldenham Country Park do an amazing santas grotto experience. We visited in 2019 and loved it you can read our tried and tested here.
