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🎄 2025 Festive Family Days Out
Whether you’re looking to meet Santa, wander a woodland light trail or enjoy a family-fun farm day, here are some top Christmas experiences to bookmark! (Link each venue name below to your site with full details.)
The festive season is just around the corner — and there’s so much happening locally for families! From meet-Santa grottoes and reindeer encounters to magical light trails and winter train rides, you’ll find something for every age and every kind of weather. Bookmark these events now, because many sell out fast.
1. Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park – Christmas at the Farm
Father Christmas returns to Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park! Take a wander through the Alpine Village to find him in his big red tractor. You’ll get up close to real reindeer, enjoy festive crafts, and the full farm entry is included.
2. Whipsnade Zoo – Santa’s visit
Santa will make a special stop at Whipsnade Zoo this year. Little ones can meet him in a new enchanting grotto and receive an early Christmas gift. (More details to be announced.)
3. Shepreth Wildlife Park – Santa’s Grotto & Hedgehog Hospital support
Santa’s Grotto returns for 2025 with all proceeds supporting the SWCC Hedgehog Hospital. Shepreth, near Royston.
4. Bury Lane Farm Shop – Breakfast & Tea with Santa
Tickets on sale from Monday 29th September 2025. Melbourn, near Royston.
5. Willows Activity Farm – Santa Spectacular
A minimum 4-hour experience including meeting Santa in his grotto and enjoying a fabulous festive family day out.
6. Leighton Buzzard Railway – Santa Specials
Sunday 30th Nov and various dates through December. A magical train ride with Santa.
7. Garden House Hospice Care Festive Family Day (Letchworth) – Family Festive Day
Elf trail, Santa’s grotto, children’s activities, craft stalls, raffle, mince pies & mulled wine on Sunday 16th Nov.
8. Knebworth Barns – Dine with Santa
Join for a festive meal with Santa on 14th & 21st Dec.
9. John Lewis Welwyn – Santa Storytime
Visit Santa in his magical Christmas grotto at John Lewis in Welwyn for storytime and festive fun.
10. Burston Garden Centre (St Albans) – Santa’s Grotto
Visit Santa in his magical grotto at Burston Garden Centre.
11. Mead Open Farm – Meet Father Christmas
Meet Father Christmas for a group story and enjoy lots of festive family activities.
12. Lee Valley Adventure Park – The Santa Claus Experience
At Waltham Abbey: cheeky elves, a magical group experience of festive fun.
13. Stockwood Discovery Centre – Santa’s 2025 Visit
A 45-minute festive experience where little ones can meet Santa and explore the magical setting in Luton.
14. The Old Rectory Farm (Walkern) – Private Family Visit
Follow the magical trail to Santa’s grotto for a personal visit shared by only your family. Details not yet announced.
15. Hatfield House – Coming soon
Details for 2025 not yet announced.
16. Hertfordshire Zoo – Coming soon
Details 2025 TBC.
17. Ashridge House – Coming soon
Details 2025 TBC.
18. Foxholes Farm (Hertford) – Coming soon
Details 2025 TBC.
19. South Maltings (Ware) – Coming soon
Details 2025 TBC.
20. Aldenham Country Park – Coming soon
Details 2025 TBC.
21. Audley End Miniature Railway / Audley End House & Gardens – Christmas Special
Step into the enchanted woodland train ride from 22nd Nov to 24th Dec where kids can meet Father Christmas in his truck/carriage, write letters to him, make reindeer food, enjoy the illuminated walk and woodland play.
22. Tewinbury Farm Hotel (Welwyn Garden City) – Woodland Light Trail & Festive Dining
Outdoors: the Woodland Light Trail returns for 2025 — four times bigger and brighter, with interactive installations, story-time tent with Santa and reindeer-food making.
Plus indoor festive dining and event nights.
Have fun planning your festive family days out — and don’t forget to check back on MumsGuideToWelwyn for any last-minute updates, special offers and booking tips. Merry Christmas! 🎄
