Christmas: The Best British Grottos
A visit to Santa is the stuff that childhood memories are made of - not to mention a perfect photo opportunity for the family album. We've scoured the country for the best grottos to visit this Christmas.
 Lincolnshire
For the second weekend in December, Lincoln is turned into a Christmas wonderland with a massive traditional Christmas market with over 300 stalls. Lest you forget what it's all about there's a traditional nativity scene by the entrance to the log cabin that is Santa's Grotto. Expect to see real-life reindeer!
Where? Lincoln city centre.
When? 6-9 December 2007
Click here for information
London
Childhood memories of what seemed like days spent in the queue to see Father Christmas at Harrods are apparently a thing of the past. A new online booking system means that kids will only have 30 minutes to wait before being ushered into the bearded one's presence. The good news is that the Christmas grotto is free. The bad news is that at the time of going to press all the weekend tickets had already been allocated.
Where? Harrods, Knightsbridge, London
When? 3 Nov onwards
Click here to book tickets.
Norfolk
The Christmas Spectacular at Thursford is now the largest Christmas show in England, featuring carols, dancing and a nativity show with a cast of 100. Catch the show and then pop in to see Santa in his grotto, just past the Elf Village.
Where? Thursford, Norfolk
When? 17 November - 23 December
Click here for tickets
Tickets: £12 per child, includes present.
Somerset
Where better to seek out Santa than in the largest Christmas grotto in the West? Santaland at Wookie Hole Caves features elves, magical characters and real reindeer!
Where? Wookie Hole, Somerset
When? 24 November - 24 December
Click here for tickets
Tickets: £12.50 per person.
Surrey
Tickets for the Christmas Grotto at Painshill Park go like hot mince pies and it's easy to see why. The man himself is esconced in an 18th century crystal grotto which you get to by finding Grotto Island and a Christmas wishing tent.
Where? Painshill Park, Cobham, Surrey
When? 1-24 December 2007
Click here for tickets
Adults £7, children £8.50.
Sussex
A vintage steam train is the mode of transport to visit Santa in his secret winter garden at this long-standing Christmas grotto. This is a very traditional, magical grotto - don't forget to stop by the printing press on the way out to print out your 'Santa Stop Here' poster for Christmas Eve.
Where? Amberley Working Museum, Sussex
When? Weekends from 8-23 December 2007
Click here for tickets
Tickets: £6 adults, £7 children.
Wales
Santa's grotto is the latest addition to Cardiff's Winter Wonderland which gets bigger and better each year. The grotto will be situated inside a 50 foot tree structure where children will be able to present their lists to the man in red in person. Afterwards you can get rid of any excess energy on the huge skating rink.
Click here for tickets
Family ticket £20.
Wiltshire
Westonbirt Arboretum's Enchanted Christmas illuminates over a mile of trees making a magical backdrop for festive fun. There's no Santa's Grotto - but children will be able to meet St Nick as he wanders around the courtyard. Choirs are on hand to deliver the right musical tone and on 30 November there will be reindeer as well.
Where? Westonbirt Arboretum
When? 30 November - 23 December 2007
Click here for more information.
Adults £7, children £3.
Yorkshire
The Christmas Adventure at Stockheld Park gathers momentum every year. The 2007 experience promises an enchanted, illuminated wood, snowflake maze, cross-country ski trail, eco skating rink as well as a traditional grotto where you can meet Father Christmas face to face.
Where? Stockheld Park, Wetherby, Yorkshire
When? 20 October - 27 January (closed for three days at Xmas).
Click here for more information.
Prices for grotto only £4.
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