It’s that time of year where families across the country and searching for the best places to see Father Christmas. A highlight of our calendar, meeting Father Christmas is something we look forward to as a family in the run up to Christmas and something we spend so much time researching and booking.
When can you see Father Christmas in Berkshire?
Although going to see Father Christmas in December is the most popular time, events this year are starting at various times in November, giving you plenty of time to see Father Christmas before the big day.
Where to see Father Christmas in Berkshire
I thought I’d put together all the Santas Grottos and places where you can meet Father Christmas this year in Berkshire. I hope this gives you some inspiration for the festive season!
Lapland UK
Where: Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Road, Winkfield Row, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 8BD
The Lapland UK Experience – 12th November – 24th December
Lapland UK is always a dream day out for a family at Christmas time. It’s as close to Lapland as you can get without leaving the UK and from the very moment you arrive you are transported to a world of magic. Even the grown ups walk away knowing they’ve met the real Father Christmas.
You can read our review here – and see a video of our trip here too.
4 Kingdoms Adventure Park
Where: Newbury Road, Headley, Thatcham, Berkshire RG19 8JY
The Magical Christmas Adventure – Selected dates from 25th November to 24th December
Visit 4 Kingdoms for a magical adventure to the North Pole, creating special family memories for years to come. You’ll get to explore the fabulous world of the Elves before heading to Santa’s lodge for a unique private audience.
Legoland Windsor
Where: Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 4AY
Legoland at Christmas – Selected dates from 25th November 2023
Christmas with LEGO magic! With over 25 Rides, live shows and attractions for you to enjoy with the whole family. The Park is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, snow dusted trees and a sprinkling of LEGO magic!
There’s LEGO Make and Takes. a DUPLO Puppet pantomime and a live show that will leave you full of the Christmas spirit. You’ll also see Father Christmas as he roams the park on the back of his magical sleigh and can add on a visit to Father Christmas’ Cabin too.
Beale Wildlife Park
Where: Lower Basildon, Pangbourne, Reading, Berkshire RG8 9NW
Christmas Magic – 24th November to 24th December
Embark on a wild and wonderful Christmas adventure at Beale Wildlife Park. Visit Santa’s Magic Grotto, meet the reindeer, take part in festive craft activities and you can even wander along the festive trail. You can have a full day of festive fun at Beale Park this Christmas.
Chocolates for Chocoholics
Where: Lea Farm, Lodge Road, Hurst, Reading RG10 0SS
Santa’s Chocolate Grotto – Selected dates 25th November to 21st December
Make chocolate lollies, join in with Santa’s elf crafting sessions and see Father Christmas himself.
Bucklebury Farm and Deer Safari Park
Where: Bucklebury, Reading, Berkshire RG7 6RR
Father Christmas at the Farm – 27th November to 23rd December
Father Christmas is coming to Bucklebury Farm this Christmas! Enjoy a private grotto experience with Father Christmas, a present and Festive activities!
Pinewood Miniature Railway
Where: Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3AQ
Mince Pie Specials – 10 December 2023
A fantastically festive train ride experience that includes a train journey around the line whilst you look out for reindeer and other decorations, small gift for each child, mulled wine or non-alcoholic alternative and a mince pie or biscuit.
Stubbings Nursery
Where: Henley Road, Maidenhead SL6 6QL,
Breakfast with Santa – Various dates 9th to 24th December
Meet Father Christmas during a fun-filled breakfast at Stubbings Café. Enjoy a Stubbings full English Breakfast and meet with Santa. Tickets include a hot drink for the adults, juice for the children and a festive gift. The event ends with Santa reading a Christmas story to all the children.
Jakes Play Barn
Where: Yateley Road, Sandhurst, Berkshire GU47 8JQ
Santa’s Magical Grotto – 2nd to 24th December
Visit the team of elves, reindeer, and Santa, in a magical grotto experience. Play in the soft play, take a ride around the lake with the reindeer, visit Santa in his grotto, receive a gift, help the elves make a biscuit in the gingerbread factory and finish off your trip out on the farm. A truly magical experience for the whole family.
The Little Play Lounge
Where: Rectory Road, Padworth, Reading RG7 4JD
Santa Sessions – SOLD OUT
Daniel’s of Windsor
Where: 120, 125 Peascod Street, Windsor SL4 1DP
Santa’s Grotto Experience – 18 November – 24 December
Step into a winter wonderland and experience the magic of the season at Daniel’s Santa’s Grotto!
Naturally Curious Play
Where: YMCA Activity Centre, Ramptons Lane, Padworth, Reading, West Berkshire RG7 4QT
Christmas Special in the Woods – SOLD OUT
Windsor on Ice
Where: Alexandra Gardens, Barry Avenue, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 3HY
Meet Santa – Selected dates 9th to 24th December
Included in the cost of admission. There is no grotto but Santa walks around, talks to guests and poses for photos.
Hobbs of Henley
Where: The Boat House, Station Road, Henley-on-Thames, Berkshire RG9 1AZ
Santa Cruises – 16th, 19th and 20th December
Visit Hobbs of Henley for a festive, family fun cruise! The brilliant Bertie Slippers will have everyone roaring with laughter and he will be adding some magic, balloons and puppets to the children’s entertainment and Santa will be in his grotto bearing gifts for all the children. Tickets include refreshments and biscuits for the kids and a cash bar is available for the parents.
Winter Wonderland
Where: Hills Meadow car park, George Street, Reading RG4 8DH
Santa’s Grotto – 11th November – 24th December
Visit Reading’s Winter Wonderland and visit Santa’s Grotto at the same time. Every child gets a gift.
Holme Grange Craft Village
Where: Heathlands Road, Wokingham RG40 3AW
Festive Fun Day Santa’s Grotto – 25th November
Give children the chance to have a chat with Santa, check they’re on the nice list and receive a soft toy and small gift to take away. Adults visit for free, As well as a visit to the Grotto you can enjoy all of the excitement of the annual Festive Fun Day! With story times in the stable, helping with the tradition of Christingle, a Bethlehem dressing up station, toasting marshmallows around the fire, love performances, face-painting, stalls and more.
Dobbies Garden Centre – Hare Hatch
Where: Floral Mile, Twyford, Hare Hatch, Reading RG10 9SW
Santa’s Grotto – 25 November to 19 December
Embrace the festive season with a visit to Santa’s grotto this Christmas. The experience includes meeting with Santa and a special gift for little ones.
Santa’s Breakfast – 25 November to 24 December
Breakfast for the whole family plus fun activities and a special visit from Santa! A delicious breakfast, fun festive games and activities, decorate your own elf mask to take home, and then sit down with Santa before receiving a special gift.
Wokingham Winter Carnival
Where: Wokingham Town Centre
Santa’s Grotto – 26 November
Visit Santa in his grotto whilst enjoying all the fun of Wokingham Winter Carnival.
Ruby Play Cafe
Where: 414 Yorktown Road, College Town, Sandhurst GU47 0PR
Meet Santa at Ruby’s – 3 December
Visit Ruby’s to meet Santa. Your little ones will get the opportunity to meet Santa one to one and ask him what they want for Christmas. They get a gift and have the chance to enjoy a little dance to music, bounce on the bouncy castle and have some festive games and treats.
The Little Gym
Where: 31 William Street, Windsor SL4 1BB
Santa’s Grotto – 17 and 18 December
Mrs Claus & the Elves will burn children’s energy with fun, games and gymnastics in the gym before heading into the Elves Workshop for some festive toy making, sweet treats, Christmas songs with Santa, plus a very special gift for every child.
Horse and Groom Harvester
Where: Bagshot Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 9RB
Breakfast with Santa – Selected dates through December
Santa’s taking a break from his workshop this year to enjoy a delicious breakfast with little elves. Kids can enjoy breakfast, a Fruit Shoot, a chocolate treat, colouring in activities and a Santa goody bag at this festive family event for just £9.99 per child.
Ye Olde Leathern Bottel
Where: 221 Barkham Road, Barkham, Wokingham RG41 4BY
Breakfast with Santa – Selected dates in December
At Ye Olde Leathern Bottel, Santa Claus treats himself to a leisurely breakfast before he returns to the serious work of toy-making. Join him for breakfast and a gift.
Henry Street Garden Centre
Where: Swallowfield Road, Arborfield, Reading RG2 9JY
Breakfast with Santa – SOLD OUT
Dorney Lake
Where: Court Lane, Off Lake End Road, Dorney, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 6FJ
Breakfast with Santa – 16th and 17th December
Santa and his reindeer are pulling up their sleigh, and he’s inviting you and your little ones to share in the magic of Christmas at Dorney Lake.
Children will receive a visit and gift from Santa, festive table activities, Christmas cookie decorating kits, mini chocolate reindeer and a breakfast of their choice. After your breakfast, you are free to join in with festive paper crafts or wrap up warm and take a festive stroll around the lake and grounds.
The Castle Hotel Windsor
Where: 18 High Street, Windsor SL4 1ER
Breakfast with Santa – Selected dates through December
Santa Claus is visiting the hotel with a gift for every child. Enjoy a wonderful breakfast buffet during this festive morning treat.
Afternoon Tea with Santa – Selected dates through December
Younger guests can enjoy festive afternoon tea with a special visit from Santa with children’s entertainment. They will enjoy a selection of seasonal bites, both savoury and sweet in the stunning Windsor Suite.
De Vere Wokefield Estate
Where: Goodboy’s Lane, Reading RG7 3AE
Santa Afternoon Tea with The Grumpy Green Villain – Sunday 3rd December
Have an afternoon with The Grumpy Green Villain and your family. Indulge in Afternoon Tea, followed by The Grumpy Green Villain and his Christmassy Friend providing family-friendly entertainment suitable for all ages including dancing, singing and other exciting activities. All finished with a visit to Santa and a gift.
Santa Afternoon Tea with The Huggable Snowman and The Snow Queen – Sunday 10th December
Visit the Wokefield Estate to be transported to the Kingdom of Arendelle with The Huggable Snowman and The Snow Queen. Enjoy Afternoon Tea followed by The Huggable Snowman and The Snow Queen providing family-friendly entertainment suitable for all ages including dancing, singing and other exciting activities. All finished with a visit to Santa and a gift from the man himself!
Cantley House Hotel
Where: Milton Road, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1JY
Santa Afternoon Tea – Selected dates 18th to 21st December
Visit the beautiful 17th century converted barns with real Christmas trees, open fires and plenty of festive cheer for a pre-Christmas family get together. Enjoy mouth watering Festive Afternoon Tea prepared by a talented chef followed by a visit to see the big man himself in his grotto.
SEND Father Christmas Experiences in Berkshire
Dobbies Garden Centre – Hare Hatch
Where: Floral Mile, Twyford, Hare Hatch, Reading RG10 9SW
Santa’s Quiet Grotto – 8 December
Embrace the festive season with a visit to Santa’s grotto this Christmas. The experience includes meeting with Santa and a special gift for little ones. This year there are also special visits for children with additional needs.
During these visits all music is off, twinkling lights are removed or switched off and you can choose to have your child’s gift wrapped or not.
Seeing Father Christmas a little further afield
If you’re happy to travel there are so many great options a little further outside Surrey. Here are a few of our favourites:
Chessington World of Adventures
Where: Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey KT9 2NE
Winter’s Tail – 25th November 2023 to 31st December 2023 – Tickets from £30
Celebrating the magic of Christmas with some festive family fun at Chessington this Christmas! Guided by jolly elves, you’ll make your way deep into a snowy wonderland before stepping foot into Father Christmas’ charming grotto where you’ll enjoy a private audience with Father Christmas.
Then, visit the Toy Workshop where you’ll explore where Father Christmas builds all his wonderful gifts for the big day and children will even receive an early Christmas gift too. There’s also the Wild Christmas Panto, Magical Cookie Kitchen and so much more festive fun to discover.
Chessington also have Christmas sleepovers available as a fantastic festive experience too:
- Father Christmas Sleepovers 25th November – 23rd December
- Festive Sleepovers 26th December – 3rd January
Read our review of the Winter’s Tail at Chessington World of Adventures here.
Tulleys Farm
Where: Unit 1 Turners Hill Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 4PE
Tulleys Family Christmas 2023 – Selected dates from 25th November 2023 to 24th December 2023
Visit Santa’s Grotto At the Tulleys Christmas Experience. Bring your family to enjoy a magical and unique Christmas experience for all ages!
There’s a fantastic range of activities on offer this Christmas at Tulleys Farm with everything from Santa’s sleigh ride and gingerbread decorating to a Christmas circus and a reindeer flying school.
Odds Farm Park
Where: Wooburn Common Road, Wooburn Green, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP10 0LX
Christmas Spectacular – Selected dates 25th November to 24th December
Enjoy a magical stroll to the North Pole and enjoy a personal visit to meet Father Christmas! Soak up the seasonal splendor throughout the Christmas Spectacular Experience, where the Farm Park has been sprinkled with yuletide wonder and festive frivolities. With the chance to make a cuddly bear, take part in Christmas crafts and choose a present from the toy shop.
And there you have so many options of where to see Father Christmas this year. I’ll add more on as I become aware of them and if I’ve missed your favourite please do get in touch and let me know. I hope that wherever you see Father Christmas that you have a wonderful time. Merry Christmas!
If you’re looking for more festive activities in Berkshire, these posts may help:
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