Visit Father Christmas

Making a visit to Father Christmas adds that extra bit of magic to the festive season for little ones (and the young at heart). This Christmas, why not pay a visit to tell him your Christmas wishes, listen to festive stories, wander along family-friendly trails and try tasty treats?

Santa loves visiting the places we care for, because each experience is a little different. At Trerice in Cornwall you’ll find him dressed in green robes as he would have been in the Tudor-era. Or maybe you’ll meet him at Standen, where you’ll find his woodland grotto hidden among the trees?

Wherever you go, you’ll feel warm in the knowledge that every time you visit Father Christmas, you’re helping to care for these special places for Christmases to come.

Victorian Christmas Characters at Aberdulais

Aberdulais, Neath Port Talbot 

Victorian Christmas
14 & 21 December 2018

This year Mrs Claus is leading our celebrations, taking us back to the days of the Victorian tinworks for a candlelit walk to the waterfall. Settle down for a traditional festive story or cosy up in the tea-room with a hot drink and mince pie. You never know, Father Christmas might just pop in to check she’s not having all the fun.

Experience a Victorian Christmas at Aberdulais
Father Christmas and an elf reading

Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire 

Story time with Father Christmas
Weekends between 1–23 December 2018

Father Christmas invites you to join him in Beningbrough’s cosy library, where’s he’s taking a holiday in the run up to the big day. He’s looking forward to meeting everyone, and sharing a special festive story. You can also head upstairs to the Hayloft to get creative in the Artrageous workshop.

Gather round to hear Father Christmas' new story
christmas at Castle Ward

Castle Ward, County Down 

Father Christmas’ House
1–2, 8–9, 12–16 & 19–21 December 2018

Mr and Mrs Claus are looking forward to meeting everyone visiting Castle Ward this Christmas. Meet the elves and explore the beautifully decorated grotto, enjoy tasty treats in the kitchen and settle down to hear Father Christmas’s best stories. Each child will receive a special gift to get their holiday off to a great start.

Start your celebrations at Castle Ward
Father Christmas in green robes giving out presents to a group of children dressed as elves

Clent Hills, Worcestershire 

Woodland Christmas
9 & 16 December 2018

Not all of Father Christmas’ grottos are inside. At Clent Hills he’s found a cosy den in the woods, complete with fairy lights and a campfire. This year you can roam over the hills following the special Christmas trail before wending your way through the trees to find Father Christmas in his grotto, dressed in woodland green. He’ll even have an early Christmas present ready for you.

Find Father Christmas in the woods at Clent Hills
Christmas light kinver edge

Kinver Edge, Staffordshire 

Christmas at the Rock Houses
Weekends between 1–9 December 2018

Kinver Edge is full of surprises, especially during the magical festive season. Take a frosty walk across the wild heathland to discover the houses carved straight into the rock face, which will be filled with flickering candlelight. In early December one of these houses will be transformed into a cave grotto for a very special guest: Father Christmas himself. Why not pay him a visit and collect an early Christmas present?

Discover Father Christmas' grotto in a cave
Parents and children sitting on a rug by a Christmas tree and Father Christmas

Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire 

An Audience with Father Christmas
Weekends between 1–16 December 2018

It’s a busy time of year for Father and Mother Christmas, but they’ll be taking a bit of time out at the weekends to visit Lacock Abbey. Come and meet them in the festive surroundings of the Abbey kitchen, where Mother Christmas will be telling stories and Father Christmas will be handing out a gift to each child.

Start your Christmas at Lacock
Meet Father Christmas

Oxburgh Hall 

Father Christmas
8–9 & 15–16 December 2018

Father Christmas loves Oxburgh so much that he's agreed to return for two weekends before the Christmas rush begins. His elves have decorated the gatehouse especially for his arrival, so you’ll find yourself transported into a wintery wonderland where you can settle down to hear some stories and receive an early Christmas gift.

Discover the grotto at Oxburgh Hall
Father Christmas holds a book open as a little girl listens to his story

Saltram, Devon 

Story time with Father Christmas
1–3, 7–10, 13–17 & 20–23 December 2018

‘Tis the season for sitting around to hear stories, and there’s no better teller of tales than Father Christmas himself. Come along to the stables at Saltram to hear his magical stories and festive songs. On selected dates, we'll also be running special relaxed storytelling sessions designed to welcome guests who may benefit from a more informal experience, such as those with autism and sensory or communication needs.

Hear Father Christmas' festive tales
A traditionally decorated Christmas tree at Standen House & Garden

Standen, West Sussex 

Story time with Woodland Santa
Weekends between 1–16 December & Wednesday 19–Sunday 23 December 2018

There’s something magical about the woods at Standen in winter, especially when Father Christmas is visiting. Wrap up warm and wend your way through the trees to find his woodland grotto, where you can settle down and hear him tell special festive tales. There’ll be hot chocolate to help keep you warm and cosy, and you’ll even receive an early Christmas gift.

Find Father Christmas' woodland grotto
Tudor Father Christmas at Trerice

Trerice, Cornwall 

Tudor Father Christmas
Weekends between 1–23 December 2018

Christmas at Trerice wouldn't be complete without a visit from Father Christmas. He'll be paying a visit to this special Tudor manor house to share tales and traditions of Christmas past – so why not come along to hear some of his best stories? He might even have a present or two to hand out…

Meet Trerice's Tudor-era Father Christmas
Snowy scene of Father Christmas at Wicken Fen

Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire 

Father Christmas at the Fen
8–9, 12–13, 15–16 & 20–23 December 2018

Enjoy a traditional family Christmas at Wicken Fen – including a visit from Father Christmas who has turned Fen Cottage into a grotto for the festive season. Once you’ve met him, why not make a day of it by following the trail around the fen to spot winter wildlife, or have a go at some natural Christmas crafts?

Enjoy festive fun at Wicken Fen