As Christmas tunes come on in every shop and front yards start twinkling, kids will be clambering to know when they can see Santa. Even if you’re someone who finds the concept of Christmas in November reprehensible, the reality is most Santa’s Grottos sell out very quickly. Better to be safe than sorry - that’s why we’ve collected our top ten picks for Santa’s Grottos in and around Oxfordshire.
We Wish You a Merry Crypt-mas
When: Weekends from Nov 26th/27th - Dec 17/18th, and Dec 21st - 23rd.Where: Oxford Castle & Prison - 44-46 Oxford Castle, Oxford OX1 1AY
What: Take an elf-guided tour of a 900-year-old crypt, make reindeer food to take home, decorate a Christmas bauble, then finally meet Father Christmas himself and receive a wrapped gift. At 45 minutes long and including a variety of activities, this is one of the best value experiences on the list.
How Much? 1 child + 1 adult is £18, then an additional £3/adult and £15/child - some family discounts available.
No, Mr Claus, I Expect You to Dine.
When: Grotto: Dec 1st - 24th. Tea or Breakfast: Dec 3rd - 23rd.Where: Bicester Avenue, Oxford Rd, Bicester OX25 2NY
What: Not one, not two, but three ways to spend some time with Santa at this lovely garden centre. There’s a traditional Christmas Grotto, where children can meet Santa and collect a gift on the way out, but there are also options for breakfast or afternoon tea with Santa as well (still including a gift, of course!), for something a little different.
How Much? The Grotto is £10/child - adults and babies go free so long as accompanied by a paying child. Breakfast or Tea is £13.95 per adult or child.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Millets
When: Weekends from Nov 12/13th - Dec 17/18th, then Mon-Fri 19th-24thWhere: Millets Farm Centre, Kingston Road, Frilford, Oxfordshire, OX13 5HB
What: One of the more spendy options on this list, Webbs Garden Centre at Millets Farm aims to impress. Expect singing, dancing, games with the elves, cookie decorating, reindeer food making, and festive-photo-with-Santa-taking fun. Kids will also get to choose a toy to keep from the Workshop, and you will take home a bamboo cookie plate to commemorate your visit.
How Much? Family ticket bundles start at £25.50 for 1 child and 1 adult. Supplemental tickets are £4.50/adult, £17.50/child, and £6.99/baby
Steaming of a White Christmas
When: Weekends in December from 3rd/4th to 17th/18th, then the 21st-23rd.Where: Didcot Railway Centre, DIDCOT, Oxfordshire, England OX11 7NJ
What: Round up all of Santa’s Reindeer across the centre’s 21-acre property, using the Railway’s central line - with a 1932 engine - before kicking back in the giant Toy Workshop and spending a little quality time with Father Christmas himself. With unlimited steam train rides, this is a unique and dazzling adventure, set a few hours aside for this one and let their imaginations run wild!
How Much? £20/adult and £25/child, free for children under 1.
Carol of the Beale’s
When: Daily from Nov 25th - Dec 24th.Where: Lower Basildon, Pangbourne, Reading RG8 9NW
What: Beale’s 40-acre wildlife park along the River Thames makes a fantastic family day out, with lots of hands-on animal encounters and friendly and educational staff. Through December, Beale’s are running their Wild Christmas event, in which participants can step into a winter wonderland, write a letter to Father Christmas at their alpine lodge, and journey on their reindeer railway. Additionally, there is a Santa’s Grotto where children can meet Santa, feed his reindeer, and learn further facts about reindeer’s lives.
How Much? Wild Christmas £14.50/adult, £11.50/child/concessionary ticket, Santa’s Grotto Add-on £8/child. Under-twos go free.
Norbert the Westgate Reindeer
When: 1st-24th of DecemberWhere: Westgate Shopping Centre, Oxford OX1 1TR
What: In addition to meeting Santa and taking home a wrapped gift, kids can meet a live reindeer called Norbert and hear his life story, plus make their own reindeer food for Christmas Eve. Westgate’s Believe Christmas Grotto is a reliable and popular option year after year.
How Much? £13.75/child and £6.05/Adult - incl. booking fee.
Frosty the Snow-Ham, aka Christmas at Hogshaw Farm
When: Every weekend from Nov 26th/27th - Dec 17th/18th, then daily Dec 19th - 24th.Where: Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park, Claydon Road, Hogshaw, MK18 3LA
What: Hogshaw Farm has it all this Christmas. Meet some real reindeer, decorate a biscuit, make reindeer food, play with festive elves, and finally meet Father Christmas on his big red tractor and receive a special gift. Tickets also allow for unlimited playtime at the farm, including the indoor soft play area, so we’d advise you to arrive early and make a day of it! There’s also a cafe and mini Christmas market, so adults won’t be bored either.
How Much? £12.95/adult for a day ticket, £21.95/child (1-15yrs) for a day ticket, £9.95/participating under-1s, non-participating under-1s are free.
Turkey with Cranberry, Santa’s in Banbury!
When:Saturday, December 10th, 10am - 4pmWhere:Banbury Cricket Club Ground, White Post Road, Bodicote, Banbury OX15 4BN
What:A festive day of delights at Banbury Christmas Fayre and accompanying Santa’s Grotto.Think hot drinks, face painting, glitter tattoos, crepes and waffles, family games, many independent stalls to explore - and of course, Father Christmas himself. Tickets are selling quickly, so be sure to book ahead for this one!
How Much? £2/entry to the Fayre and then £8/per child for Santa’s Grotto (includes gift)
Fairytale of Chipping Norton
When: Weekends Dec 3rd/4th and 10th/11th, then daily from Dec 12th to 24th.Where: Fairytale Farm, Southcombe, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5QH
What: Fairytale Farm is a cheerful and cosy farm nestled into Chipping Norton, and their Christmas activities roster is packed - from an elf post-sorting station, a toy maker’s log cabin, Father Christmas himself, spectacular Christmas light features, and much more.
How Much? £8.50/per adult (full experience, no present) £14.99/child (full experience with present) £6.49/child under two (full experience with present)
Cogges in Santa’s Christmas Machine
When: Weekends from Dec 3rd/4th - 17th/18th, daily from Dec 19th-24thWhere: Cogges Manor Farm, Church Lane, Witney OX28 3LA
What: Have a cosy Victorian style Christmas at Cogges Manor in Witney. Youngsters can explore the Christmas Trail and do crafts in the Manor’s kitchen, before meeting Father Christmas, taking some photos and receiving a wrapped gift. Families can also enjoy meeting the farm animals, exploring the historic grounds, and refueling in the cafe.
How Much? £10/child, £7.50/under-3s, everyone will also need a day ticket to Cogges: £9/adult, £6.00, £28/family ticket bundles for 2 adults and 3 kids