Grottos: Your guide to where Santa's staying this Christmas

COOLINGS GARDEN CENTRE, KNOCKHOLT

IMAGINE a fairytale world of candy canes and sugar frosting that looks good enough to eat and you will have a fair idea of what the grotto at Coolings will be like.

In a couple of weeks – weekends from November 30 until December 15, and every day from December 16 to 23, to be precise – Santa will be holed up in a woodland hideaway on the Nature Trail at Coolings Green and Pleasant.

The big man made a special request to reside in a gingerbread house this year, and the guys at the garden centre have not disappointed him.

Spaces to see Santa are filling fast, so you should call Marsha on 01959 534386 to book. It costs £8.50 for children and is free for adults. The price included a family day pass to the nature trail, so you can also visit the wallabies and rare-breed pigs.

Each child will get a small gift as a memento too.

Elves will meet you at the shop and escort you along the trail. The experience lasts about half an hour, during which time you can write a list for Santa and do some Christmas colouring before meeting the man himself.

There will be photographers on hand, but you’re more than welcome to bring your own too.

POLHILL GARDEN CENTRE, BADGERS MOUNT

EXPECTATIONS for Polhill’s grotto are high this year, as it continues its massive growth from recent ears.

This year, there will be exclusive animatronics drama as well as the usual grotto experience.

On arrival, you will be greeted by elves, you’ll get a story from Father Christmas himself, the magical wonderland drama and a present to take home.

Every ticket also comes with a free hot chocolate voucher and 15 per cent off at the restaurant on the day of your visit.

Evening grotto visitors will also be able to snap up a roast for £5.

Again, spaces are filling up quick and some have already sold out so book now at polhill.co.uk/grotto or in store. It costs £9 in advance or £10 on the day. 

INTU, BROMLEY

THE Bromley shopping centre is pulling out all the stops this year, and raising a stack of cash for charity in the process.

This year’s theme is jewels, and thanks to a tie-in with Make a Wish, the centre hopes to raise as much as £25,000 for children living with life-threatening illnesses.

The central atrium will boast a giant display with a hundred trees and thousands of lights, with a contemporary feel.

Santa’s grotto will be pride of place inside a present under the main tree.

As well as meeting the big man, there will be animatronics mascots waving, and giant baubles to climb in as well as others with the capability to e-mail Santa and play Christmas games.

There will also be the opportunity to post letters to Santa and a giant pool to donate to Make a Wish.

Other decorations are all-go with a UK first four floor chandelier with ground-breaking interactive lights, giant stars and a continuation of the jewel-theme.

The lights went on last Saturday (November 9), with a family day Sunday featuring entertainment, games and performers to kick off Christmas in style.

Some fun facts about Intu’s Christmas display:
• 49,800 L.E.D bulbs
• 7,205m of cable
• 3,282 baubles
• 1,994 jewels
• 864 display weights
• 142 2D stars
• 36 3D stars

BLUEWATER

SANTA is living in the lap of luxury in an Ice Palace at Bluewater this Christmas.

The grotto is just part of the Greenhithe destination’s Winter Winterland, which is open from November 29 to January 5, and promises a dazzling outing including an ice rink, 40m snow slide, traditional rides and amusements and food and drinks.

Children from two years old will love the revamped grotto where Father Christmas and his helpers will be hard at work until Christmas Eve. They can have their picture with Santa and take home a present to put under the tree.

In the shadow of the ice palace is the real ice rink where you can escape the grey weather and slide around on skates, with all the added warmth and comfort of being indoors.

For an extra sprinkling of yuletide spirit, visitors can skate beneath the stars to a festive soundtrack.

Add to that a 40 metre snow slide which runs from the upper level to the ground floor in an inflatable snow tube. There is a smaller slide for little ones, as well as an ice climbing wall, a high ropes course, a kiddie ski play area and a 4D Christmas Cinema.

It costs £5 to meet Santa, while ice skating is £12 adults, £10 13 to 16-year-olds, £8 children 4 to 8, and £36 families.

THE WOODVILLE, GRAVESEND

SANTA is having a residency at a fun-filled show at the Studio Theatre at The Woodville in December.

Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure is not strictly a grotto, but you will get to meet Santa.

The theatre will be transformed into Santa’s North Pole HQ as the Reindeer Sat Nav is programmed, the toys are piled high on the sleigh and Santa is ready to go when disaster strikes. ..Rudolph is missing and the elves are up to no good.

Santa needs your help to find his way and will meet all the boys and girls after the show to give them a present. Don’t forget your camera.01st December - 24th December

Tickets cost £10.50 or £12.50 for adults, £8.50 or £11.50 for children and £35 or £45 for families.

Go to Woodville.co.uk

HEVER CASTLE, near EDENBRIDGE

EXPERIENCE a magical day out at the festively-dressed castle with sumptuous traditional decorations, sparkling lights and welcoming log fires.

As dusk falls, the gardens will be transformed into an illuminated winter wonderland.
The highlight will be Santa’s snow-dusted grotto, where Father Christmas appears each day to collect his post.

Go to hevercastle.co.uk

BROADWAY, BEXLEYHEATH

SANTA is in residence at a fairytale-themed castle grotto the Broadway Shopping Centre in Bexleyheath this Christmas.

Every day until Christmas Eve, you can take your kids along and they’ll get a gift as well as the chance to meet Father Christmas – all for £3. All proceeds go to Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice.

Go to broadwayshoppingcentre.com

MILLBROOK GARDEN CENTRE, GRAVESEND

GET set for some magic at the Station Road garden centre where children of all ages will love the winter wonderland where they can meet Santa in his grotto and receive a gift.

The grotto opens November 16 until Christmas Eve and costs £2 adults and £10 children. Children must be accompanied and there is a maximum of two adults per child. Millbrook family members can book for £8.

Book ahead on 01474 331135 or go to millbrookgc.com