Meeting Father Christmas at Santa’s Grotto is an experience all kids will remember into adulthood.
There are many places across the city where you can find Santa’s Grottos, but we’ve put together a list of 20 of the best Santa’s Grottos in London.
From department stores to LEGO and steam trains, we hope you and your family find the perfect Christmas experience.
Christmas Grottos: what to expect
The Christmas grottos all involve meeting Father Christmas and receiving a special gift.
It’s a beautiful opportunity for a Christmas family photo, too, often with Santa himself.
Some experiences allow you to have professional photos taken to really keep hold of the memory.
Hamleys Santa’s Grotto
Soho, W1
From £55.00: Hamleys Santa’s Grotto
Hamleys is one of the most famous toy shops in the world, so it’s no surprise that it has an equally popular Santa’s Grotto every year. At the experience, children can enjoy festive activities, meet Santa, and receive a gift bag. You are welcome to take your own photos or purchase professional photos from Hamleys.
How to book Hamleys Santa’s Grotto
Book £55.00 for entry of 3 people throughout November and December online at Hamleys. This experience sells out quickly, so book early.
Meet Santa at London Zoo
Regent’s Park, NW1
Book from £17.50: Meet Santa at London Zoo
While visiting the London Zoo during Christmas, the kids can meet Santa. The experience includes a craft session and receiving a gift. There’s also an option to book a tour of the Zoo.
How to book Meet Santa at London Zoo
Book tickets from £17.50 for dates throughout December online at the London Zoo website. To enter the zoo, you must have a valid Zoo ticket in addition to a Meet Santa ticket.
Santaland at Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park, W1
Book from £2.00: Santaland at Winter Wonderland
Santaland is part of the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. It has kid’s rides, festive food, and a Santa’s grotto where you can meet Santa. Children will also receive a gift from Santa. You will also have the chance to see Santa’s Parade on certain days.
How to book Santaland at Winter Wonderland
Santaland is part of the entry to Winter Wonderland. Tickets are free for off-peak visits. Kids’ rides at Santaland start from £2.00.
Meet Shrek Santa at Shrek’s Adventure
South Bank, SE1
Book from £21.00: Meet Shrek Santa
At Shrek’s Adventure, there is a grotto inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s beloved Christmas special, Shrek the Halls. The family gets to meet Shrek Santa as part of the Shrek’s Adventure experience. This includes the 4D Magic Flying Bus experience.
How to book Shrek Santa
Shrek the Halls is included in a visit to Shrek’s Adventure, starting from £21.00. It is available from November 30th to December 24th. Book online at the Shrek’s Adventure website.
Anya’s Grotto
Belgravia, SW1
A visit to Anya’s Grotto comes as part of a 30-minute experience with Father Christmas exploring wonderland at Anya’s Village. It ends with a story by the fire and receiving a gift.
How to book Anya’s Grotto
Book from £50.00 for one adult and one child for experiences from 18th November to 24th December. Book online at the Anya Hindmarch website.
Santa’s Grotto at the Fujifilm House of Photography
Covent Garden, WC2
The Fujifilm House of Photography Santa’s Grotto is a 30-minute immersive experience. It includes 3 minutes with Santa Claus, a 6×4 print, and a photo gift.
The experience also includes crafts, games, and unique photo opportunities. You can also print photos from the experience there on the day and post them, too!
How to book Santa’s Grotto at the Fujifilm House of Photography
Book from £30.00 online at Fujifilm House of Photography. The grotto runs between 15th November until 24th December. Two adults can attend with each booking. There are various photo gifting packages as well.
Santa Steam Express
Departs from London Victoria, SW1
The Santa Steam Express is a 1-hour and 30-minute ride aboard a 1950s steam train with 1950s and 1960s decorated carriages. The carriages are decorated for Christmas with Santa making his way through the carriages giving out gifts.
A sweet treat, drink, and a gift for children, as well as a hot drink and a mince pie for adults, are included. You also get a copy of the International Elf Service™ North Pole Star newspaper.
How to book Morning Santa Steam Express
Tickets start at £55.00 per person. Under 2s who don’t need a seat can be booked for £5.00 and still receive a gift. Morning, Afternoon, and Evening departures are available. Book online at Steam Dreams.
Breakfast with Santa at Selfridges
Mayfair, W1
Breakfast with Santa is an experience at the department store Selfridges. The family can enjoy breakfast with Santa and Mrs Claus at Dolly’s, their art deco-inspired café, and receive a gift to take home. Gifts are suitable for children aged 2-10 years with the experience for the whole family.
How to book Breakfast with Santa at Selfridges
Book from £60.00 online at Selfridges. Dates for the experience are the 7th, 9th, 10th, and 16th-21st December. This experience often sells out, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Storytelling with Father Christmas at the Natural History Museum
South Kensington, SW7
The Natural History Museum hosts Story with Father Christmas sessions. These last 45 minutes and include a photo opportunity and a gift.
How to book Storytelling with Father Christmas at the Natural History Museum
The Story with Father Christmas experience runs between the 1st-15th of December. Book from £17.00 per child online at the Natural History Museum website.
Christmas Grotto at Sloane Square
Chelsea, SW1
The Christmas Grotto at Sloane Square allows you to meet Father Christmas, listen to stories, and the kids receive a gift. Sessions last 25 minutes. There is also a Bavarian Curling Rink and Winter Terrace at Sloane Square.
How to book Christmas Grotto at Sloane Square
Book from £15.00 for one child and adult online at their website. Dates available are from the 19th November – 24th December.
Victorian Santa’s Grotto at London Museum Docklands
Canary Wharf, E14
There is a Victorian-style grotto at the London Museum Docklands. The Sailortown gallery has been decorated for Christmas, and Santa’s grotto is at the end. Children can have a photo taken with Santa and receive a gift. Sessions last up to 15 minutes.
How to book Victorian Santa’s Grotto at London Museum Docklands
Book from £14.00 online at the London Museum website. Accompanying adults don’t need a ticket. You are welcome to explore the rest of the museum, for which entry is free.
DLR Discovery Santa’s Grotto
Tower Hill, E1
At Tower Gateway DLR station, you will find a Santa’s Grotto this Christmas. Kids can explore Santa’s home, take a photo with him and receive a gift.
How to book DLR Discovery Santa’s Grotto
Tickets can be booked from £10.00 online from DLR Discovery for dates 1st-24th December.
Storytelling with Father Christmas at Fortnum & Mason
Piccadilly, W1
Meet Santa at the famous Fortnum & Mason department store. He will share some tales, listen to last-minute gift requests, and gift a goodie bag. The store is always beautifully decorated for Christmas.
How to book Storytelling with Father Christmas at Fortnum & Mason
Book from £40.00 online at Fortnum & Mason. This experience often sells out, so book early to visit.
Santa’s Grotto at Peter Jones
Sloane Square, SW1
Meet Santa at the Peter Jones store for storytelling and Christmas crafts. Children will also receive a gift.
How to book Santa’s Grotto at Peter Jones
Book from £17.50 per child and £3.00 per adult online at John Lewis.
Father Christmas at Kenwood
Hampstead, NW3
Kenwood is an English Heritage Property on the edge of Hampstead Heath. Over Christmas, there is a Santa’s Grotto there, with storytelling around the tree with Father Christmas. There will be an opportunity to take photos and receive a traditional present.
How to book Father Christmas at Kenwood
Book from £9.50 per child, including one accompanying adult. This must be purchased with a free admission ticket to Kenwood online at English Heritage. It is available on select weekends in December.
Father Christmas Storytelling at Chelsea Physic Garden
Chelsea, SW3
At Chelsea Physic Garden’s wonderland, you can join Father Christmas for storytelling. It happens in the greenhouse-themed grotto. There, children will receive a gift and a photo opportunity. There is also an eco-friendly Christmas decoration craft activity that you can join in with. The Chelsea Physic Garden Cafe will be serving hot drinks, too.
How to book Father Christmas Storytelling at Chelsea Physic Garden
Tickets are from £13.00 per child and £11.00 for accompanying adults, and entry to the Chelsea Physic Garden for the day is included. They are available on selected dates in November and December. You can book online at the Chelsea Physic Garden website.
Santa’s Secret Village at Hobbledown Heath
Hounslow, TW14
You can book several different experiences to meet Santa at Hobbledown Heath. You can visit Santa’s Village, which has trails and lights. There is festive cookie decorating along with meeting Santa and receiving a gift. See also their toddler storytime grotto experiences.
How to book Santa’s Secret Village at Hobbledown Heath
Book from £23.00 online at the Hobbledown Heath website for selected dates in November and December.
Santa’s Grotto at Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace, N22
At Alexandra Palace this Christmas, children can meet Santa, receive a gift, and have their photo taken to mark the occasion.
How to book Santa’s Grotto at Alexandra Palace
Book from £16.00 online at the Alexandra Palace website. The Grotto is open from the 29th November – 23rd December. Book early to avoid disappointment with days selling out.
Christmas Wonderland
Enfield, EN2
With this experience at Springtime Nurseries, you start at the station platform for a ride through Wonderland. Santa then greets you before continuing on to where kids can choose a gift. A reindeer visit is also included.
How to book Christmas Wonderland at Springtime Nurseries
Tickets start from £15.95 for children and £4.95 for adults online from Springtime Nurseries.
Father Christmas’ Cabin at LEGOLAND
Windsor, SL4
Book from £29.00: Father Christmas’ Cabin at LEGOLAND
The winter wonderland at LEGOLAND features a DUPLO® Christmas tree, festive shows, and the usual rides and attractions. The kids can also meet Santa at the Father Christmas Cabin and receive a LEGO gift.
How to book Father Christmas’ Cabin at LEGOLAND
A trip to LEGOLAND starts at £29.00, with which you can add the Father Christmas Visit from £25.00. Book online at the LEGOLAND website.
What is the best Santa’s Grotto in London?
The best Santa’s grotto in London is at Santaland in Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park. The kids can meet Santa while also enjoying several rides and festive fun.
Santa’s grottos are located at London department stores such as Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, and Peter Jones. Classic Santa’s grotto experiences can also be found at Sloane Square and Chelsea Physic Garden.
If you want something that can make for a festive day out, see the experiences at LEGOLAND and London Zoo.
For family photos, try the Fujifilm House of Photography experience. It offers lots of opportunities to capture a festive feeling, and printing is available, too.
And for something a bit different, there’s Shrek the Halls at Shrek’s Adventure or the Santa’s Steam Express train ride from London Victoria.
FAQs
Where to see Santa in London in 2024?
There are many places to see Santa in London in 2024, including the London Zoo, Hamleys, LEGOLAND, and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
Where to visit Santa’s Grotto?
You can visit Santa’s Grotto at London Zoo, Hamleys, LEGOLAND and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. You can also find Santa’s grotto at London department stores such as Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, and Peter Jones.
What age is Santa’s Grotto for?
Santa’s Grotto is best for ages 2-10. Young children can sometimes find meeting Santa a little scary, so make sure they are aware of what to expect. Check the recommended age of the grotto before visiting to make sure it is age-appropriate for your kids.