Visit Santa’s Grotto

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to Santa’s Grotto!

Find out where to meet the man in red this winter with our guide to the best UK and Ireland Santa’s grottos.

Dublin Zoo

As one of the world’s oldest and most popular zoos, Dublin Zoo is Ireland’s No.1 visitor attraction and this year it is providing the ultimate Christmas experience to come and visit Santa at his magical grotto. Located in the Phoenix Park in the heart of Dublin city, the 70-acre park is home to some 600 animals in an environment where education and conservation combine for an exciting and unforgettable experience. Children will experience the magic of Christmas as they wander through the traditional and enchanting grotto and be greeted by Santa’s elves in the winter wonderland. The grotto will be packed with animated reindeers and elves working hard in Santa’s workshop. Young visitors will also receive a gift and photo to keep as a special memento of their time with Santa. The whole family can also enjoy a variety of festive fun including Christmas arts and crafts, face-painting and warm treats!  After sharing their list with Santa, children can then explore the wonder of Dublin Zoo and say hi to all the new arrivals this year including bull elephant Upali, Sita and Suri the Asian lionesses, red panda cubs, meerkat pups and many more.

When: Every weekend in December and every day from Thursday 20th – Monday 24^th December

Where: Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, Dublin

Cost: €8 for annual pass holders / €10 for non-annual pass holders. No pre-booking necessary

Nearest Hotel: Park Plaza Tyrrelstown, situated next door to The Phoenix Park.

Click here for more: http://bit.ly/QMMJZ9

Ailwee Caves, Co. Clare

The Ailwee Caves lies in the heart of the Burren in Co. Clare. Close to the pretty village of Ballyvaughan they make for an interesting and unusual family fun day out. The caves are magically transformed into a winter wonderland from 30th November to 23rd December with the installation of Santa’s kingdom.

Voted one of the best grotto’s in Ireland on several occasions, party packs, face-painting, carnival entertainment and a Christmas market complete the festive atmosphere. You can also enjoy a complimentary entry to the Burren Birds of Prey Centre, catch a flying display at 12 noon or 3.00pm.

When Every weekend in December and every day from Thursday 20th – Sunday 23^th December

Where Ailwee Caves, Burren, Co. Clare

Cost Check the website for booking info http://www.aillweecave.ie/

Nearest Hotel: The Falls Hotel and Spa is located very conveniently for the Ailwee Caves. Click here for more: http://bit.ly/XytN3l

Lapland UK, Lamberhurst, Kent

This attraction is an authentic award-winning, immersive theatrical production which magically transports your child to Father Christmas’ arctic homeland and is a wonderful day out for all. Just some of the activities include decorating gingerbread in Mother Christmas’ kitchen, ice-skating, meeting husky dogs and sending a postcard from Father Christmas’ working North Pole Post Office. A personalised visit to Father Christmas himself in his snowy forest home completes this unique day which isn’t to be missed. Imagine the excitement on your child’s face when Father Christmas invites them personally to come and help in his Toy Factory this Christmas, a special memory they will cherish forever.

When 1st to 24th December 2012

Where Lamberhurst, Kent

Cost £44.50 to £64.50 per person plus booking fees

Nearest Hotel: Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel. Click here for more: http://bit.ly/VOFXB8

Westfield Shopping Centre, London

Visitors to Santa’s grotto at Westfield London shopping centre over Christmas 2012 enter a winter wonderland, when the popular children’s attraction reopens for the festive season. With amazing animation and 5D special effects, including wind, lights and elf dust, the Santa’s grotto at Westfield London offers an unusual festive family experience that’s bound to be popular with kids. Each child visiting the grotto will have their name and picture featured in the film, helping Elbow the elf on his journey to help save Santa’s presents from the good-elf-turned-bad.

When 22 November 2012 – 24 December 2012 10am – 8pm

Where Westfield, London

Cost £3.00

Nearest Hotel: K West Hotel, London is right on the doorstep. Click here for more: http://bit.ly/SLdNIa

Hyde Park, London

Meet Father Christmas at the Santa’s Grotto at Winter Wonderland, when Hyde Park is transformed into a breathtaking festive landscape complete with ice rink, Christmas market and circus. Hyde Park goes all Christmassy with the sparkly additions of rides and attractions including a Giant Observation Wheel and two circuses – ‘Christmas Circus’ and ‘Cirque Berserk’ – from the family-friendly Zippos Circus. Winter Wonderland’s ice rink, the biggest outdoor rink in the UK, surrounds the Victorian bandstand and is illuminated with more than 100,000 lights. Entry to the site, including Santa Land and the Christmas Market is free. If temperatures drop and you need to defrost, there’s rustic revelry on offer around open fires, with hot cider, mulled wine and food for sale.

When 23 November 2012 – 06 January 2013 10am – 6pm

Where Hyde Park

Cost Free

Nearest Hotel: Thistle Kensington Gardens Hotel is literally across the road from the park. Click here for more: http://bit.ly/VOGnYr