UK's coolest Santa's grottos from an enchanted forest to a Polar Express train

A visit to Santa is a must in the run up to the big day. But a grotto visit is about more than just meeting the man in red. Many Santa's grottos now include a range of activities and experiences in the ticket price, giving you a full day of festive family fun.

Lots of grottos and Christmas experiences have sprung up in recent years, offering unique, memory-making experiences. So, here's a rundown of some of the coolest ways you can meet Santa, whether it's onboard a festive train or in a castle.

The Polar Express™ Train Ride

Millennial parents who grew up watching 2004 movie The Polar Express will no doubt love this immersive festive experience. Get your Christmas PJs on and board the themed train at the station, where you'll be greeted by staff dressed as characters from the movie such as the Conductor.

As the Polar Express, decked out in Christmas lights, leaves the station, there will be plenty of interactive entertainment, Christmas snacks, and more to enjoy onboard. And much like in the film, Santa will visit each child on the train to give them a silver bell, showing they still believe.

The Polar Express was hugely popular in 2024, with one reviewer who enjoyed the London Euston train saying: "We had the best experience from start to finish last year, the show was so interactive and there was Never a dull moment".

Locations: London Euston, South Devon Railway, Spa Valley Railway, Kent and Wensleydale Railway, Yorkshire

Prices: From £59.95 per person

Lapland UK

Lapland UK is a 'fully-immersive' Christmas experience that takes families through a four-hour journey in an enchanted forest. Along the way, you'll meet a number of elves and enjoy experiences from visiting the Lapland Toy Factory, to Little Rudi's Stables where you can meet the reindeer.

There's always a white Christmas at Lapland UK, thanks to its snow machines, and the entire experience is as close as you'll get to a trip to the North Pole, without stepping foot on a flight. There's ice skating, festive shows, and lots more to see, and of course, at the end of your travels, you'll spend some time with Santa and get a lovely keepsake photo.

Lapland UK has been based in Ascot since 2007, and this year it's also opening in Manchester, spreading the festive fun to even more people.

Locations: Whitmoor Forest, Ascot, and Capesthorne Hall, Manchester

Prices: From £75 per person

Hamleys

Hamleys bills itself as the world's biggest and oldest toy shop, so it's the perfect place to meet Santa, as well as getting some inspo for your Christmas shopping. The Regent Street store is decked out in Christmas lights for the festive season, going all out on the sparkly decor, and there are six floors of toys to browse. Once your kids have got their Christmas list together, they can visit Santa in his Hamleys grotto, and will get a special gift bag to take away with them.

Location: Hamleys, Regent Street London

Prices: From £65 for three (one adult and two children, or two adults and one child)

Christmas at Warwick Castle

Medieval Warwick Castle will be hosting Christmas at the Castle, where in addition to meeting Santa, kids will get a cosy storytime session with the man himself. The castle will be beautifully decorated and lit for Christmas, and in addition to the Santa sessions families can enjoy an ice rink, a festive food and drink village, and a brand-new Christmas light trail in the grounds. There are also Santa Sleepover packages where you can stay at the castle and enjoy an elf wake-up call, evening entertainment, and more.

Location: Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

Prices: Daytime entry plus stories with Santa from £29 per person, ice skating from £8pp, light trail from £17pp

Eden Project

The Eden Project's Biomes will be aglow for the festive season, with Father Christmas visiting the Cornwall-based attraction. There will be a whole theatrical experience for visitors to the unique botanical gardens, with an immersive journey that ends with a Santa visit and a special keepsake to take home.

On selected dates, the park will be open late, allowing visitors to enjoy its transformation into a sparkling winter wonderland. Each Biome will have its own festive experience to enjoy, for example, the Mediterranean Biome will have a light show and festive music. There will also be a Christmassy undercover ice rink, and festive food for sale in the cafes.

Location: Par, Cornwall

Prices: Father Christmas visits from £16 per person, light trail from £5.50pp, ice skating from £11 per adult. Eden Project admission for adults from £38, children from £12, under-fives free

Father Christmas at London Zoo

Combine a visit to Santa's grotto with a day at the zoo for the perfect Christmas-themed family day out. London Zoo offers a range of packages for those wanting to meet Santa. Younger kids can simply enjoy some Christmas crafts before their meet, or you can upgrade to a deluxe package which includes an immersive quest in the attraction's new ZooTown play area. You can also opt for the Meet Santa VIP Breakfast, which allows you to enter the zoo at 8am before normal opening, with a special tour before the crowds arrive.

Location: London Zoo, Regent's Park, London

Prices: From £18.50 per child