Friday 15 November 2013

London Christmas Grotto's 2013


Santa's Christmas grottos in London

Meeting Father Christmas adds to the magic of Christmas for children, so here's our pick of the best Santa's grottos in London
Harrods, until Mon Dec 24

Children with a passion for reading will particularly enjoy this year's Harrods grotto, as Santa will be receiving visitors in an enchanted library, giving each guest a special Harrods book, badge and Christmas chocolate treat to take home.
Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL, £10, harrods.com

Christmas at Duke of York Square
Duke of York Square, Nov 9-Dec 24
The main man of Christmas will greet children who call on him at his workshop in the heart of Chelsea with stories and festive sweets. His young guests will also be able to drop their wish list in a post box and receive a keepsake photograph taken by elves to remember their visit.
Management Suite, 80 Duke of York Square, SW3 4LY, free entry, dukeofyorksquare.com

Duke of York SquareA visit to remember: see Santa and his elves in their workshop at Duke of York Square












Meet Santa at London Zoo

ZSL London Zoo, Nov 16-Dec 24
London Zoo will be transformed into a winter wonderland, where children will get a close look at Santa's reindeer and hear fun facts about festive animals from their trainers. After letting Saint Nicholas know what's on their wish list, the little ones can enjoy gingerbread decorating, prepare gifts and treats for the zoo's animals, and hear stories from Mother Christmas.
ZSL London Zoo, Regent's Park, NW1 4RY, 10.30am-3.30pm, £25.50; under 3s £8; free entry for adults, zsl.org

Meet Santa at ZSL London ZooWinter wonderland: get a close look at Santa's reindeer at ZSL London Zoo












Santa's 5D Personalised Grotto

Westfield London/Stratford City, Nov 22-Dec 24
Each child who visits Santa in his all-digital grotto at either of these shopping malls will be able to take part in animated 3D film Elbow the Elf, which will be personalised with their name and photo, and will experience the 5D effects of wind, lights and 'elf dust'. And everyone goes home with a gift from Father Christmas.
Westfield London, Ariel Way, W12 7GF, uk.westfield.com/london
Westfield Stratford City, 2 Stratford Place, Montifichet Road, E20 1EJ, uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity
Digital magic: immerse yourself in a digital wonderland at Santa's 5D Grotto in Westfield London


Santa Land

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Nov 22-Jan 5
Kids will be spoilt for choice at Hyde Park's land of wintry delights, which includes a giant observation wheel, Zippo's Christmas Circus and the capital's biggest ice rink, but the day wouldn't be complete without a visit to the man in red at Santa Land, a theme park within the theme park, complete with rides, games and food stalls. Little visitors can meet Father Christmas and explore his toy factory, then jump on board the Lego DUPLO Santa Express.
Hyde Park, W2 2UH, 10am-10pm, free entry, although tokens must be purchased for rides, hydeparkwinterwonderland.com


I Met Father Christmas at Hamleys

Hamleys, Nov 23-Dec 24
At the world's biggest toy store, little ones aged 4-11 can eat breakfast, lunch, tea, high tea or dinner with Father Christmas, as well as hear magical stories of Lapland from the jolly fellow, who will be joined by his elves. Each young guest will receive a mini gift at the end.
Hamleys, 188-196 Regent Street, W1B 5BT, £45,hamleys.com/Imetfatherchristmas


Santa's Woodland Grotto

Kew Gardens, Nov 28-Dec 23
A boutique Christmas village will be filled with stalls, carol singers, vintage rides and yummy treats. Kids will have plenty of time to visit Santa in his Woodland Grotto, as he will be there with his elves and a gift for each child during the day and after dark until 8.30pm.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, free entry to village, grotto £3, kew.org


Enchanted Christmas House

London Art House, Nov 30-Dec 24
The Enchanted Christmas House is a hive of kids' activities. After meeting Mr and Mrs Claus, creative children can help elves in the workshop, decorate biscuits in the Gingerbread Kitchen, and explore all sorts of play zones in the Garden of Wonder. Eight-year-olds and under can visit Santa in his grotto, and go away with a present, while adults will be treated to mince pies and mulled wine.
London Art House, 2-18 Britannia Row, N1 8PA, from £129,enchantedhouse.net



Victorian Santa’s Grotto
Museum of London Docklands, Dec 14-23
This traditional grotto at this museum of London history is set in a Victorian-style Sailortown, where kids can meet Santa in his grotto for a chat, have their photograph taken against a 19th century backdrop, and go home with a keepsake gift.
Museum of London Docklands, 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, E14 4AL, £7, museumoflondon.org.uk