Christmas is a magical time for children and there are some wonderfully enchanting places for them to meet Father Christmas across Gloucestershire.
One of the nicest things that you can do during the festive period with your children is to enjoy a visit to Father Christmas (or as others refer to him, Santa Claus). There is something quite magical about seeing your kid’s eyes light up in amazement at meeting the big man and letting him know directly what is on their Christmas list.
But, where should you go to visit Father Christmas? I have found the best places to see Father Christmas in Gloucestershire.
Best Places to See Father Christmas In Gloucestershire
Below we have shared some of the best places to see Father Christmas in Gloucester this December. These are experiences that last longer than a quick visit to a shop. These attractions offer a family experience where you can have a breakfast, enjoy the outdoors or make a morning or afternoon of visiting one of Gloucestershire’s premier attractions.
If you are looking for a shorter, more budget-friendly option then Father Christmas will be in both Gloucester Eastgate Shopping Center and Cheltenham Shopping Arcade as well as John Lewis at weekends in December.
Gloucester
Let’s start with Gloucester. There will be some incredible places in the town centre and at some of the stores, but here are a couple of picks for some of the best locations to see Father Christmas in Gloucester.
Slimbridge Wetland Centre
10th December -21st December
This year you can see Father Christmas in his festive grotto. Children will be able to meet Santa and they will also receive a gift. There will be lots of festive activities to take part in as well. You can head to the Art Hub to make your own natural Christmas decorations to take home. Write and post a letter to Santa at the Slimbridge post office. Booking is needed which you can do online. You will be able to book a time slot.
Dobbies Garden Centre
24th November – 23rd December
The Santa’s grotto is always magical at Dobbies Garden Centre but this year they have made it much more interactive. You can help put toys in the sleigh and meet Father Christmas to give him the list. Children will receive a gift and there will be plenty of chances for pictures. Dobbies Garden Centre also hosts a Santa Breakfast experience.
Find out more information here.
King Edward VII
10th & 11th December and 17th & 18th December
Bring the kids for Breakfast With Santa in December, where they can meet the main man whilst enjoying a hearty breakfast. This is a little different than your standard grotto but it can be a lot of fun and enjoyable thing to do as a family.
Find out more information here.
Westonbirt Arboretum
Head to Westonbirt Arboretum this Christmas and help the elves as they scramble to finish decorating the forest before Father Christmas arrives, all while experiencing mesmerising light displays and stunning spectacles along the way.
The arboretum’s Enchanted Christmas gets underway this November 2022 and will have visitors embark on an adventure through the illuminated trees, watching as the playful elves create the illuminated trail around you – if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of Father Christmas himself!
This is a truly magical experience and ideal for the whole family.
Cattle Country, Berkeley
Father Christmas is heading to Cattle Country Adventure Park from Friday 2 to Friday 23 December 2022. Families will be able to enjoy a whole host of festive fun, including meeting Santa, making some magical reindeer food, taking a ride in Father Christmas’s sleigh and more.
- Meet Father Christmas in his North Pole Grotto and collect your Christmas Eve Kit
- Make your own magical reindeer food
- Write your Christmas List, then post it to The North Pole (or give it to him personally!)
- Take a ride in Father Christmas’ sleigh which is parked in The Animal Barn
- Get cosy around our firepit and toast marshmallows
- Find all of the Reindeer on our Reindeer Trail around the farm
- Plus there’s a special Christmas menu in GRAZE
All of the Christmas activities are included in the tickets to see Santa, which also give visitors full access to the park between 10am and 4pm.
Cirencester
Cirencester is another great location with lots of places to see Father Christmas. Here are some of the best ones to consider booking.
Cotswold Airport
25th November – 24th December
This is sure to be a big hitter this year as it is a new experience. I am going to the opening and will include a full review once we have been.
This is something that is a little bit different. A former British Airways Boeing 747 will be transformed into a winter wonderland, allowing families to meet and greet Father Christmas and his elves on board the preserved aircraft. You will get a boarding pass and enjoy the beautiful festive surroundings. A great experience for the whole family.
Find out more information here.
Cotswold Reindeer Herd
19th November – 31st December (Santa visits up to the 24th of December)
This is a magical location as you not only get to see Father Christmas but you can also enjoy visiting the wonderful reindeer that are taken care of. The centre is open from the 19th of November right through to the 31st of December with Santa visits being booked up to the 24th of December.
Find out more information here.
Sundial Theatre
22nd December
A wonderful Christmas show where you can experience a mad dash to save Christmas. Perfect for children of all ages and interactive to get the audience involved. A little different than the traditional pantomime and a chance to see Father Christmas.
Find out more information here.
Cheltenham
Cheltenham has its fair share of wonderful places to see Father Christmas but I have picked out some of the best options for you to consider.
Cotswold Farm Park
A wonderful place to see Father Christmas is at the Farm Park. During the festive season, there is also a light trail to enjoy and the whole farm is very festive. A great day out for the whole family with a wonderful chance to meet the big man.
Find out more information here.
Webbs Garden Centre
19th November – 24th December
A beautiful festive grotto where you can experience a meet and greet with the big man and enjoy the wonderful festive activities that are on offer. You will need to book tickets for this and you can do so online.
Everywhere else
Of course, there are some other wonderful locations throughout Gloucestershire where you can meet Father Christmas but I have selected some of the best options for you to consider.
Trioscape Garden Centre – Newent
Visit Santa in his Grotto here at Trioscape. Santa will be here every Saturday & Sunday from 30th November until December 22nd & Christmas Eve. A wonderful festive location to enjoy with the whole family.
Batsford Arboretum – Batsford
3rd December – 11th December
You can visit Santa and enjoy a wonderful day out all at the same time at Batsford Arboretum. Lots of festive fun to be enjoying and take part in.
Find out more information here.
Dean Forest Railway – Lydney
Visit the Dean Forest Railway this Christmas for your chance to ride behind a real steam engine and visit Santa and his elves! With presents for the children and a miniature for the adults with mince pies for everyone. You can also add lots of fun extras to this experience. A unique way to enjoy visiting Father Christmas and fun for the whole family.
Find out more information here.
Newark Park – Wotton-Under-Edge
You can’t go wrong with visiting a National Trust property and grounds during the Christmas Season and Newark Park promises to host a wonderful Santa experience that the whole family can enjoy. As well as some festive activities to get involved with.
Find out more information here.
Dyrham Park – Chippenham
Another wonderful National Trust location is Dyrham Park where you can enjoy the beautiful grounds and wonderful festive activities on offer.
Find out more information here.
I hope you have found plenty of inspiration for some of the best places to see Father Christmas in Gloucestershire. For more Christmas content check out my post on the Best Advent Calendars.
One Response
Thank you for this list Emma! I think local parents and guardians will be grateful for good recommendation to take their little ones this year. Thank you for sharing x