insideKENT Magazine Issue 81 - December 2018 | Page 49

CHRISTMAS
A VISIT TO
Father Christmas
LIVERPOOL, 1879, AND SOMETHING DIFFERENT WAS HAPPENING AT
LEWIS’S BON MARCHÉ DEPARTMENT STORE. A BIG JOLLY MAN IN A
RED SUIT WITH A LONG WHITE BEARD HAD SET UP SHOP, AND THE
CHILDREN COULDN’T KEEP AWAY. IT WAS, OF COURSE, THE FIRST EVER
SANTA’S GROTTO, AND FATHER CHRISTMAS, HIS ELVES, THE GIFTS AND
THE NAUGHTY AND NICE LISTS THAT WOULD BECOME SYNONYMOUS
WITH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS FOR COUNTLESS FAMILIES OVER THE
NEXT CENTURY HAD DEFINITELY ARRIVED. TODAY, THERE IS A HUGE
AMOUNT OF CHOICE WHEN IT COMES TO THE BIG MAN’S GROTTOS
IN KENT, AND THE JOY AND MAGIC THAT IT PRODUCES IS A GREAT
WAY TO START YOUR FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS.
Bluewater
Bluewater // 1-24 Dec
Bluewater’s enchanting grotto, located by the
beautiful lakes at The Village, invites little ones
on a unique Christmas adventure where they
will meet Santa’s elves and receive a reindeer
hat, before enjoying a magical 4D screening
of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. Children
will also visit Mrs. Claus’ room for a fun craft
activity, meet Reggie the animatronic reindeer
and of course, Santa himself in his beautiful
toy cabin room. Each child will take home a
soft toy and photographs with Santa can be
purchased on leaving the grotto.
Price: £10 per child
www.bluewater.co.uk
Kent and East Sussex Railway
// 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 21-24 Dec Crampton Tower Museum, Broadstairs
// 1-22 Dec (selected dates)
The steam trains at the Kent and East Sussex
Railway will be decorated beautifully for the
occasion on this one hour 10 minute journey
during which Father Christmas will be passing
by each carriage and chatting to the children
inside. Following on behind are the elves,
carrying sacks of gifts for the kids. And, if there
are any teenagers on board who might prefer
something a little sweeter, there are boxes of
chocolate just for them! On 21st December,
there will be a special ‘relaxed day’, which is
ideal for children on the autistic spectrum so
that they don’t have to miss out on all the fun
and they can enjoy their visit with Santa in a
way that makes them most comfortable.
Price: from £19
www.kesr.org.uk Grottos do tend to get booked up well in
advance, so finding one that doesn’t need
tickets is always a bonus – and the Santa
Special Weekends at the Crampton Tower
Museum in Broadstairs works in exactly that
way. Santa is waiting patiently at the top of
the tower, and good boys and girls will be
taken there by an elf. On the way they can
walk through the elves’ workshop to see toys
being made, and when they have finished
chatting to Santa – and received their gift –
they can then enjoy a ride on a miniature
railway to finish the day off in style!
Price: £7
www.cramptontower.co.uk
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