CHRISTMAS A MAGICAL VISIT cont.
Brookside Garden Centre 19 Nov – 24 Dec
The Reindeer Centre 12 Nov – 24 Dec
The Christmas grotto at Brookside Garden Centre in East Peckham is an award-winning local phenomenon. Every year there is a scramble for tickets, and the lucky ones who get them will be able to enjoy a one of a kind, beautiful and magical experience. To find Santa in his wooden Finnish hut, the children must traverse winding pathways complete with twinkling lights. But watch out for the( lovely) hidden surprises along the way – you wouldn’ t want to miss anything during this unforgettable festive treat. www. brooksidegc-kent. co. uk / 01622 871250
Hever Castle 26 Nov – 11 Dec( Wed – Sun) and 12 – 24 Dec( daily)
This Christmas come and visit the Reindeer Centre, near Ashford. Old and young alike will enjoy visiting Santa’ s magical grotto. Parents and children will have their very own special encounter with Father Christmas and each good child receives a quality wrapped gift, Christmas hat and passport. Then stroll through the seven animated scenes in this magical 150-foot grotto. The children can then let off steam in the popular straw bale ball pit and bounce around on the bouncy castle – they can even have a snowball fight in the artificial snow play area. For the adults there is a free reindeer souvenir mug with every purchased hot drink, plus a complimentary mince pie. www. reindeercentre. co. uk / 01233 659338
The Hop Farm 3-23 Dec
Children and adults all enjoy a great panto … oh yes they do! This Christmas, Hever Castle in Kent celebrates the history of pantomime in Once Upon A Castle. The rooms of the fairy tale castle will be adorned with beautiful decorations, welcoming log fires and twinkling Christmas trees celebrating the theme. Follow the snowy Christmas trail in the grounds and discover the story of Jack and the Beanstalk as you wander through the illuminated gardens as dusk falls. On weekends and daily from 19th-24th December, meet characters and collect fairytale objects along the trail to receive a reward. Then head to the Castle forecourt where a vintage fairground and carousel provide entertainment for all ages. And of course, nothing says ' Christmas ' quite like a visit to Father Christmas in his grotto. Children will be enchanted by the magical grotto where they will be taken by an elf through the snowy‘ forest’ to meet Father Christmas in his log cabin. www. hevercastle. co. uk / 01732 865224
Come and meet Father Christmas in his workshop at Kent’ s Hop Farm. Within the workshop itself you will discover the art of balloon modelling with live demonstrations, elvish entertainment, and you can even write your own personalised letter to Santa – and hand it to him yourself. The experience includes a meeting with the big man, fun and games with the elves, a gift, a printed photo and a balloon model. www. thehopfarm. co. uk / 01622 872068
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