insideKENT Magazine Issue 81 - December 2018 | Page 51

CHRISTMAS
A VISIT TO Father
Christmas cont.
Groombridge Place
The Glades
The Hop Farm // 1-23 Dec The Glades // 1-24 Dec
The Hop Farm in Paddock Wood offers a truly
magical Father Christmas experience during
the festive season. The little ones can meet
Santa, receive a gift and have plenty of fun
inside the Big Red Grotto where they can
spend an unlimited amount of time playing
with the elves and taking part in various
Christmas craft activities. They can even write
a letter to give to the big man himself while
they’re there. Ticket price includes entry into
the family park, animal farm and even the
indoor soft play centre, as well as a Christmas
gift and one printed photograph per group.
Price: £18 per child
www.thehopfarm.co.uk Santa’s elves are awake from their deep sleep
and full of beans as they prepare for
‘ADVENTure Land’ at The Glades – Bromley’s
Christmas grotto experience for 2018. To make
the most exciting time of year really
unforgettable, Santa and his helpers are
planning a festive activity and a half to get
families into the Christmas spirit. Open from
1st December until Christmas Eve, the
ADVENTure Land grotto will have 24 doors
and windows to explore, with a magical
moment hidden behind each one. Families
will be guided on a wonderful journey by a
host of characterful elves who have been
dispatched from the North Pole to The Glades
specially, to ensure the countdown to
Christmas Day runs smoothly. The escapade
will culminate in a meeting with the man
himself, Santa! Event-goers can take their own
pictures and receive a professional photo, too.
Children will also leave with a souvenir toy,
certificate, sticker and tons of memories.
Price: £12
www.theglades.co.uk
Brookside Garden Centre, East Peckham
// until 23 Dec
Brookside Garden Centre puts on the most
spectacular grotto each year, and it really is a
magical place for children to meet Father
Christmas. It has won awards, and it is not
hard to see why. Plus, part of the proceeds go
towards local charities and good causes, so it
is really worth taking a look at. The trail that
takes you to Santa is as sparkly and bright as
you would want, and the big man himself
always has the time to chat – no one is rushed,
and everyone can enjoy some special time
together.
Price: £15 per child, £3 per adult
www.brooksidegc-kent.co.uk
Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, Sidcup
// until 23 Dec
It is Mother Christmas herself, as well as the
funny elves, who will be guiding you through
this magical winter wonderland to meet Father
Christmas and receive a gift. Each grotto
session takes 45 minutes, and there is plenty
of fun to be had as you go including a special
coconut shy and the chance to make reindeer
food, made to Santa’s very own secret recipe.
Price: £12
www.ruxley-manor.co.uk
Hempstead Valley // until 24 Dec
Father Christmas has taken up residence in
his traditional grotto which features many
enchanting characters including penguins
and a towering, beautifully decorated
Christmas tree. The traditional grotto is open
daily until Christmas Eve
and a visit to see Father Christmas includes a
wrapped gift.
Price: £5
www.hempsteadvalley.co.uk
Polhill Garden Centre, Sevenoaks
// until 24 Dec
The grotto at Polhill Garden Centre near
Sevenoaks is one that families love to go back
to year after year. It is always different, but
always magical, and Santa is always happy to
spend time with the little ones, reading stories
and talking about the North Pole and his
naughty elves!
Price: £12
www.polhill.co.uk
Groombridge Place
// 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 20-23 Dec
At Groombridge Place the elves have a lot to
do, especially during the Merry Elfmas event
that takes place each weekend in December
and on the countdown to Christmas day itself.
Elf storytelling, Christmas letter writing, plenty
of Christmas-themed crafts and even a special
Christmas circus will all be happening for 2018,
as well as the chance to meet Santa in his
grotto.
Price: £11.95 per child for the grotto, other
events and activities are extra
www.groombridgeplace.com
Broadditch // 1-2, 8-9, 15-23 Dec
With all the fun of the farm combined with
meeting the most well-loved Christmas icon,
Brodditch has everything your little one might
want this festive season. Climb aboard the
tractor sleigh and experience an exciting
journey into the enchanted wood where the
elves will lead you to Santa’s cottage. Listen to
a story, make a wish, and come away with a
great gift.
Price: £10
www.farmerchristmas.co.uk
Kent Life // 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 20-24 Dec
There is a lot going on at Kent Life this
Christmastime! Arrive to meet Santa and climb
aboard the festively decorated land train – the
head elf himself will be driving, so you know
you’re in safe hands. Bundle into Santa’s
cottage and listen to the Christmas stories that
Mrs Christmas is going to tell; you can even
write a letter to Father Christmas as you wait.
Father Christmas will see each child
individually and give them a gift – parents
and guardians can enjoy a mince pie and
asample of cider too.
Price: £12.95 per child
www.kentlife.org.uk
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