This holiday season, National Trust sites across the UK are offering a variety of festive events featuring Father Christmas. Here’s a roundup of events where you can immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit, meet Father Christmas, and enjoy unique experiences
Get ready for a festive adventure at National Trust sites across the UK this Christmas season! From enchanting woodland visits to historic homes decked out for the holidays, there are countless opportunities to meet Father Christmas himself.
AD | We have been or could be if you click on a link in this post compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. As an Amazon Associate and Stay 22 we earn from qualifying purchases. See our full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details.
Be sure to check out the unique experiences each site offers, but do remember that most locations have an entrance fee in addition to the event ticket prices.
Magical Father Christmas Events at National Trust Sites in 2024
Quarry Bank, Wilmslow, Cheshire
Baby and Toddler Festive Play Session with Father Christmas
Location: Quarry Bank, Wilmslow, Cheshire
Date: 22 Nov 2024 + 4 other dates
Time: 10:00 – 10:30 + 3 other times that day
Price: £13 per child
Christmas Baby & Toddler Play Session: Special Visit from Father Christmas!
A magical 30-minute Christmas-themed play session perfect for your little one! This festive experience includes:
- An interactive story and song session to spark the holiday spirit.
- A keepsake craft activity to create a special memento for you to take home.
- Plenty of toys and playtime for babies and toddlers to enjoy.
- A special visit from Father Christmas, with a gift just for your little one!
It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season with your child.
Meet Father Christmas at Quarry Bank
Location: Quarry Bank, Wilmslow, Cheshire
Date: 23 Nov 2024 + 9 other dates
Time: 10:00 – 10:30 + 7 other times that day
Price: £13 per child
a festive 30-minute session filled with holiday crafts and activities, including a private family visit with Father Christmas, where each child will receive a special gift.
This session is suitable for children aged 6 months to 10 years. Additionally, tickets are available for our baby and toddler festive play sessions, specifically designed for children aged 6 months to 5 years.
A Quiet Visit with Father Christmas – Neurodiverse Friendly
Location: Quarry Bank, Wilmslow, Cheshire
Date: 30 Nov 2024 + 1 other date
Time: 10:00 – 10:30 + 7 other times that day
Price: £13 per child
Attendees are invited to enjoy a special 30-minute session featuring festive activities, crafts, and the chance to meet Father Christmas and receive a gift.
These sessions are designed with a more relaxed atmosphere, accommodating fewer guests and no background music, allowing participants to explore at their own pace. Open to individuals of all ages with additional needs, this experience provides a calm and comfortable environment for everyone to enjoy.
See all Quary Bank Festive Events Here.
Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire
Father Christmas at The Farm
Location: Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire
Date: 23 Nov 2024 + 11 other dates
Time: 10:30 – 14:30
Price: £12.50 per child
Meet Father Christmas and his elf helpers in the festive grotto at Tatton Park’s farm.
Experience the magic with roaming entertainers, and live performances from festive choirs and brass bands, and indulge in delicious treats at the Christmas Café in the Clydesdale Barn.
Gather your loved ones for a cosy photo in Santa’s sleigh and create your very own magical reindeer food in the Mill to take home and sprinkle on Christmas Eve!
Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Ely, Cambridgeshire
Father Christmas 2024 at Wicken Fen
Location: Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Ely, Cambridgeshire
Date: 23 Nov 2024 + 9 other dates
Time: 10:00 – 10:30 + 8 other times that day
Price: £13.50 per child
Enjoy a traditional festive experience with your little ones at Fen Cottage in Wicken Fen. Join the Elves to craft a Christmas decoration and pick up a take-home Christmas craft pack. Then, head over to Fen Cottage to meet Father Christmas or Mother Christmas and receive a special gift.
Gibside, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
Visit Father Christmas at Gibside Stables
Location: Gibside, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
Date: 23 Nov 2024 + 10 other dates
Time: 10:45 – 11:40 + 6 other times that day
Price: £25 per child
Join an immersive experience with Father Christmas and his elves at Gibside Stables, perfect for families.
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with your loved ones in this interactive Father Christmas experience. Watch as clumsy elves bring cartoonish fun, and discover what Father Christmas has been up to as he prepares for the big day.
While tinkering away, Father Christmas will share stories of his festive adventures and check who’s made it onto his nice list. Children are invited to join in the fun, and before saying goodbye, families can snap their own photos with him. The elves will then lead the group to his workshop, where children can decorate a special Christmas keyring and card to take home.
The entire Father Christmas experience lasts approximately 55 minutes, including a 25-minute visit with Father Christmas, followed by 25 minutes in the workshop.
Relaxed Sessions with Father Christmas at Gibside Stables
Location: Gibside, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
Date: 23 Nov 2024 + 4 other dates
Time: 13:45 – 14:40
Price: £25 per child
There are also 5 relaxed sessions available. These sessions are created for people who feel more comfortable in smaller groups. Please see the ‘Upcoming events’ section of our website to book relaxed sessions.
Nunnington Hall, near York, North Yorkshire
Meet Father Christmas at Nunnington Hall
Location: Nunnington Hall, near York, North Yorkshire
Date: 23 Nov 2024 + 3 other dates
Time: 11:00 – 11:30 + 7 other times that day
Price: £8.50 per child
Join Father Christmas and his cheerful Elf in the beautifully decorated Panelled Bedroom to share your Christmas wishes.
Each ticket ensures 10 minutes of exclusive time with Father Christmas, along with a special gift for your child to take home. Please book one ticket per child.
 Beningbrough, York, North Yorkshire
Storytime with Father Christmas at Beningbrough
Location: Beningbrough, York, North Yorkshire
Date: 7 Dec 2024 + 5 other dates
Time: 10:15 – 10:45 + 6 other times that day
Price: £12.50 per child, £6.00 for Adults
Join Father Christmas for one final visit in the Victorian laundry before he moves to the hall next year! Hear him share a brand-new tale of his latest laundry mishaps as he gets ready for the big day.
In this 30-minute session, each child will have a special moment to chat with Father Christmas, share the wonderful things they’ve done this year, and perhaps even mention their gift wish list. Feel free to bring along a letter too!
At the end of the experience, children will receive a special gift, and there will be plenty of opportunities for festive photos to capture the memory.
Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Father Christmas Experience: The Frost Kingdom
- Location: Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
- Date: 7 Dec 2024 + 5 other dates
- Time: 10:30 – 11
- Price: £12.00
Add a sprinkle of magic to your visit to Ormesby Hall with this brand-new Father Christmas experience, in partnership with The Walking Theatre Company. Families can enjoy The Frost Kingdom show, featuring Father Christmas, the Snow Queen, and Jack Frost. After the performance, there’s a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with the elves, Father Christmas, the Snow Queen, and Jack Frost.
Each ticket includes a craft gift to take home. Availability is limited to 25 children per show, so book early to secure your spot.
Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
 Father Christmas at Anglesey Abbey
Location: Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Date: 29 Nov 2024 + 12 other dates
Time: 09:45 – 10:30 + 6 other times that day
Price: £26.00 per child
Experience a magical winter encounter as Father Christmas visits Anglesey Abbey in this immersive event brought to life by The Walking Theatre Company.
Join Pepper Mint the Elf in the present room to make and decorate a Christmas wish, then cozy up in the festively decorated scullery for a heartwarming story from Father Christmas. Each 45-minute session includes time for photos and a special gift from Father Christmas for every child.
Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors, near Sheffield, Derbyshire
Winter Family Breakfast with Santa
Location: Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors, near Sheffield, Derbyshire
Date: 30 Nov 2024 + 5 other dates
Time: 09:00 – 10:00
Price: £15 per child, £20 per adult, Under 2s £8.00
Longshaw Cafe is one of Father Christmas’ favourite spots in the Peak District, where he frequently stops by with presents for the children he meets.
He will be visiting on 30 November, 1, 7, 8, 14, and 15 December from 9:00 to 10:00. Book your table to ensure you don’t miss his visit. Tickets include a cooked breakfast, a story, a meet-and-greet with Santa who will bring gifts for the children, and parking.
Erddig Hall and Garden, Wrexham
Breakfast with Father Christmas at Erddig
Location: Erddig Hall and Garden, Wrexham
Date: 30 Nov 2024 + 8 other dates
Time: 09:00 – 10:30
Price: £19.90 per child, £18.95 per adult
Indulge in a delicious Welsh breakfast with a very special guest—Father Christmas! Enjoy festive songs, a heartwarming story, and a small gift for the children. This delightful experience promises to fill everyone with holiday cheer. Afterwards, let Jake the Elf enchant your little ones with his magical storytelling.
Morden Hall Park, Morden, London
Visit Father Christmas at Morden Hall Park (0-8yrs)
Location: Morden Hall Park, Morden, London
Date: 30 Nov 2024 + 5 other dates
Time: 10:00 – 10:15 + 17 other times that day
Price: £14 per child
Come and create your Christmas wish list, drawing or writing your wishes, and send them via our special postcard express. Then, visit the cozy enchanted grotto for a special meeting with Father Christmas himself. His elves have been working all year to prepare gifts for everyone who visits.
Please arrive at the Stableyard welcome desk 15 minutes before your scheduled time slot to write and post your postcard to Father Christmas.
Standen House and Garden, East Grinstead, West Sussex
Finding Father Christmas at Standen
Location: Standen House and Garden, East Grinstead, West Sussex
Date: 1 Dec 2024 + 7 other dates
Time: 09:30 – 11:00 + 6 other times that day
Price: £10 per child, Adults £8.00
Excitement is in the air as Father Christmas arrives at Standen to visit two of his festive helpers. But these aren’t your typical gift-making elves—these woodland sprites have their own special holiday duties!
Join them on an enchanting adventure to find Father Christmas in his woodland home. Along the way, they’ll spread Yuletide cheer, ensuring that every bending bough, bright berry, and bustling beetle gets a touch of Christmas magic.
Expect joyful merriment, festive folk tales, and, of course, a special visit from Father Christmas himself!
Trerice, near Newquay, Cornwall
Father Christmas at Trerice
Location: Trerice, near Newquay, Cornwall
Date: 1 Dec 2024 + 7 other dates
Time: 11:15 – 12:00 + 4 other times that day
Price: £5 per child, Adults £4
This festive season, Father Christmas will be visiting Trerice to share stories and traditions from Christmases past. Join him in the Drawing Room, where he’ll be dressed in his classic red robes, for 30-minute sessions throughout the day. Every child will receive a small gift to take home.
Trelissick, near Truro, Cornwall
An Audience with Father Christmas at Trelissick
Location: Trelissick, near Truro, Cornwall
Date: 7 Dec 2024 + 8 other dates
Time: 10:15 – 10:45 + 6 other times that day
Price: £6 per child, £2 per adult
This December, Father Christmas returns to the stable yard to share a special story about a Cornish Christmas at Trelissick. After the storytelling, he’ll present each child with a small gift to take home.
Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
Storytelling with Santa at Kingston Lacy
Location: Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
Date: 30 Nov 2024 + 11 other dates
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 + 4 other times that day
Price: Tickets are £15 per child (ages 0-12) with one accompanying adult included per child.
Santa is visiting Kingston Lacy this festive season! Create lasting memories and start new traditions as you embark on a magical journey with his helpers to find the storybook nook. Enjoy a festive tale, receive an early Christmas gift, and capture the moment with a photo with Santa!
Stourhead, near Mere, Wiltshire
Storytime with Father Christmas at Stourhead
Location: Stourhead, near Mere, Wiltshire
Date: 30 Nov 2024 + 8 other dates
Time: 10:30 – 11:20 + 4 other times that day
Price: £15 per child
Create cosy Christmas crafts, gallop with hobby-reindeer and snuggle up for a festive story with Father Christmas in his magical grotto.
Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
 K.D Theatre presents an Ickworth Santa ShowÂ
Location: Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Date: 6 Dec 2024 + 1 other date
Time: 14:30 – 15:30 + 1 other time that day
Price: £12 per child, £8 per adult
Date: Weekend Performances, 7 Dec 2024 + 3 other dates
Time: 10:15 – 11:15 + 2 other times that day
Price: £12 per child, £8 per adult
Will the hardworking elves manage to fix everything in time for Christmas Eve so Father Christmas can make his rounds around the world? With the help of Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, can they save Christmas?
This interactive, sing-along show is perfect for preschool children aged 2 to 6. It’s a festive delight filled with music, laughter, and holiday cheer that will enchant young hearts and imaginations.
After the show, each child will have the opportunity to meet Santa and receive a special present, making it a truly memorable experience.
The event is designed for children aged 2 to 6, though older children might also enjoy it depending on their interests. Children under 2 can attend for free, but they will not receive a gift.
