Santa’s grottos · Christmas 2026
Santa’s grottos near Bristol
We’ve checked 14 Santa’s grottos within 19 miles of Bristol. 11 have confirmed 2026 dates, 3 are still to announce. The first opens on Saturday 21 November (Father Christmas Grotto at Cheddar Gorge & Caves).
Where prices are published, entry runs from £6.49 to £26.99 per child. 12 include a gift in the price.
On this weekend
Based on each listing’s first and last dates. Some run on selected days only, so check times before you set off.
- ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grotto at Born in Bristol
Born in Bristol, Church Road, St George, Bristol · 1 mile from Bristol · run by Born in Bristol
- When
- Sun 6 Dec – Sun 20 Dec
- Times
- 10:00–16:30
- Price
- £7.50 per child, adults go free
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £7.50
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- No
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Sundays 6, 13 and 20 Dec 2026, 10am–4:30pm
Small independent grotto at 197 Church Road. Every child gets a gift from Santa. Bring the booking confirmation email, as no physical tickets are posted.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: borninbristol.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa Specials at Avon Valley Railway
Avon Valley Railway, Bitton Station, Bitton · 5 miles from Bristol · run by Avon Valley Railway
- When
- Sun 22 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Times
- Trains 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30, 16:00
- Price
- From £18
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £18–£26 (Standard)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 50 minutes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: 22 Nov – 24 Dec 2026, trains at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30 and 16:00
Prices: Standard £18–£26 per adult or child depending on date; adult plus under-1 £24–£32; Premium £26–£37 (first-class seat, festive drink, no-queue photo)
About 50 minutes in total, including a 24-minute, 6-mile return train ride and time at the station for photos with Santa. Children get an Avon Valley Railway soft toy. Christmas donkeys are on the station lawn.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: avonvalleyrailway.org Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas Experience at Avon Valley Adventure Park
Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park, Keynsham · 6 miles from Bristol
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 5, 6, 12, 13 and 18–24 Dec 2026
Times: From 10am; Father Christmas visit is a timed slot chosen when booking
Prices: Prices shown at booking; £4.99 online booking fee
New for 2026: a timed visit to Father Christmas in his grotto for a group story and family photo. Every child ticket includes a golden ticket to choose a gift in Santa's Toy Factory. Also puppet shows, gingerbread decorating and a reindeer shed; food and drink cost extra.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: avonvalley.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Breakfast and Brunch with Santa at Old Down Estate
The Barn, Old Down Estate, Tockington · 9 miles from Bristol · run by Old Down Estate
- When
- Sat 19 Dec – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £24.95
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £24.95
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Breakfast with Santa
Dates: 19–24 Dec 2026, multiple sessions
Prices: Child £24.95, adult/concession £20.95, members 10% off
Breakfast or brunch in the Barn, a story read by Santa with a gift and message, an animal encounter and country park entry. Pre-booked only, with limited places.
Parking: Free parking on the estateChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: olddownestate.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Father Christmas Grotto at the Holburne Museum
Holburne Museum, Sydney Gardens, Bath · 11 miles from Bristol · run by The Production Garden
- When
- Fri 27 Nov – Wed 23 Dec
- Price
- From £12
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £12–£14.50
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 20 minutes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 27 Nov – 23 Dec: Thu–Fri 2pm–4pm, Sat–Sun 9am–2pm to 18 Dec, then daily 18–23 Dec 9am–4pm; 'My First Christmas' (ages 0–2) Wednesdays 2–17 Dec
Times: Shows run in timed slots, 9am–4pm depending on the day
Prices: Children £12–£14.50, adults £10–£11.50 (Eventbrite booking fee applies); My First Christmas £10 per ticket
A 20-minute show with professional actors and musicians, ending with a photo and a small gift for children and adults. Adults need a ticket too. The Wednesday 'My First Christmas' sessions are a calmer version for 0–2s.
Parking: Pay-and-display on site, gets very busy; Park and Ride nearbyAccess: Grounds described as fully accessible; accessible toiletsUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: fatherchristmasbath.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa at the Station, Somerset & Dorset Railway
Midsomer Norton Station, Midsomer Norton · 13 miles from Bristol · run by Somerset & Dorset Railway
- When
- Sun 29 Nov – Sun 20 Dec
- Times
- Trains at 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30
- Price
- From £17
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £17 (aged 2+)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: Sun 29 Nov, Sat 5 & Sun 6, Sat 12 & Sun 13, Sat 19 & Sun 20 Dec 2026; quiet train 9:30am on 29 Nov
Prices: Shared compartment (2–3 people) £17 per person aged 2+; private compartment (4–8) £19 per person; under-2s no seat charge, £6 for gift and refreshments
Train ride with a children's entertainer, a visit to Santa's grotto, a wrapped gift and goody bag with a drink for children, and a drink and mince pie for adults. Tickets are sold by compartment and are non-refundable. The 29 Nov 9:30am train is a quiet one with no music and limited numbers.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: sdjr.digitickets.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Father Christmas Grotto at Cheddar Gorge & Caves
Gough's Cave, Cheddar Gorge & Caves, Cheddar · 14 miles from Bristol · run by Cheddar Gorge & Caves
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £6.49
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £6.49 (plus day ticket)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 30 minutes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Selected dates from 21 Nov, daily 19–24 Dec 2026
Times: Sessions 10:30, 11:15, 12:15, 1:00, 2:45, 3:30, 4:15
Prices: £6.49 per child with gift; £4.49 older children and adults without gift; babes in arms free (£6.49 if a gift is wanted). Day ticket also required.
About 30 minutes: meet Father Christmas, sing, hear a story and visit the elf workshop inside Gough's Cave. Children get a soft toy. You need a day ticket as well as the grotto ticket. Online booking closes at midnight the day before; arrive 15 minutes early.
Access: Wheelchair users will struggle: steep gradients and steps in the caveDogs: WelcomeChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: cheddargorge.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole
Wookey Hole Caves, Wells · 16 miles from Bristol
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £26.99
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- From £26.99 (includes entry)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Weekends from 21 Nov, daily 19–24 Dec 2026
Prices: From £28.99 adult, £26.99 child, £24.99 senior, £7.50 under-3s; Santa visit, gift and toy factory included; 15% off booked in advance
The ticket covers the whole Winter Wonderland, including the caves, the new Wookey Express ride, a personal visit with Santa and a gift chosen in Santa's Toy Factory. It sells out every year. Guide and assistance dogs only.
Parking: Free on-site parkingAccess: Wookey Express train takes up to 24 passengers including wheelchair users; buggy storage at cave entrancesDogs: Not allowedUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: wookey.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grotto at the Grand Pier
Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare · 19 miles from Bristol · run by The Grand Pier
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec
- Times
- 10am–4pm
- Price
- From £19.95
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £19.95
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 10 minutes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Saturday 5 Dec – Thursday 24 Dec, 10am–4pm; last session 2:50pm on Christmas Eve
Prices: Children £19.95 including gift; adults £2.50; optional £5 parking
About 10 minutes with Santa, his elves and Mrs Claus. Each child gets a gift. Tickets are e-tickets by email; pre-booking is recommended.
Parking: £5 parking add-on available when bookingChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: grandpier.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Almondsbury Christmas Grotto
Almondsbury Garden Centre, Almondsbury, Bristol
- When
- See dates below
- Times
- Timed slots, including 9–10am and 4–5pm
- Price
- Child ticket from £10; adult ticket also needed
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- From £10
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: December 2026; exact dates shown when you choose a slot. SEN day on 11 Dec
A guided walk through five rooms with elves, then Santa, with a gift for each child. Arrive 15 minutes before your slot; late arrivals may not be admitted and are not refunded. The early bird offer has ended and child tickets were showing as backordered.
Parking: Allow extra time; Cribbs Causeway, near M5 junction 16Access: Prams stored outside; wheelchairs accommodated with advance noticeChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: almondsbury.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Quiet Grotto at Dobbies Shepton Mallet
Dobbies Garden Centre, Mendip Avenue, Shepton Mallet · 19 miles from Bristol · run by Hoop Health Ltd
- When
- Friday 4 December
- Times
- 14:10–17:30
- Price
- £15 per child
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £15
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Friday 4 Dec 2026, 2:10pm–5:30pm
A sensory-friendly session: music off, twinkling lights removed or switched off, fewer families per slot and no queuing. A photo preview of the grotto is emailed beforehand. Children get a soft toy gift.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: hoop.co.uk Book a visit - Awaiting 2026 dates
Santa's Grotto at Cadbury Garden Centre
Cadbury Garden Centre, Congresbury · 11 miles from Bristol · run by Blue Diamond Garden Centres
- When
- Awaiting 2026 dates
- Price
- Price not published yet.
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Last year: Saturday 1 November – 24 December 2025
Last year each child got a gift and a keepsake photo, and made an illuminated snowball decoration. A separate Breakfast with Santa ran in December. No 2026 dates published yet.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: northsomersettimes.co.uk Details - Awaiting 2026 dates
Father Christmas Experience at Ashton Court Mansion
Ashton Court Mansion, Bristol
- When
- Awaiting 2026 dates
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Last year: 3–23 Dec 2025, weekends and some weekdays
Ran in the mansion in December 2025 and sold tickets through TicketSource. No 2026 dates announced yet.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: bristolfamilyblog.com Book a visit - Awaiting 2026 dates
Santa's Library at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Wraxall
- When
- Awaiting 2026 dates
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Last year: select dates through November and December 2025
Last year little ones met Santa in a library setting on select dates, with a decorate-your-own Christmas decoration for children aged 2 and over. Santa's Library visits are planned for this year but dates are not announced yet.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: tourismforall.co.uk Book a visit
Compare at a glance
| Name | Where | When | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa's Grotto at Born in Bristol | St George, Bristol (1 mi) | Sun 6 Dec – Sun 20 Dec | £7.50 | Book ahead |
| Santa Specials at Avon Valley Railway | Bitton (5 mi) | Sun 22 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £18 | Book ahead |
| Christmas Experience at Avon Valley Adventure Park | Keynsham (6 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Breakfast and Brunch with Santa at Old Down Estate | Tockington (9 mi) | Sat 19 Dec – Thu 24 Dec | £24.95 | Book ahead |
| Father Christmas Grotto at the Holburne Museum | Bath (11 mi) | Fri 27 Nov – Wed 23 Dec | £12 | Book ahead |
| Santa at the Station, Somerset & Dorset Railway | Midsomer Norton (13 mi) | Sun 29 Nov – Sun 20 Dec | £17 | Book ahead |
| Father Christmas Grotto at Cheddar Gorge & Caves | Cheddar (14 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £6.49 | Book ahead |
| Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole | Wells (16 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £26.99 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto at the Grand Pier | Weston-super-Mare (19 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec | £19.95 | Book ahead |
| Almondsbury Christmas Grotto | Almondsbury, Bristol | December 2026; exact dates shown when you choose a slot. SEN day on 11 Dec | £10 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Quiet Grotto at Dobbies Shepton Mallet | Shepton Mallet (19 mi) | Friday 4 December | £15 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto at Cadbury Garden Centre | Congresbury (11 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | — |
| Father Christmas Experience at Ashton Court Mansion | Bristol | Awaiting 2026 | — | Book ahead |
| Santa's Library at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm | Wraxall | Awaiting 2026 | — | Book ahead |
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Common questions
Which Bristol grottos include a present?
Santa's Grotto at Born in Bristol, Santa Specials at Avon Valley Railway, Christmas Experience at Avon Valley Adventure Park, Breakfast and Brunch with Santa at Old Down Estate, Father Christmas Grotto at the Holburne Museum and Santa at the Station, Somerset & Dorset Railway and 6 others include a gift for each child in the ticket price.
Are any Santa’s grottos near Bristol free?
None of the ones we checked is free. The cheapest is Father Christmas Grotto at Cheddar Gorge & Caves at £6.49, and the dearest Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole at £26.99.
When do Santa’s grottos near Bristol open in 2026?
Confirmed so far: Father Christmas Grotto at Cheddar Gorge & Caves (Sat 21 Nov); Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole (Sat 21 Nov); Santa Specials at Avon Valley Railway (Sun 22 Nov); Father Christmas Grotto at the Holburne Museum (Fri 27 Nov); Santa at the Station, Somerset & Dorset Railway (Sun 29 Nov); plus 5 more on the list. Every listing shows the date we last checked it.
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