Santa’s grottos · Christmas 2026
Santa’s grottos near Leeds
We’ve checked 12 Santa’s grottos within 16 miles of Leeds. 10 have confirmed 2026 dates, 2 are still to announce. The first opens on Saturday 21 November (Santa's North Pole and Santa's Cabin at Lotherton Hall).
Where prices are published, entry runs from £12 to £39.95 per child. 10 include a gift in the price. Where booking hasn’t opened yet, the listing says when it does.
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 Special train at Middleton Railway
Middleton Railway, Moor Road, Hunslet · 2 miles from Leeds · run by Middleton Railway Trust
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £12.50
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £12.50 (ages 0–2) or £18.00 (ages 3–10)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 23 and 24 Dec 2026
Times: Sat 5 and Sun 6 Dec departures 9.45 (quiet coach), 10.30, 11.15, 12.00, 13.15, 14.00, 14.45, 15.30; other days on the booking page
Prices: Booked in advance: child 0–2 £12.50, child 3–10 £18.00, age 11–15 £7.50 (no present), adult £14.50; babies 0–12 months free; each fare £1 more on 24 Dec
Santa gives each child up to 10 a present on the train to Middleton Park and back, then you see him in his grotto in the Display Hall. Children get juice and biscuits and adults a hot drink and mince pie. Booking online closes at 2am on the Thursday before; Christmas Eve is pre-book only. Only assistance dogs on these trains.
Dogs: Not allowedUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: middletonrailway.org.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grotto at Tingley Garden Centre
Tingley Garden Centre, Tingley · 4 miles from Leeds · run by Yorkshire Garden Centres
- When
- See dates below
- Price
- From £13.95
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £13.95 (£11.95 under 12 months)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Visit length
- 12 minutes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Christmas 2026 season; session dates and times are shown on the booking page
Prices: £13.95 per child; £11.95 under 12 months; maximum 2 adults per child ticket
A traditional visit of 10–15 minutes in groups of 5–6 children, with a photo and a toy gift. Booking is online only. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the centre.
Dogs: Not allowedUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: yorkshiregardencentres.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Breakfast with Santa at Tingley Garden Centre
Tingley Garden Centre, Tingley · 4 miles from Leeds · run by Yorkshire Garden Centres
- When
- See dates below
- Price
- From £20.95
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £20.95 including breakfast
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Breakfast with Santa
Dates: Christmas 2026 season; session dates and times are shown on the booking page
Prices: Child set breakfast £20.95; adult £14.95 (maximum 2 adults per child)
The child breakfast is sausage, bacon, beans, a fried egg, toast and unlimited juice, with a cracker, a toy and a visit from Santa. A vegetarian option is available. Tong and Bingley garden centres also run breakfast with Santa.
Dogs: Not allowedUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: yorkshiregardencentres.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grotto: The Magical Pocket Watch at Tong Garden Centre
Tong Garden Centre, Tong, Bradford · 6 miles from Leeds · run by Yorkshire Garden Centres
- When
- See dates below
- Price
- From £22.95
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £22.95 (£16.95 under 12 months)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Visit length
- 28 minutes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Christmas 2026 season; session dates and times are shown on the booking page
Prices: £22.95 per child; £16.95 under 12 months; maximum 2 adults per child ticket
A story-led visit of 25–30 minutes where children help solve the mystery of Santa's missing pocket watch before meeting him. Groups are limited to 3 children. Booking is online only, with no tickets sold on the day.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: yorkshiregardencentres.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Elf Village Father Christmas Experience at Harewood House
Harewood House, North Lawn, Harewood · 7 miles from Leeds · run by Harewood House
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £39.95
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £39.95–£49.95 depending on date
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Booking opens
- Monday 10 August
- Visit length
- 120 minutes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Weekends in December from Sat 5 Dec, plus every day 21–24 Dec 2026
Times: Sessions 9.45–11.45am, 12.05–2.05pm and 2.35–4.35pm
Prices: Child £39.95–£49.95, adult £39.95–£49.95 depending on date; member adult £19.95; babies under 12 months free (no gift). Includes entry to Harewood House, gardens and grounds
Two hours in Elf School with a sing-along, a show, craft tents and a private family visit to Father Christmas with a photo. Designed for children aged 1 and over. Arrive 20–30 minutes early. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the experience.
Parking: Included in the ticketAccess: Space for wheelchairs and adapted pushchairs is limited, so tell Harewood before booking. Pushchairs are left in the pram park, a short walk from the Elf Village.Dogs: Not allowedUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: harewood.org Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's North Pole and Santa's Cabin at Lotherton Hall
Lotherton Hall, The Christmas Experience, Aberford · 10 miles from Leeds
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Sun 3 Jan
- Price
- From £12
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- Cabin £12.00; North Pole from £16.95
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 21 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
Times: Santa's North Pole: evenings, weekends and school holidays. Santa's Cabin: weekday daytimes in term time.
Prices: Santa's North Pole from £16.95; Santa's Cabin £12.00 per child. Estate entry without Santa: £12.50 adults, £7.75 children aged 3+, under-2s free
The North Pole visit takes you past the elves to meet Mrs Claus and Santa at his home, for children of all ages. The Cabin is a shorter, quieter visit for pre-schoolers on weekday daytimes in term time. Each child takes home a gift.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: leedstickethub.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grotto at Stockeld Park
Stockeld Park, The Christmas Adventure, Wetherby · 11 miles from Leeds
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £31
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- From £31.00 (Silver ticket, includes illuminations, playgrounds and maze)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Booking opens
- Gold 27 June 2026, Silver 25 July 2026 (on sale now)
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Grotto open daily 21 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
Times: Grotto 9.40am–6.40pm daily (5.40pm on 24 Dec); you book an entry time for the grotto dome
Prices: Grotto is included in Silver tickets (child from £31.00, adult from £21.00, cheaper midweek) and Gold tickets (child from £42.50, adult from £32.50; Gold weekends 21 Nov–13 Dec and daily 18–24 Dec)
Your booked time is when you enter the North Pole village dome; you meet Santa 15 minutes to an hour later depending on how busy it is. Each child gets a gift on leaving and Santa offers a photo to buy. At least one adult per group, and adults need a ticket. Only assistance dogs are allowed.
Dogs: Not allowedChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: stockeldpark.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Magic Workshop at the National Coal Mining Museum
National Coal Mining Museum for England, Caphouse Colliery, Wakefield · 11 miles from Leeds · run by National Coal Mining Museum for England
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £14
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £14 (£15 on Christmas Eve)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 50 minutes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 21 Nov – 24 Dec 2026 (exact days shown on the booking page)
Prices: Child £14, adult £5.50 (Christmas Eve child £15, adult £6.50); under 6 months free, no present; £2.40 booking fee per booking. Museum entry is free
A group visit of up to about 50 minutes: a festive trail of about 10 minutes to the Pony Discovery Centre, a Christmas story, a craft, then Santa and a gift. Maximum 3 children per booking and 5 people per order. There is no minimum age. Arrive 20 minutes early and check in at Reception.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: ncm.org.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa and the Reindeer Rangers at Cannon Hall Farm
Cannon Hall Farm, Cawthorne · 16 miles from Leeds
- When
- Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £32.95
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £32.95 including farm admission
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 28, 29 Nov; 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Dec 2026
Times: Timed Santa visit; the rest of the day on the farm is at your own pace
Prices: Child £32.95 (includes farm admission, Santa visit and a gift from the Toy Factory); adult £16.95; under-2s free, no gift. VR sleigh ride £6 extra
Ticket covers all-day farm admission, a private visit with Santa in his lodge, and the reindeer. Children get a key to swap for any gift of their choice in the Toy Factory. Letter-writing to Santa and marshmallow toasting are on the farm.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: cannonhallfarm.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
The Elf Explorer Santa train at Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (returns to Oxenhope Station), Oxenhope · 16 miles from Leeds · run by Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
- When
- Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Times
- Departures 9.00, 10.30, 12.15, 13.45 and 15.15
- Price
- From £26
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £26–£36 per person depending on date
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: 28 & 29 Nov; 5, 6, 12, 13 Dec; 19–24 Dec 2026
Prices: Per person: £26 (28–29 Nov), £30 (5, 6, 12, 13 Dec), £34 (19–23 Dec), £36 (24 Dec). Child aged 0–6 months on a lap free; 7–23 months on a lap £10 extra
A show with singing and dancing elves, then a train journey of over an hour during which Father Christmas visits every family. Children get juice and chocolate coins and a gift; adults get mulled wine and a mince pie. Tickets include the diesel train or special bus to Oxenhope.
Parking: £4 timed slot at Oxenhope Station, pre-book onlyAccess: Narrow doors between carriages make it hard for wheelchair and scooter users to move through the train; an accessibility coach with a ramp can be booked.Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: elfexplorer.co.uk Book a visit - Awaiting 2026 dates
Santa's Cabin at the Merrion Centre
The Merrion Centre, main mall, Leeds · in central Leeds · run by The Merrion Centre
- When
- Awaiting 2026 dates
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- Last year: £5
- Gift included
- No
- Adults pay
- No
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Last year: Sat 22 Nov – Wed 24 Dec 2025; weekends and Fridays in Nov–Dec, then daily from 18 Dec
Prices: Last year: £5 per child; photo £4, present £2; up to 2 adults free, extra adults £2; maximum 6 people per booking
Last year every visit had to be pre-booked and walk-ins were not allowed. Special needs sessions ran in the first hour of selected dates with lower lighting and softer music. No 2026 dates have been announced yet.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: merrioncentre.co.uk Book a visit - Awaiting 2026 dates
White Rose Express Santa grotto
White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds · 3 miles from Leeds
- When
- Last year: 8 Nov – 24 Dec 2025
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Type
- Grotto visit
Children meet Santa inside a vintage train carriage. Last year tickets went on sale on 13 October. No 2026 dates have been announced yet.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: leedsstar.co.uk Book a visit
Compare at a glance
| Name | Where | When | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Special train at Middleton Railway | Hunslet (2 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec | £12.50 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto at Tingley Garden Centre | Tingley (4 mi) | Christmas 2026 season; session dates and times are shown on the booking page | £13.95 | Book ahead |
| Breakfast with Santa at Tingley Garden Centre | Tingley (4 mi) | Christmas 2026 season; session dates and times are shown on the booking page | £20.95 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto: The Magical Pocket Watch at Tong Garden Centre | Tong, Bradford (6 mi) | Christmas 2026 season; session dates and times are shown on the booking page | £22.95 | Book ahead |
| Elf Village Father Christmas Experience at Harewood House | Harewood (7 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec | £39.95 | Book ahead |
| Santa's North Pole and Santa's Cabin at Lotherton Hall | Aberford (10 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Sun 3 Jan | £12 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto at Stockeld Park | Wetherby (11 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £31 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Magic Workshop at the National Coal Mining Museum | Wakefield (11 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £14 | Book ahead |
| Santa and the Reindeer Rangers at Cannon Hall Farm | Cawthorne (16 mi) | Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £32.95 | Book ahead |
| The Elf Explorer Santa train at Keighley & Worth Valley Railway | Oxenhope (16 mi) | Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £26 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Cabin at the Merrion Centre | Leeds (0 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | Book ahead |
| White Rose Express Santa grotto | Leeds (3 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | Book ahead |
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Common questions
When do Santa’s grotto bookings open near Leeds?
Elf Village Father Christmas Experience at Harewood House: Monday 10 August; Santa's Grotto at Stockeld Park: Gold 27 June 2026, Silver 25 July 2026 (on sale now). Popular weekend slots can go within days, so it pays to be ready.
Which Leeds grottos include a present?
Santa Special train at Middleton Railway, Santa's Grotto at Tingley Garden Centre, Breakfast with Santa at Tingley Garden Centre, Santa's Grotto: The Magical Pocket Watch at Tong Garden Centre, Elf Village Father Christmas Experience at Harewood House and Santa's North Pole and Santa's Cabin at Lotherton Hall and 4 others include a gift for each child in the ticket price.
Are any Santa’s grottos near Leeds free?
None of the ones we checked is free. The cheapest is Santa's North Pole and Santa's Cabin at Lotherton Hall at £12, and the dearest Elf Village Father Christmas Experience at Harewood House at £39.95.
When do Santa’s grottos near Leeds open in 2026?
Confirmed so far: Santa's North Pole and Santa's Cabin at Lotherton Hall (Sat 21 Nov); Santa's Grotto at Stockeld Park (Sat 21 Nov); Santa's Magic Workshop at the National Coal Mining Museum (Sat 21 Nov); Santa and the Reindeer Rangers at Cannon Hall Farm (Sat 28 Nov); The Elf Explorer Santa train at Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (Sat 28 Nov); plus 2 more on the list. Every listing shows the date we last checked it.
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