Santa’s grottos · Christmas 2026
Santa’s grottos near Liverpool
We’ve checked 14 Santa’s grottos within 26 miles of Liverpool. 12 have confirmed 2026 dates, 2 are still to announce. The first opens on Saturday 14 November (Christmas at Gulliver's World, Warrington).
Where prices are published, entry runs from £14 to £45 per child. 10 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
North Pole Experience Liverpool
Otterspool Adventure, Otterspool Drive, Aigburth, Liverpool · 4 miles from Liverpool · run by TNPX Ltd
- When
- Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Times
- Session times on the booking site
- Price
- From £45
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- From £45
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 28 Nov – 24 Dec 2026, limited-capacity sessions
Prices: From £45 per ticket; pay half now, balance due 1 November
A 3 to 3.5 hour visit: elf workshop, gingerbread decorating, ice rink, reindeer food and a visit to Father Christmas; food and drink on sale. SENsational sessions are offered. Professional photos are sold; you cannot take your own in Father Christmas's cabin.
Parking: Free on-street parking on Otterspool Drive, none on siteAccess: Wheelchair access in all indoor and outdoor areas; pushchairs not allowed in some areas, so bring a car seat or carrier.Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: thenorthpoleexperience.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas Grotto at Otterspool Adventure
Otterspool Adventure Centre, Aigburth, Liverpool · 4 miles from Liverpool · run by Otterspool Adventure Centre Limited
- When
- Fri 4 Dec – Fri 18 Dec
- Times
- 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Price
- See the booking page for prices.
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Fridays 4, 11 and 18 December 2026
Ride the Snowtrail Express, meet Santa privately and receive a gift from him, with the Winter Adventure Playground and indoor soft play included. Booking is essential. Separate from the North Pole Experience on the same site.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: familytoolbox.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grotto at Dobbies Liverpool
Dobbies Liverpool, Speke, Liverpool · 7 miles from Liverpool · run by Dobbies
- When
- Sun 22 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Times
- Time slots from 10:00, 10 minutes apart
- Price
- See the booking page for prices.
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: 22 Nov – 24 Dec 2026, time slots daily from 10am
Children make a wish at a wishing well, walk through a North Pole village and meet Santa; each gets a collectable penguin soft toy. Maximum 2 adults per child and arrive no more than 5 minutes before your slot. The grotto may be outdoors. A quiet grotto for children with additional needs runs on selected December dates.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: events.dobbies.com Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Breakfast at Dobbies Liverpool
Dobbies Liverpool, Speke, Liverpool · 7 miles from Liverpool · run by Dobbies
- When
- Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Times
- Sessions start from 08:30
- Price
- See the booking page for prices.
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 90 minutes
- Type
- Breakfast with Santa
Dates: 28 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
Family breakfast at your own table, a visit from Santa, tree decorating and games; each child takes home a mini Christmas tree and a gift. Suits ages 3 to 10. Traditional and plant-based breakfasts; tell them about allergies in advance. Dogs are not allowed at this event.
Dogs: Not allowedUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: events.dobbies.com Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Secret Forest
Orrell Hill Woods, Hightown, Liverpool · 8 miles from Liverpool · run by Sidestep Events Ltd
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Times
- Timed sessions through the day and evening
- Price
- From £18.15
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- From £18.15
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 21 Nov – 24 Dec 2026, sessions through the day and evening
Prices: From £18.15 general admission (includes 10% booking fee); light trail only £16.50; babies under 12 months free if held
A woodland light trail, an indoor Christmas hub with Santa and a real reindeer meeting; allow 2 to 2.5 hours. Young children get a soft toy. Some time slots had already sold out by mid-September. Only assistance dogs are allowed.
Access: Wheelchairs and prams fine, but avoid small wheels as paths get muddy. SEN sessions have effects switched off.Dogs: Not allowedUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: santassecretforest.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Story Time with Santa at Liverpool Town Hall
Liverpool Town Hall, Liverpool city centre · run by Liverpool City Halls
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- From £22.50 on most dates
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- No
- Visit length
- 45 minutes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Weekends from 5 Dec, daily 18–22 Dec and 24 Dec 2026
Times: 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 15:00, 16:30 (24 Dec: 11:30, 13:00, 14:30)
Prices: £5.00–£27.00 depending on date; from £22.50 on most dates including admin fee; one adult free per child ticket
Father Christmas and Buddy the Elf tell stories and sing, then each child shares their wish and gets a gift. Suitable for ages 2 to 10; babies in arms free. Maximum 20 children per session and sessions last 45 minutes to an hour.
Access: Quiet sessions on 5, 12, 19 and 20 December at 10:00 or 15:00.Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: liverpoolcityhalls.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grotto at Walton Hall and Gardens
Walton Hall and Gardens, Higher Walton, Warrington · 16 miles from Liverpool · run by Warrington Disability Partnership
- When
- Sat 28 Nov – Tue 22 Dec
- Times
- 10am – 4pm (some Sundays 10:30am or 11am start)
- Price
- From £14
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £14
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Weekends from 28 Nov, plus 21 and 22 Dec 2026
Prices: £14 per child (includes booking fee, Santa visit, present and puzzle trail); £2 per adult
Run by Warrington Disability Partnership. Each child gets a present and a puzzle trail; extra photos and merchandise are sold on site.
Access: Described as fully accessible.Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: waltonhallgardens.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Father Christmas at the Farm, Tatton Park
Tatton Park, Knutsford · 26 miles from Liverpool
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- £14.00 child, £12.50 adult
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £14.00
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 21–22, 28–29 Nov; 5–6, 12–13, 19–20 and 22–24 Dec 2026
Times: 10:30am – 4pm (last entry 3pm); Santa visit slots every 30 minutes from 10:30
Farmyard event with a nativity scene, live music and roaming entertainers; children make reindeer food in the Mill and get a gift from Santa. Dogs welcome, with a separate Santa Paws dog event on 18 December. Booking essential.
Parking: Included with parkland vehicle entry; 10% off if pre-booked onlineDogs: WelcomeChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: tattonpark.org.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas at Gulliver's World, Warrington
Gulliver's World, Warrington
- When
- Sat 14 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- From £12.00 (off-peak North Pole Express)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: 14 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
Prices: Packages from £12.00 (off-peak North Pole Express experience) to £39.00 (Twinkle, includes Land of Lights); main packages £28–£35; Festive Breakfast £34
Ride the North Pole Express to meet Santa in his grotto; children choose their own gift from the Elf Workshop. A theme park, so the price depends on the package chosen.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: gulliversworldresort.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
The Hayloft Santa Experience
The Hayloft, Sandy Lane Farm, Bold, near Widnes · run by The Hayloft
- When
- Sun 6 Dec – Thu 24 Dec
- Times
- From 9:30am; sessions last 50 to 55 minutes
- Price
- From £21.50
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £21.50
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Sunday 6 – Thursday 24 December 2026
Prices: Child £21.50, under-1s £8; adults £7.50 (maximum 2 per family), additional adults £15
Meet the elves, make reindeer food, ride the miniature Christmas railway, then hear a story from Santa in his grotto; every child gets a gift. Outdoors but undercover, so dress for the weather. Tickets are limited for each time slot, so early booking is recommended.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: skiddle.com Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grotto at Sefton Meadows
Sefton Meadows Garden Centre, Maghull
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Times
- Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm
- Price
- See the booking page for prices.
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Adults pay
- No
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: 21 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
Online booking advised and spaces are limited. Breakfast with Santa (half English or pancakes for children) is a separate sit-down ticket for ages 12 and under.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: seftonmeadows.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Winter Wonderland Wirral
Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead · 2 miles from Liverpool
- When
- Thu 10 Dec – Sun 13 Dec
- Times
- Thu/Fri 4–9pm, Sat 12–9pm, Sun 12–7pm
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Event
Dates: Thu 10 & Fri 11 Dec 4–9pm, Sat 12 Dec 12–9pm, Sun 13 Dec 12–7pm 2026
Prices: Ticket needed for every adult and child; babies under 1 free. See the booking page for prices.
A four-day park event with a woodland light trail, Alpine market village, fairground, giant snow globe and Santa's Grotto. The grotto price is not published yet. Tickets are non-refundable.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: tickettailor.com Book a visit - Awaiting 2026 dates
Santa at Knowsley Safari
Knowsley Safari, Prescot
- When
- Awaiting 2026 dates
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- Last year: £21.50 evening
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Last year: evening grotto 4–23 Dec, daytime grotto on selected dates 6–24 Dec 2025
Prices: Last year: evening grotto £21.50 for 1 child (£43 for 2); daytime visit needed a park admission ticket
Every child gets a large plush toy from Santa. The evening visit pairs with the Enchanted light trail; leave 30 minutes before or 1 hour after it. A SEN evening runs on 9 December.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk Book a visit - Awaiting 2026 dates
Santa's Grotto Experience at The Lake House
The Lake House, Waterloo, Liverpool · 4 miles from Liverpool
- When
- Awaiting 2026 dates
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Last year: Sunday 30 November, sessions 11am–12:30pm and 12:30pm–2pm
Children meet Santa, share wishes and may spot elves helping out. Booking was through Design My Night.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: thelakehousewaterloo.co.uk Book a visit
Compare at a glance
| Name | Where | When | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Pole Experience Liverpool | Aigburth, Liverpool (4 mi) | Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £45 | Book ahead |
| Christmas Grotto at Otterspool Adventure | Aigburth, Liverpool (4 mi) | Fri 4 Dec – Fri 18 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto at Dobbies Liverpool | Speke, Liverpool (7 mi) | Sun 22 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Santa's Breakfast at Dobbies Liverpool | Speke, Liverpool (7 mi) | Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Santa's Secret Forest | Hightown, Liverpool (8 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £18.15 | Book ahead |
| Story Time with Santa at Liverpool Town Hall | Liverpool city centre | Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto at Walton Hall and Gardens | Higher Walton, Warrington (16 mi) | Sat 28 Nov – Tue 22 Dec | £14 | Book ahead |
| Father Christmas at the Farm, Tatton Park | Knutsford (26 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £14 | Book ahead |
| Christmas at Gulliver's World, Warrington | Warrington | Sat 14 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| The Hayloft Santa Experience | Bold, near Widnes | Sun 6 Dec – Thu 24 Dec | £21.50 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto at Sefton Meadows | Maghull | Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Winter Wonderland Wirral | Birkenhead (2 mi) | Thu 10 Dec – Sun 13 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Santa at Knowsley Safari | Prescot | Awaiting 2026 | — | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto Experience at The Lake House | Waterloo, Liverpool (4 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | Book ahead |
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Common questions
Which Liverpool grottos include a present?
Christmas Grotto at Otterspool Adventure, Santa's Grotto at Dobbies Liverpool, Santa's Breakfast at Dobbies Liverpool, Santa's Secret Forest, Story Time with Santa at Liverpool Town Hall and Santa's Grotto at Walton Hall and Gardens and 4 others include a gift for each child in the ticket price.
Are any Santa’s grottos near Liverpool free?
None of the ones we checked is free. The cheapest is Santa's Grotto at Walton Hall and Gardens at £14, and the dearest North Pole Experience Liverpool at £45.
When do Santa’s grottos near Liverpool open in 2026?
Confirmed so far: Christmas at Gulliver's World, Warrington (Sat 14 Nov); Santa's Secret Forest (Sat 21 Nov); Father Christmas at the Farm, Tatton Park (Sat 21 Nov); Santa's Grotto at Sefton Meadows (Sat 21 Nov); Santa's Grotto at Dobbies Liverpool (Sun 22 Nov); plus 7 more on the list. Every listing shows the date we last checked it.
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