Santa’s grottos · Christmas 2026
Santa’s grottos near Norwich
We’ve checked 8 Santa’s grottos within 22 miles of Norwich. 7 have confirmed 2026 dates, 1 is still to announce. The first opens on Saturday 14 November (The Polar Express Train Ride at Mid-Norfolk Railway).
Where prices are published, entry runs from £24.25 to £33.95 per child. 6 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's Enchanted Grotto at Winter Wonderland Norwich
Norfolk Showground, Norwich · 5 miles from Norwich · run by Winter Wonderland Norwich
- When
- Fri 20 Nov – Sun 3 Jan
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Winter Wonderland opens Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day. Grotto dates are announced separately.
Times: 20-30 Nov: Fri 4pm-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm. 1-20 Dec: Mon-Thu 4pm-9pm, Fri 4pm-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm. 21-25 Dec: Mon-Wed 11am-9pm, Christmas Eve 11am-7pm. 26 Dec-3 Jan: daily 12pm-9pm.
Prices: Entry to the site is free. The grotto, ice skating and rides need separate tickets; see the booking page for the grotto price.
A festive trail leads through the North Pole Post Office before you meet Santa. It sits inside a larger fair with an ice rink, fairground rides and an observation wheel, so the grotto is one ticket among several. The grotto is expected to sell out. Email bookings@winterwonderlandnorwich.com for parking, dog and access questions.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: winterwonderlandnorwich.com Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Magical Father Christmas Experience at ROARR!
ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure Park, Lenwade · 10 miles from Norwich
- When
- Fri 4 Dec – Wed 23 Dec
- Times
- Timed slots, roughly 2:40pm to 6:25pm
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Selected dates 4 to 23 December; 4, 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, 21, 22 and 23 December available, 19 and 20 December sold out
Each child collects a Passport to the North Pole, meets the Candy Cane Elf, gets a gingerbread treat, walks the Enchanted Winter Trail, sees Father Christmas and picks a gift from the Toy Emporium. Annual passholders get 10 percent off. Advance booking is required. A separate Bark in the Dark session lets dogs and owners visit Father Christmas.
Parking: Large on-site car park; parking is included with admission.Access: Accessible spaces in the on-site car park close to the main entrance; accessibility details at roarr.co.uk/accessibility.Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: roarr.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
The Polar Express Train Ride at Mid-Norfolk Railway
Mid-Norfolk Railway, Dereham Station, Dereham · 15 miles from Norwich · run by Mid-Norfolk Railway
- When
- Sat 14 Nov – Wed 23 Dec
- Price
- From £33.95
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 60 minutes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: 14-22 November and 2-23 December 2026
Prices: Standard £33.95 to £46.95, Deluxe £43.95 to £56.95, Premium £51.95 to £64.95, depending on date (Saver, Classic or Peak). Children are ages 2-17; under-2s travel free on an adult's lap.
A themed train ride to the North Pole, about 1 hour on board and 1.5 to 2 hours in total. You meet 'a certain man in red' on the way; no Santa gift is listed. Premium and Deluxe guests get a ceramic mug. Only service dogs are allowed.
Parking: Premium tickets: free parking at Dereham Station with a permit. Deluxe and Standard: free public car parks in Dereham town centre.Access: Wheelchair users can board and stay in their chairs. Support coach with a quiet space during performances. Limited Blue Badge parking. Accessible toilets at Dereham Station.Dogs: Not allowedChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: midnorfolkthepolarexpressride.com Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas at Bressingham Steam Museum
Bressingham Steam Museum, Bressingham, near Diss · 20 miles from Norwich
- When
- Sun 6 Dec – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 6, 12 and 13 December, then daily 19 to 24 December. Special SEN day on 5 December and Toddler Morning on 18 December.
Prices: See the booking page for standard prices. 25% off when booked between 23 September and 6 October 2026.
Father Christmas and his elves greet children aged 12 and under with a gift. The day also has a ride on the Santa Express and the Gallopers. No vouchers or other discounts are accepted for the event, apart from the early-booking offer. There is a quieter SEN day on 5 December and a Toddler Morning on 18 December.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: bressingham.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa Specials at North Norfolk Railway
North Norfolk Railway (Sheringham to Holt, Santa at Weybourne), Sheringham · 22 miles from Norwich · run by North Norfolk Railway
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Wed 23 Dec
- Price
- From £24.25
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 105 minutes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: Saturday 21 November to Wednesday 23 December, six departures a day
Times: Trains depart 10.00, 11.00, 12.25, 13.35, 14.50 and 15.50
Prices: Fares start from £24.25 per person, depending on time and date. Lowest fares on 21 and 22 November and on the 10.00 and 11.00 trains on 28 and 29 November. Private compartments £189.00 to £247.50. Under-1s £8.00 if not taking a seat.
Steam train from Sheringham to Holt and back, about 1 hour 45 minutes in all. On the return leg you walk through a Christmas Tree Kingdom at Weybourne and meet Father Christmas, who gives each child a wrapped gift. Mince pies and mulled cider for adults, hot chocolate and gingerbread for children. Every booking needs at least one paying child. Tickets are non-refundable. Only assistance dogs are allowed.
Access: Accessible compartment for up to two wheelchair users and four other passengers; call 01263 820800 to reserve.Dogs: Not allowedChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: nnrailway.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
The Christmas Experience at Wroxham Barns
Wroxham Barns, Hoveton
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Tue 22 Dec
- Price
- From £25
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £25 (children 2+)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 5-6, 12-13 and 19-22 December 2026
Times: Open 10am-5pm; you book a slot, which is the time you meet Santa. Arrive at least 15 minutes before it.
Prices: Children (2+) £25, adults £15, infants £10. Optional Build-a-Teddy workshop £20 per teddy.
Ticket covers a trail with a North Pole Post Office, a private meeting with Santa, a toy chosen with golden coins, Mrs Claus' show, reindeer food making, animal encounters and festive train rides. You stay as long as you like. Activities are indoors or undercover, but it is a farm, so wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes. Booking needs a 25 percent deposit, with the balance due 4 weeks before your visit. The grotto holds up to 14 people.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: wroxhambarns.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Magical Journey at Thursford
Thursford Collection, Thursford, near Fakenham · 22 miles from Norwich
- When
- See dates below
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Booking opens
- Tuesday 28 July
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Tickets went on sale on 28 July 2026; opening dates to be announced. Relaxed afternoon on Sunday 29 November.
Times: Entry slots 10:00-14:15 (daytime) or 14:30-20:00 (evening). Relaxed afternoon Sunday 29 November, 1:30-4:15pm.
Includes the Enchanted Journey of Light and a visit to Santa, with an age-matched gift for each child (birth to 9+). Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. A booking needs at least one paying adult and one paying child, with a maximum of 8 people. Babies under 12 months are free but get no gift. 2026 prices will be confirmed closer to the on-sale date. Dogs are not allowed beyond the car park except assistance dogs.
Parking: Free large car park; Blue Badge spaces are limited; 2-3 minute walk to the venue.Access: Described as fully accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs (none provided). Matting in the meadow; about 1 mile of walking.Dogs: Not allowedChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: thursford.com Book a visit - Awaiting 2026 dates
Festive Express at Bure Valley Railway
Bure Valley Railway, Aylsham Station, Aylsham · 11 miles from Norwich · run by Bure Valley Railway
- When
- Awaiting 2026 dates
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 60 minutes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: Last year: select dates from 6 December to Christmas Eve 2025
Last year the experience was a steam trip from Aylsham to Brampton and back, about an hour in all, with a treat box, a chat with Santa and a personalised gift for each child up to 15. It cost £26 per person, and babes in arms were free but got no present. Booking in advance was required; there were no walk-ups. No 2026 dates are published yet.
Parking: Free parking at both stations.Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: burevalleyrailway.co.uk Book a visit
Compare at a glance
| Name | Where | When | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa's Enchanted Grotto at Winter Wonderland Norwich | Norwich (5 mi) | Fri 20 Nov – Sun 3 Jan | — | Book ahead |
| Magical Father Christmas Experience at ROARR! | Lenwade (10 mi) | Fri 4 Dec – Wed 23 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| The Polar Express Train Ride at Mid-Norfolk Railway | Dereham (15 mi) | Sat 14 Nov – Wed 23 Dec | £33.95 | Book ahead |
| Christmas at Bressingham Steam Museum | Bressingham, near Diss (20 mi) | Sun 6 Dec – Thu 24 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Santa Specials at North Norfolk Railway | Sheringham (22 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Wed 23 Dec | £24.25 | Book ahead |
| The Christmas Experience at Wroxham Barns | Hoveton | Sat 5 Dec – Tue 22 Dec | £25 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Magical Journey at Thursford | Thursford, near Fakenham (22 mi) | Tickets went on sale on 28 July 2026; opening dates to be announced. Relaxed afternoon on Sunday 29 November. | — | Book ahead |
| Festive Express at Bure Valley Railway | Aylsham (11 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | Book ahead |
Don’t miss the Norwich grotto bookings
One email when it happens, nothing else. Unsubscribe with one click.
We use your email only for the alerts you tick. See our privacy notice.
Common questions
When do Santa’s grotto bookings open near Norwich?
Santa's Magical Journey at Thursford: Tuesday 28 July. Popular weekend slots can go within days, so it pays to be ready.
Which Norwich grottos include a present?
Magical Father Christmas Experience at ROARR!, Christmas at Bressingham Steam Museum, Santa Specials at North Norfolk Railway, The Christmas Experience at Wroxham Barns, Santa's Magical Journey at Thursford and Festive Express at Bure Valley Railway include a gift for each child in the ticket price.
Are any Santa’s grottos near Norwich free?
None of the ones we checked is free. The cheapest is Santa Specials at North Norfolk Railway at £24.25, and the dearest The Polar Express Train Ride at Mid-Norfolk Railway at £33.95.
When do Santa’s grottos near Norwich open in 2026?
Confirmed so far: The Polar Express Train Ride at Mid-Norfolk Railway (Sat 14 Nov); Santa's Enchanted Grotto at Winter Wonderland Norwich (Fri 20 Nov); Santa Specials at North Norfolk Railway (Sat 21 Nov); Magical Father Christmas Experience at ROARR! (Fri 4 Dec); The Christmas Experience at Wroxham Barns (Sat 5 Dec); plus 1 more on the list. Every listing shows the date we last checked it.
More in Norwich
- Pumpkin picking near Norwich6 pumpkin farms
- Christmas markets near Norwich9 Christmas markets and fairs