Santa’s grottos · Christmas 2026
Santa’s grottos near Nottingham
We’ve checked 12 Santa’s grottos within 22 miles of Nottingham. 9 have confirmed 2026 dates, 3 are still to announce. The first opens on Saturday 14 November (Santa's Grotto at Belvoir Castle).
Where prices are published, entry runs from £9 to £29.95 per child. 8 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
Christmas at the Farm at White Post Farm
White Post Farm & Zoo, Farnsfield, Newark · run by White Post Farm
- When
- Sun 29 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 29 Nov – 24 Dec 2026, select dates
Times: Choose a Santa time slot when booking; arrive 10 minutes before
Prices: Prices from free to £36.95 depending on ticket type
Families meet Santa in a sleigh in a barn, hear a Christmas story and have a photo taken. Each child picks a gift from the elves' workshop. Ticket includes all-day farm entry, two Christmas Market coins each and a return visit. Maximum six people per sleigh; tickets are non-refundable.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: whitepostfarm.digitickets.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grotto at Nottingham Castle
Nottingham Castle, Nottingham · in central Nottingham
- When
- From Tue 1 Dec
- Times
- 11am–4pm daily
- Price
- From £9
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £9 children 1–15, includes a gift
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: 1 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027, closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day
Prices: Children 1–15 £9 including a gift; under 1s free (no gift); adults without an annual pass £9, adults with an annual pass free
Under 1s get in free but do not receive a gift. Adults are charged £9 unless they hold an annual pass.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: nottinghamcastle.org.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Steam Train Adventure at Great Central Railway (Nottingham)
Great Central Railway Nottingham, Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, Ruddington · 5 miles from Nottingham · run by Great Central Railway Nottingham
- When
- Saturday 5 December
- Times
- Departures 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm
- Price
- Tickets from £12.50
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 80 minutes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: Saturday 5 December 2026
80-minute return steam journey from Ruddington Fields towards Loughborough, with a brief pause at Rushcliffe Halt. Every child gets a plush toy steam engine, a juice, a baked treat and an activity book; adults get a mince pie.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: gcrn.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas Woodlands at Manor Farm
Manor Farm, East Leake · 9 miles from Nottingham
- When
- Sun 29 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £29.95
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £39.95 (2–16 years); £29.95 under 2
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 15 minutes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Sun 29 Nov; weekends from 5 Dec; Mon–Wed 21–23 Dec; Thu 24 Dec
Times: Farm 8:30am–5pm (2pm on 24 Dec); woodlands 9am–1:30pm and 2:15pm–5pm (9am–1:45pm on 24 Dec)
Prices: Adult £19.95; child (2–16) £39.95; under 2 £29.95; babe in arms (siblings only) free; reindeer food £2.50. Prices vary by date.
Ticket covers all-day farm entry and woodland activities with a timed Santa slot (15-minute blocks), plus gingerbread decorating and reindeer food making. Advance online booking only; tickets cannot be refunded or moved. Only registered guide dogs are allowed.
Parking: Free parkingDogs: Not allowedChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: manorfarm.info Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grotto at Belvoir Castle
Belvoir Castle, Belvoir, Grantham · 16 miles from Nottingham
- When
- Sat 14 Nov – Wed 30 Dec
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Castle Christmas 'Deck the Halls' 14 Nov – 30 Dec 2026, grotto on selected dates
Grotto is part of the castle's Christmas season, which also has a mice trail and a Search for Santa at weekends. Book directly with the castle; the Santa price is not announced yet.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: granthamplanner.com Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grotto Experience at Matlock Farm Park
Matlock Farm Park, Matlock · 22 miles from Nottingham
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Wed 23 Dec
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 Dec 2026
Ticketed and pre-booked only. Includes full-day farm park entry, a craft workshop writing a letter to Santa, an ice tunnel walk-through, a gift from Santa and a return day pass. Prices are shown at booking.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: matlockfarmpark.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Winter Wonderland at Conkers
Conkers, Moira · 22 miles from Nottingham
- When
- From Sat 28 Nov
- Times
- Arrive 30 minutes before your timed slot
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Opens Sat 28 Nov 2026; Discovery Centre open from 10am daily
A trail with elf entertainment leads to Santa, then each child gets a token to choose their own gift. Free car parking; tickets are timed.
Parking: Free parkingChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: visitconkers.com Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grottos at Garden King
Garden King, Newhall, Swadlincote · 22 miles from Nottingham
- When
- From Fri 20 Nov
- Times
- Centre open Mon–Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 10am–4:30pm
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Santa Meet and Greet from 20 Nov; grotto with reindeer food making from 21 Nov; grotto with bear making from 28 Nov; breakfast with Santa and Festive Woods from 12 Dec
Several options: a Santa meet and greet, a group grotto with reindeer food making, a grotto where children build a plush teddy first, and a breakfast with Santa from 12 December. Prices are shown at booking.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: gardenking.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa Special Trains at Midland Railway Butterley
Midland Railway Butterley, Ripley
- When
- From Sun 29 Nov
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Visit length
- 60 minutes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: From Sun 29 Nov 2026; further dates shown on the booking page
Times: About one hour round trip; arrive 30 minutes early
Steam-hauled 1950s train (diesel backup possible). Every child gets a gift; all passengers get a cookie, and children get a colouring book. Puppet show in a heated marquee. Only assistance dogs allowed; refunds need 14 days' notice (minus £5).
Access: Limited accessibility for reduced mobilityDogs: Not allowedChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk Book a visit - Awaiting 2026 dates
Santa's Grotto at Rufford Abbey Country Park
Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton · 16 miles from Nottingham · run by Nottinghamshire County Council
- When
- Awaiting 2026 dates
- Price
- Not published
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- No
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Last year: 29–30 Nov, 6–7, 13–14, 20–21 and 22–23 Dec 2025, 10:15am–4pm
Last year only children meeting Santa needed a ticket; adults and other children went in free, with up to two adults per child. Standard car park charges applied.
Access: Wheelchairs and pushchairs fine; the courtyard has cobblesChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk Details - Awaiting 2026 dates
Meet Father Christmas at Clumber Park
Clumber Park (National Trust), Worksop · 22 miles from Nottingham · run by National Trust
- When
- Awaiting 2026 dates
- Price
- Not published
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Last year: from 22 Nov 2025 to early Jan, with toddler storytime sessions on Wed and Thu in mid December
Last year there was a quieter toddler and baby Father Christmas session in the Old Parsonage; booking was essential for it.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk Details - Awaiting 2026 dates
Santa's Grotto at the National Ice Centre
National Ice Centre, Nottingham
- When
- Last year: 21–23 Dec 2025, 9am–5:30pm
- Price
- Not published
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Last year's package combined meeting Santa with ice skating; accompanying adults needed separate skating tickets.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk Details
Compare at a glance
| Name | Where | When | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas at the Farm at White Post Farm | Farnsfield, Newark | Sun 29 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto at Nottingham Castle | Nottingham (0 mi) | From Tue 1 Dec | £9 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Steam Train Adventure at Great Central Railway (Nottingham) | Ruddington (5 mi) | Saturday 5 December | £12.50 | Book ahead |
| Christmas Woodlands at Manor Farm | East Leake (9 mi) | Sun 29 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £29.95 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto at Belvoir Castle | Belvoir, Grantham (16 mi) | Sat 14 Nov – Wed 30 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto Experience at Matlock Farm Park | Matlock (22 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Wed 23 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Winter Wonderland at Conkers | Moira (22 mi) | From Sat 28 Nov | — | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grottos at Garden King | Newhall, Swadlincote (22 mi) | From Fri 20 Nov | — | Book ahead |
| Santa Special Trains at Midland Railway Butterley | Ripley | From Sun 29 Nov | — | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto at Rufford Abbey Country Park | Ollerton (16 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | — |
| Meet Father Christmas at Clumber Park | Worksop (22 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | — |
| Santa's Grotto at the National Ice Centre | Nottingham | Awaiting 2026 | — | — |
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Common questions
Which Nottingham grottos include a present?
Christmas at the Farm at White Post Farm, Santa's Grotto at Nottingham Castle, Santa's Steam Train Adventure at Great Central Railway (Nottingham), Santa's Grotto Experience at Matlock Farm Park, Winter Wonderland at Conkers and Santa Special Trains at Midland Railway Butterley and 2 others include a gift for each child in the ticket price.
Are any Santa’s grottos near Nottingham free?
None of the ones we checked is free. The cheapest is Santa's Grotto at Nottingham Castle at £9, and the dearest Christmas Woodlands at Manor Farm at £29.95.
When do Santa’s grottos near Nottingham open in 2026?
Confirmed so far: Santa's Grotto at Belvoir Castle (Sat 14 Nov); Santa's Grottos at Garden King (Fri 20 Nov); Winter Wonderland at Conkers (Sat 28 Nov); Christmas at the Farm at White Post Farm (Sun 29 Nov); Christmas Woodlands at Manor Farm (Sun 29 Nov); plus 4 more on the list. Every listing shows the date we last checked it.
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