Santa’s grottos · Christmas 2026
Santa’s grottos near Oxford
We’ve checked 8 Santa’s grottos within 19 miles of Oxford. 8 have confirmed 2026 dates. The first opens on Friday 13 November (Christmas Illuminated Trail at Blenheim Palace).
Where prices are published, entry runs from £4.75 to £29.95 per child. 5 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
Find Santa's Reindeer at Waterperry Gardens
Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry, near Wheatley · 7 miles from Oxford
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Times
- 10am–5pm
- Price
- From £4.75
- Booking
- Just turn up
- Per child
- £4.75
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Event
Dates: Daily 21 Nov – 24 Dec
Prices: £4.75 per child (includes a prize); adults pay normal garden entry
A self-guided trail round the gardens to find Santa's missing reindeer; there is no Santa to meet. Children must be with an adult, and warm clothes and sensible footwear are advised.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: waterperrygardens.co.uk Details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas Grotto at Webbs, Millets Farm
Webbs, Millets Farm, Frilford · 8 miles from Oxford · run by Webbs
- When
- Sat 14 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £19.50 per extra child; bundles from £29.50 for 1 adult and 1 child
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 45 minutes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Saturdays 14 Nov – 19 Dec, Sundays 15 Nov – 20 Dec, selected weekdays 30 Nov – 9 Dec, daily 10 – 23 Dec, Christmas Eve
Times: Sat 9:30am–5:30pm; Sun 10am–4pm; 10–23 Dec 9:30am–5:30pm; 24 Dec 9:30am–3:30pm; some weekdays 2pm–5:30pm
Prices: 1 adult + 1 child £29.50; 2 adults + 2 children £55.50; 2 adults + 3 children £75.00; 2 adults + 4 children £94.50; extra adult £6.50, extra child £19.50, baby (up to 12 months) £8.50
The visit takes about 45 minutes and runs through five themed rooms before a one-to-one with Santa, a family photo, an activity in Mrs Claus's kitchen and a keepsake. Every child gets a gift.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: webbsdirect.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Steam into Christmas at Didcot Railway Centre
Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot · 9 miles from Oxford
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Wed 23 Dec
- Times
- Last admission 2:30pm on open days
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 5–6, 12–13, 19–20 and 22–23 Dec
Families look for Santa's lost reindeer around the 24-acre site and finish with a visit to Santa in his grotto. Ticket prices are on the booking page.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas with the Clauses at Fairytale Farm
Fairytale Farm, Chipping Norton · 17 miles from Oxford
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £25.99
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £25.99 (with gift)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 180 minutes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Selected dates 21 Nov – 24 Dec
Times: Most dates 10am–5pm; some weekend dates 9am–7pm; 24 Dec 9am–5pm; sensory evening sessions 5–6pm
Prices: Child (with gift) £25.99; adult/senior/older child £18.99; under 2 with gift £12.99; under 2 without gift free; registered carer free
One ticket covers farm entry, a live actor-led Christmas story, a private Santa visit, illuminations and the Alice's Wonderland ride. Allow about 3 hours.
Access: Sensory sessions for children and young people with SEND, with free carer admission; one full sensory day on 16 December.Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: fairytalefarm.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas at the Farm at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park
Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park, Hogshaw, near Buckingham · 17 miles from Oxford
- When
- Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £29.95
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £29.95 (ages 1–15)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Weekends from 28 Nov, then daily 19 – 24 Dec; SEN morning sessions 28–29 Nov and 5–6 Dec
Times: Farm access 10am–5:30pm on the day of your visit; arrive at least 30 minutes before your slot
Prices: Adult £17.50; child (1–15) £29.95; disabled visitor + carer £29.95; under 1 with gift £12.95; under 1 not taking part free; optional £4.95 date change
The ticket includes all-day farm access, an elf-guided walk, reindeer food and a mini tree to plant, then Father Christmas and a toy from the workshop. Late arrivals may not get in.
Access: Dedicated SEN morning sessions on 28–29 Nov and 5–6 Dec.Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: hogshawfarm.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa Steam Specials at Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway
Princes Risborough Station (Platform 4), Princes Risborough · 18 miles from Oxford · run by Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway
- When
- Sat 28 Nov – Wed 23 Dec
- Price
- From £24.50
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £24.50 (28–29 Nov), £29.50 (December)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 95 minutes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: 28–29 Nov; December Saturdays and Sundays (5–6, 12–13, 19–20 Dec) plus 22–23 Dec
Times: Departures 10:30, 12:30, 14:30; about 1 hour 35 minutes
Prices: 28–29 Nov £24.50 per person; December dates £29.50 per person (adults and children aged 1–12)
Steam trip in 1950s carriages to a North Pole station with a Santa's grotto, an Enchanted Workshop, a hot drink and a mince pie. Small dogs are allowed on the train on a short lead but not in the grotto; babes in arms get a small gift.
Parking: Chiltern Railways pay-and-display at the stationAccess: One wheelchair space (one person plus carer). Buggies must be left on Platform 4 or in the car.Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: chinnorrailway.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Meet Father Christmas at Beale Wildlife Park
Beale Wildlife Park, Lower Basildon, near Pangbourne · 19 miles from Oxford
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- See prices below
- Booking
- Book or turn up
- Per child
- Included in park admission
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: 5–6, 12–13 and 19–24 Dec
Times: Father Christmas is there each day except a lunch break; the park suggests avoiding 10–11am
Prices: Meeting Father Christmas is included in park admission; 15% off admission for December visits
Father Christmas visit comes with normal park entry rather than a separate grotto ticket. Members do not need to book; other visitors buy admission tickets.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: bealepark.org.uk Details - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Christmas Illuminated Trail at Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
- When
- Fri 13 Nov – Sun 3 Jan
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Fri 13 Nov 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027; Christmas Market 13 Nov – 20 Dec
An evening light trail through the grounds where you meet Father Christmas on the way round. Timed entry; tickets and parking are booked separately. Dogs are only allowed on certain nights.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: blenheimpalace.com Book a visit
Compare at a glance
| Name | Where | When | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Find Santa's Reindeer at Waterperry Gardens | Waterperry, near Wheatley (7 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £4.75 | Turn up |
| Christmas Grotto at Webbs, Millets Farm | Frilford (8 mi) | Sat 14 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Steam into Christmas at Didcot Railway Centre | Didcot (9 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Wed 23 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Christmas with the Clauses at Fairytale Farm | Chipping Norton (17 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £25.99 | Book ahead |
| Christmas at the Farm at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park | Hogshaw, near Buckingham (17 mi) | Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £29.95 | Book ahead |
| Santa Steam Specials at Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway | Princes Risborough (18 mi) | Sat 28 Nov – Wed 23 Dec | £24.50 | Book ahead |
| Meet Father Christmas at Beale Wildlife Park | Lower Basildon, near Pangbourne (19 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec | — | Either |
| Christmas Illuminated Trail at Blenheim Palace | Woodstock | Fri 13 Nov – Sun 3 Jan | — | Book ahead |
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Common questions
Which Oxford grottos include a present?
Find Santa's Reindeer at Waterperry Gardens, Christmas Grotto at Webbs, Millets Farm, Christmas with the Clauses at Fairytale Farm, Christmas at the Farm at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park and Santa Steam Specials at Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway include a gift for each child in the ticket price.
Are any Santa’s grottos near Oxford free?
None of the ones we checked is free. The cheapest is Find Santa's Reindeer at Waterperry Gardens at £4.75, and the dearest Christmas at the Farm at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park at £29.95.
When do Santa’s grottos near Oxford open in 2026?
Confirmed so far: Christmas Illuminated Trail at Blenheim Palace (Fri 13 Nov); Christmas Grotto at Webbs, Millets Farm (Sat 14 Nov); Find Santa's Reindeer at Waterperry Gardens (Sat 21 Nov); Christmas with the Clauses at Fairytale Farm (Sat 21 Nov); Christmas at the Farm at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park (Sat 28 Nov); plus 3 more on the list. Every listing shows the date we last checked it.
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