Santa’s Grotto Bournemouth 2021: After a difficult couple of years, no doubt you’ll want to make sure your children have a fantastic Christmas in 2021. Understandably, tickets for Santa’s Grottos to meet Father Christmas are selling out fast. I hope this list of 20 options will set you on the right path to find an abundance of Father Christmassy magic for all the family.
1. The Santa Show at Adventure Wonderland, Bournemouth
A new event that sold out in 2020, The Santa Show is a 30 minute all-singing, all-dancing Santa and elf extravaganza at this popular local theme park near Hurn Airport. When you visit, your children also have unlimited use of their extensive soft play , and you can also play a round of crazy golf and get crafty in the new Christmas craft cabin.
2. Christmas Lights and Reindeer Experience at Nutley Farm, near Wool
Running for the second year to raise funds for the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance, there are options still available to see the twinkling trees and Christmas lights (that include a 600m walkway) and their real reindeer, or to see Father Christmas and then meet the friendly reindeer.
3. Christmas at Paultons Park near Romsey
A top-notch theme park Boris approves of, where this year there is Santa’s Christmas Wish Show starring the big man himself with singing and dancing. Visit a winter-themed Peppa Pig World and brand-new park, Tornado Springs, lit with twinkling illuminations, seasonal music and a giant musical Christmas tree. You can also meet Frosty the Snowman and the Snow Princess as well as extra festive shows.
4. Father Christmas Magic at Farmer Palmers, near Wareham
This well-loved children’s farm has received the accolade of Trip Advisors’ Travellers’ Choice 2021 and has a couple of Santa’s Grotto options this year. When you visit for the day, you are given the option to book an add-on to meet Father Christmas in the ‘enchanted barn’. Also in the week before Christmas there is an opportunity to book separate tickets to meet the big man in red after-hours at a special twilight event. Read our posts on children’s animal farms and parks for more information about Farmer Palmers.
5. Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Stewarts Garden Centre, Christchurch and Wimborne
A periennial favourite, this successful garden centre group has three garden centres where you can meet Father Christmas. At the Christchurch santa’s grotto there are real reindeer to meet as part of the trip, and the other options have polar bear and penguin themes. Tickets sell out fast, but there are still some spaces available. Read our post on favourite local garden centres for more information on Stewarts.
6. Christmas at Longleat, Warminster
Although it is just over an hour in the car from Bournemouth and Poole, the fantastical Christmas put on at Longleat makes it well worth the journey. This year, you can enjoy Britains biggest singing Christmas Tree, complete with lights and a flurry of snow, a magical Christmas story and owl show, and — most importantly — the Santa train to meet Father Christmas in his woodland winter grotto.
7. Sail with Santa Harbour Cruise, Poole Harbour
Take to the water to meet Santa on this boat trip around scenic Poole Harbour, passing Brownsea Island, Sandbanks Peninsula, Studland Bay and more. On board listen to Christmas carols while enjoying a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. Santa walks around the deck meeting everyone with a bit of Christmas cheer and special presents for all the children.
8. Father Christmas visits Lollipops Soft Play
Visit this super Westbourne soft play for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon treat and meet Father Christmas in his magical grotto. Children can also post their letters to him in the special postbox, have a dance to the festive music and have fun in the soft play. Have a look at our post on soft plays in Bournemouth and Poole for more soft play options for your little ones.
9. Santa’s Virtual Sleigh Ride, Castlepoint Shopping Centre, Bournemouth
21 Dec: Santa and his sleigh will be parked outside M&S where children can meet him and are invited on his special 3D sleigh ride. Climb aboard and fly across the night sky with Santa and his reindeer, delivering presents to everybody’s home just like on Christmas Eve.
10. Post A Letter To Santa, Dolphin Center, Poole
Santa will be meeting children at the North Pole Post Office and hearing what they want this Christmas, whilst his elves will be entertaining, providing craft activities, games and dressing up too.
11. Santa’s Grotto, Sovereign Centre, Boscombe
Co-ordinated by the local Rotary Clubs, the Santa’s Grotto will be returning to the Sovereign Centre this December. Children are able to choose their gift from the present display. All profits go to three local charities.
‘Meet Santa’ Breakfasts Around Bournemouth and Poole
Various restaurants in the area are also putting on breakfast or brunch where you can meet Father Christmas. If this is something that interests you, here are some options:
- Breakfast with Santa: Compton Acres, Canford Cliffs
comptonacres.co.uk/breakfast-with-santa - Breakfast with Santa: Mr Mulligans, Bournemouth
mrmulligan.com/bournemouth - Breakfast with Santa: Harvester, Durley Chine, Bournemouth (and other locations)
harvester.co.uk/restaurants/southwest/thedurleyinnbournemouth/christmasbookings - Breakfast with Santa: Toby Carvery, Poole (and other locations)
tobycarvery.co.uk/restaurants/south-west/thefleetsbridgepoole/christmas - Brunch with Santa: The Riverside, Tuckton Bridge, Bournemouth
theriversidebournemouth.co.uk/brunch-with-santa - Breakfast with Santa: The Cliffhanger, Highcliffe, Christchurch
cliffhanger-restaurant.com/christmas-tribute-menu
18. [SOLD OUT] Santa’s Woodland Grotto at Upton Country Park, Poole
At this popular local park great for walks, this year you can go through a tunnel of lights, visit Santa in his natural wood cabin and receive a printed photograph to take home. There is also a nativity scene complete with real donkeys and the opportunity to meet majestic owls. The extensive play area is also available for children to enjoy with before or after your visit.
19. [SOLD OUT] Santa Specials at Moors Valley Railway, Ringwood
Ride on a miniature railway to meet Santa at his amazing station grotto with gifts for children and adults. There is mulled wine for adults and mince pies and cake to be enjoyed on your journey too.
20. A Dorset Christmas at The Tank Museum, Bovington
27-28 Nov: New for 2021, this staple tourist attraction is rolling out all the stops. Santa is, of course, arriving in style in an enormous tank and he will be walking around the museum to meet young visitors and hear what is on their Christmas list. There will also be Christmassy entertainment all day, local crafters and a childrens’ Christmas trail to enjoy.
That’s the end of our list, thank you for reading. Do you know of a Santa’s grotto Bournemouth 2021 we have missed or information we could add? Feel free to get in touch and let us know.
