Christmas is magical, but also quite hard work for parents and nannies! One of the strongest memories many of us have is of meeting Santa … so here’s our rundown of some of the best Father Christmas experiences available this Christmas.
Santa at ZSL London Zoo
Between 9-24 December, London Zoo offers a wonderful grotto and a range of ways to meet Father Christmas. The simplest is to book a ticket for zoo (£27.95 per child or £12.00 for those under three). This will give you the opportunity to meet the reindeer, tour the grotto and be given a gift to take away. There are festive craft activities with Mrs Claus and the elves will help your child make gifts for the zoo animals.
For a more immersive experience the zoo also offers breakfast with Santa (£40.00 for under threes, child ticket £55.95, adults £39.95, concessions £37.90). This includes feeding the reindeer with Father Christmas. And of course you’ve then got all day to explore the zoo.
Funky Father Christmas at Portobello Green
There’s still time to plant a trip to Portobello Green on either 9 and 10 December. The Portobello Winter Festival is a very different Christmas experience. Less elves, a wonder of wizards, lots of live music including a calypso band and even a visit from the Yeti! There’s also a classic Santa’s grotto and a great market stall offering hampers and stocking fillers and for the adults on hand, one of the UK’s best rum shacks.
Ministry of Christmas Santa experience
Yes, there is a Ministry of Christmas and it trains professional Father Christmases! But don’t worry, this is not a myth-busting exercise but a wonderful Victorian extravaganza. Based in the Ragged School Museum. A former pauper school for London’s destitute children. It includes helping the elves to get ready for Christmas, some arts and crafts activity and a visit with Father Christmas who will give each child a traditional gift to take away. Bonus points to the Ministry of Christmas approach are that the six times daily ticketed sessions mean there is no queuing. Although booking is therefore essential (£22.50 per child, adults and babies free!)
Park Santa
From 17 November to 1 January Santa Claus can be found in his grotto in Hyde Park. The grotto is open from 10am to 6pm (remember to take torches for late afternoon or evening visits). The visit to Father Christmas is free, although the Toy Factory in Winter Wonderland is a charging venue. Hyde Park at Christmas is an entertainment in itself. Which is a good thing as you can expect long queues for this very popular activity.
If you’ve enjoyed this Elite Nanny Guide, why not explore our Elite Guide to public transport?