Top 20 Santa's grottoes, from the National Trust

With Christmas fast approaching Santa is bound to be getting busy, but he's promised to make some special stop-offs in his hectic festive schedule and help make family visits to the National Trust extra-magical this December.

Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland many of the National Trust's houses and gardens will be helping Santa with amazing locations for his grottos; from atmospheric woods and ancient forests to castle towers and historic courtyards, these enchanting grottos will fill the whole family with Christmas cheer.

Powis Castle and Garden, Powys

Santa's Castle Grotto, 20-21, 27-28 November 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19 December 1pm - 3pm  

Join Santa for an Edwardian Christmas in the Castle, which will be traditionally dressed with festive decorations. All tickets £2. Booking not required. For more information please call 01938 551929.        

Florence Court, County Fermanagh

Magical Christmas at Florence Court, 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19 December 12pm- 7:30pm

Meet Santa and Mrs Claus in the basement of this charming Georgian house and enjoy the amazing Christmas spectacle. Adults £5 and children £10. Booking essential. For more information please call 028 6634 8249.

Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire

Sudbury's special Christmas weekends, 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19 December 11am - 5pm

Join the jolly jingle trail where guests will be serenaded by delightful seasonal sounds as they search for the nativity scene. Pay a visit to Father Christmas in his Toyland grotto from 11am - 3.30pm, where a present will be waiting for all the good boys and girls. Normal admission charges apply plus an additional event charge of £4 per child to visit Father Christmas. Booking not required. For more information please call 01283 585337. 

Ham House and Garden, Surrey

Family carol concerts, 4, 11 and 18 December 4.30pm - 6pm

For a magical Christmas experience, join Ham House for a festive family sing along concert. Father Christmas will pay a special visit to give out presents to all the children. Adults £16 and children £9. Booking essential. For more information please call 0844 249 1895.

Uppark House and Garden, West Sussex

A family Christmas at Uppark, 4-5 and 12 December 11am - 3pm

In this beautiful house, there will be decorations and lots of exciting Christmas craft activities for children, perfectly rounded off with a visit to see Father Christmas. Adults £3.50 and children £5.50. Adult National Trust members go free. Booking not required. For more information please call 01730 825 415.      

Erddig, Wrexham

Christmas market and Father Christmas winter wonderland, 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19 December 10am - 5pm

Enjoy a traditional Christmas market and find those extra special presents and unusual stocking fillers. Discover picturesque wooden chalets and over thirty stalls offering hand crafted gifts. Hear festive live music and enjoy tasty food and drink, plus Father Christmas will be in his winter wonderland, complete with toy workshop. Free entry plus. aults £2 and children £4 to enter the Winter Wonderland. Please arrive early to ensure you get your ticket to visit Father Christmas. Booking not required. For more information please call 01978 355314.

Belton House, Lincolnshire

Santa in the Stables, 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19 December 12pm - 3pm

Meet Santa in the beautifully decorated stables where the Christmas story began. All tickets £3.50. Booking not required. For more information please call 01476 566116.

East Riddlesden Hall, West Yorkshire

Santa's Grotto, 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19

Come and enjoy a magical visit to Santa's grotto in this cosy Hall. Good girls and boys will receive a special gift from Santa. Normal admission charges apply. £4 per child to visit Santa. Booking essential. For more information, please call 01535 607075.

Washington Old Hall, Tyne & Wear

Santa's visit, 5 and 12 December 11am - 4pm

Excited girls and boys waiting to visit Santa will be entertained with Christmas crafts and face painting. The tearoom will be open too. £7.50 per child. Booking essential. For more information please call 0191 4166879.   

Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire

Santa at the Farm, 11 December 10am - 4pm

Visit Santa at the fireside in the festive farmhouse kitchen and receive a small Christmas decoration made by his elves. Enjoy the nativity scene with Pudding the donkey and then take a train ride together. Adults £3.50 and children £5.50. Children under 3 not visiting Santa are free. Booking essential. For more information please call 0845 459 8900.   

Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire

Christmas in the Stable Courtyard, 11-12 December 11am - 4pm

Get into the festive spirit by listening to the brass band playing traditional Christmas carols in the Stable Courtyard amid the scent of mulled wine and roast chestnuts, while Father Christmas hands out special presents from his grotto. Normal admission charges apply plus an additional event charge of £3 per child to visit Father Christmas. Booking not required. For more information please call 01223 206000.

Dunster Castle, Somerset

Father Christmas at the Castle, 11-12 December 11am - 3pm

Visit Father Christmas in his enchanting Castle grotto and receive a special present. £4 per child. Booking not required. For more information please call 01643 821314.

Wightwick Manor and Gardens, West Midlands

Father Christmas at Wightwick Manor, 11-12 and 18-19 December 11am - 4.30pm

Bring the children along to visit Father Christmas in this beautiful manor house grotto, where they will receive a special free gift. Children £4 and accompanying adults 50p. Booking not required. For more information please call 01902 761400.

Biddulph Grange Garden, Staffordshire

Santa at Biddulph Grange, 11-12 and 18-19 December 11.30am - 3pm

Follow the festive trail to find Santa in his secret garden grotto waiting to hear what the girls and boys want for Christmas. Normal admission charges apply. Booking not required. For more information please call 01782 517999.

Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk

Christmas at Oxburgh, 11-12 and 18-19 December 11am - 6pm

Come and see Oxburgh Hall in all its festive splendour, dressed for a traditional family Christmas. Children can enjoy craft activities and a storyteller in the afternoon, plus Santa will be paying a special visit too. Enjoy musical entertainment in the early evening, including courtyard carols around the tree from 4 - 4.30pm. Don't forget to indulge yourself with hot chestnuts, mince pies and mulled wine and pop to the gift shop for some last minute shopping. Adults £5 and children £2. £3 to meet Santa and his elves (includes present) from 11am. Free admission to the garden and estate. Traditional turkey dinner available from 12-2pm. Booking not required. For more information please call 01366 328258.

Castle Drogo, Devon

Drogo Christmas, 11-12 and 18-23 December 11am - 4pm

Return to the 1930s for this popular event with its wonderful Christmas atmosphere. See parts of the Castle traditionally decorated and visit Father Christmas in his fantastic grotto where children can receive a special present. Winter admission prices apply plus an additional event charge of £2 per child to visit Father Christmas, including National Trust members. Booking not required. For more information please call 01647 433306.   

Sutton House, London

Christmas carols and Santa's grotto, 18 December 5pm - 6.15pm

The last chance to visit Father Christmas at this original Tudor house before enjoying a good old fashioned sing along to your festive favourites. Adults £5 and children £2.50. Booking advisable. For more information please call 020 8986 2264.

Dunham Massey, Cheshire

Father Christmas comes to Dunham, 18-19 December 12pm - 3pm

Enter the magical world of Santa's grotto in the stables of this spectacular Georgian house and then take a family walk through Britain's largest Winter Garden. Normal admission charges apply. Booking not required. For more information please call 0161 9411025.

Hidcote Manor Garden, Gloucestershire

Festive trail and last chance Santa, 18-19 December 1pm - 3pm

Take part in the exciting '12 Days of Christmas' trail that leads to Santa's enchanting grotto. Santa will be bringing two extra special guests with him - his friendly reindeer. All tickets £3, includes trail and photograph. Booking not required. For more information please call 01386 438333.

Stourhead, Wiltshire

Meet Father Christmas, 19 December 1pm - 4pm

Don't miss Santa as his sleigh stops at this magnificent mansion with presents for all the children. Normal admission charges apply plus an additional event charge of £5 per child to visit Father Christmas. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking not required. For more information please call 01747 841152.

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