Santa’s naughty list is the most popular white lie British parents tell their kids.(1) Now it’s time to reward all that good behaviour by taking the little ones to a magical Christmas Grotto.
Scroll down for our full list of the best places to meet Santa across London for Christmas 2025.
In a hurry? Skim this quick list of the best Santa’s grottos in London for Christmas 2025:
The best places to see Santa in London by area:
- Central: There’s Hamleys’ world-famous Santa’s Grotto on Regent St, or John Lewis’ Enchanted Grotto nearby on Oxford St.
- North: Head to Alexandra Palace’s Santa’s Grotto in N22. Or by King’s Cross, there’s a Santa’s Grotto & Gingerbread Workshop raising money for GOSH.
- East: Visit The Black Santa’s Grotto at Noir Kringle in Shoreditch or the London Museum Docklands’ Victorian Santa’s Grotto.
- South: Meet cuddly animals and Santa at Vauxhall City Farm.
- West: Enjoy storytelling with Santa and meet a T.rex wearing a Christmas jumper at the Natural History Museum.
Best free Santa’s Grotto for Christmas 2025: London’s biggest free Christmas Grotto is in Winter Wonderland. You can meet Santa for free at the London Transport Museum, though adults have to pay £25 for entry.
Most unique Santa experience this year: Ride the Santa Steam Express to meet Santa aboard a vintage 1950s train.
Hamleys’ world-famous Santa’s Grotto
Where better to meet Santa than London’s most famous toy store? Stunning sets and joyful elf helpers turn this experience into pure festive theatre. For an extra sprinkling of magic, share your little one’s interests in advance when booking.
Event details
Dates: Saturday 15 November – Wednesday 24 December 2025
Ages: Great for 2-10 years
Where: Hamleys Regent Street, W1B
Prices: Tickets from £65
Meet Santa at London Zoo
At the ZSL London Zoo, children join a festive animal-activity session before visiting Santa in a grotto styled inside the zoo, with the fun of wildlife around them.
Perfect for families who want a half-day of animals plus a seasonal treat.
Event details
Dates: Saturday 22 November – Wednesday 24 December 2025
Ages: Great for 2–10 years
Where: London Zoo, NW1
Prices: From £18.50 plus zoo entry
Santa Land at Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is home to London’s biggest free grotto. Mrs Claus will greet you from the grotto balcony as you queue. Once inside the cosy cabin, well-behaved youngsters get a gift from Santa himself.
Event details
Dates: Friday 14 November 2025 – Wednesday 1 January 2026
Ages: All ages
Where: Hyde Park, W1K
Prices: Free entry for Santa’s Grotto; Winter Wonderland off-peak entry from £1
Shrek’s Grotto at Shrek’s Adventure!
Swap the North Pole for a swamp! At this quirky London grotto, kids meet “Shrek Santa” in a fun, immersive grotto adventure where they’ll also get sweet treats and a photo with the big green ogre.
Event details
Dates: 30 November – 24 December 2025
Ages: Ideal for 3–10 year olds
Where: Shrek’s Adventure! London, County Hall, South Bank, SE1
Prices: From £21.00 adult
Santa’s Grotto at Vauxhall City Farm
Santa and his elves have been busy prepping the farm for extra festive fun this December.
After a private five-minute meet-and-greet with Santa, children leave with a special gift and families are free to snap their own photo together.
Outside the grotto you’ll discover a Winter Light Trail from 29 Nov to 21 Dec, a Christmas Market (6–7 Dec), real tree sales from 22 Nov, and cuddly animal encounters and carol singing throughout.
Event details
Dates: Weekends from 30 November – Sunday 21 December 2025
Ages: Great for 2–10 years
Where: Vauxhall City Farm, SE11
Prices: Tickets from ~£9 for children, adults free
Santa’s Grotto at Anya Hindmarch
Join Father Christmas on a mini-adventure in Chelsea. Walk through candy-cane forests and crunchy snow, dip into twinkling icicle caves and end peaceful-fire-side with a seasonal story and a special gift.
The experience is about 30 minutes long, recommended for ages 2-8 (but children of all ages are welcome), costs £60 for one adult + one child and £45 for each extra person, and takes place from 15 November to 24 December.
Event details
Dates: Friday 15 November – Wednesday 24 December 2025
Ages: 2–8 years
Where: The Village Hall, 11 Pont St, Belgravia, London SW1X 9EH
Prices: £60 for 1 adult + 1 child, thereafter £45 per additional person
Santa’s Grotto at the Fujifilm House of Photography
Covent Garden’s hidden gem: the top floor of the FUJIFILM House of Photography is transformed into an enchanting cabin, kids take part in craft workshops, enjoy interactive photo moments and leave with prints like snow globes, baubles and their digital files.
Event details
Dates: Friday 7 November – Wednesday 24 December 2025
Ages: All ages welcome
Where: FUJIFILM House of Photography, 8-9 Long Acre, WC2E 9LH
Prices: From £30 (includes one child + up to two adults)
Santa Steam Express
Climb aboard a vintage steam train departing from London Victoria and join Father Christmas and his elves for a 90-minute magical ride.
Sit in beautifully decorated 1950s/60s carriages, enjoy sing-along fun and meet Santa in a cosy, festive setting.
Every child gets a traditional gift, snack, drink and activity sheet; grown-ups get tea or coffee and a mince pie. There are four departures on Saturday 20 December and Monday 22 December 2025.
Event details
Dates: Saturday 20 & Monday 22 December 2025
Ages: All ages welcome
Where: London Victoria Station, SW1E
Prices: From approx. £55 per person
Santa’s Storytime at the Natural History Museum
Settle onto cosy cushions in the museum’s winter-wonderland gallery and listen in as Santa shares a magical Christmas story full of surprises and festive cheer.
Every child leaves with a roaring T. rex tree decoration, then you can grab a selfie with the museum’s famous animatronic dinosaur in a seasonal jumper.
Event details
Dates: Monday 1 – Sunday 21 December 2025
Ages: All ages welcome
Where: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD
Prices: From £18 for children; includes up to two adults
Santa’s Grotto at London Museum Docklands
Step into a Dickensian-style grotto inside the museum’s Sailortown gallery and meet Santa in a charming, old-school setting.
It’s quick and cozy (about 15 minutes) and every child receives a thoughtful, minimal-plastic gift inspired by Victorian toys. There are quiet, sensory-friendly sessions available in the mornings too.
Event details
Dates: Now until Tuesday 23 December 2025
Ages: Great for 2–10 years
Where: London Museum Docklands, No. 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL
Prices: From £14.50 (children’s ticket; adults free ticketed)
Santa’s Enchanted Grotto at John Lewis Oxford Street
Take your little ones on a fun festive adventure in Oxford Street where they’ll wander through a magical LEGO hot-air-balloon world before meeting Santa in his Post Office and leaving with a special LEGO™ set.
It’s a standout experience made for ages 1-15 (but all ages welcome).
Event details
Dates: Thursday 27 November – Wednesday 24 December 2025
Ages: 1-15 years
Where: John Lewis & Partners Oxford Street, London W1C
Prices: £25 per child; £5 per adult (booking fees apply)
Santa’s Storytelling at Chelsea Physic Garden
Step into a winter greenhouse in Chelsea where Father Christmas shares a cosy festive story and children snuggle up while adults enjoy the atmosphere.
Each child leaves with a gift and your time slot gives you full access to the garden, with sessions running between 10 am and 3 : 50 pm on selected dates in December.
Event details
Dates: Weekend dates in December
Ages: All ages welcome
Where: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS
Prices: £13 per child (includes gift) and £11 for each adult
Santa’s Secret Village at Hobbledown Heath
Hounslow, TW14
You can book several different experiences to meet Santa at Hobbledown Heath. You can visit Santa’s Village, which has trails and lights. There is festive cookie decorating along with meeting Santa and receiving a gift. See also their toddler storytime grotto experiences.
How to book Santa’s Secret Village at Hobbledown Heath
Book from £23.00 online at the Hobbledown Heath website for selected dates in November and December.
Santa’s Grotto at Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace, N22
At Alexandra Palace this Christmas, children can meet Santa, receive a gift, and have their photo taken to mark the occasion.
How to book Santa’s Grotto at Alexandra Palace
Book from £16.00 online at the Alexandra Palace website. The Grotto is open from the 29th November – 23rd December. Book early to avoid disappointment with days selling out.
Christmas Wonderland
Enfield, EN2
With this experience at Springtime Nurseries, you start at the station platform for a ride through Wonderland. Santa then greets you before continuing on to where kids can choose a gift. A reindeer visit is also included.
How to book Christmas Wonderland at Springtime Nurseries
Tickets start from £15.95 for children and £4.95 for adults online from Springtime Nurseries.
Father Christmas’ Cabin at LEGOLAND
Windsor, SL4
Book from £29.00: Father Christmas’ Cabin at LEGOLAND
The winter wonderland at LEGOLAND features a DUPLO® Christmas tree, festive shows, and the usual rides and attractions. The kids can also meet Santa at the Father Christmas Cabin and receive a LEGO gift.
How to book Father Christmas’ Cabin at LEGOLAND
A trip to LEGOLAND starts at £29.00, with which you can add the Father Christmas Visit from £25.00. Book online at the LEGOLAND website.
What is the best Santa’s Grotto in London?
The best Santa’s grotto in London is at Santaland in Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park. The kids can meet Santa while also enjoying several rides and festive fun.
Santa’s grottos are located at London department stores such as John Lewis. Classic Santa’s grotto experiences can also be found at Chelsea Physic Garden.
If you want something that can make for a festive day out, see the experiences at LEGOLAND and London Zoo.
For family photos, try the Fujifilm House of Photography experience. It offers lots of opportunities to capture a festive feeling, and printing is available, too.
And for something a bit different, there’s Shrek the Halls at Shrek’s Adventure or the Santa’s Steam Express train ride from London Victoria.
FAQs
Where to see Santa in London in 2025?
There are many places to see Santa in London in 2025, including the London Zoo, Hamleys, LEGOLAND, and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
Where to visit Santa’s Grotto?
You can visit Santa’s Grotto at London Zoo, Hamleys, LEGOLAND and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. You can also find Santa’s grotto at London department stores such as Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, and Peter Jones.
What age is Santa’s Grotto for?
Santa’s Grotto is best for ages 2-10. Young children can sometimes find meeting Santa a little scary, so make sure they are aware of what to expect. Check the recommended age of the grotto before visiting to make sure it is age-appropriate for your kids.