THE festive season will soon be in full swing and the 'Man in Red' is pitching up in grottos around the region to take those all important present requests.
Over the next few weeks, excited youngsters will be spilling into shopping complexes, garden centres and stately homes to see Father Christmas and his helpers as they prepare for that all important delivery evening of the year.
Here we have included a few of the locations around the region where young ones can meet up with Santa and participate in the fun, seasonal festivities many attractions have to offer - some more unique than others.
For example, young visitors can climb aboard Shipley Glen Tramway - believed to be the oldest working cable tramway in the country - in Prod Lane, Baildon and embark on a magical journey to see Santa. This event, run by volunteers, takes place on the weekends December 3 to 18, weather permitting. For more information, visit shipleyglentramway.co.uk.
Tong Garden Centre is offering 'A Magical Journey to Santa.' After receiving their festive passport, young travellers can join Father Christmas' festive helpers on the journey from the South to the North Pole and watch Chief Elf Montgomery plot the magical journey Father Christmas and his team will make on Christmas Eve before the meeting Santa and, if they're good, receiving their gift. To book, or for more information, visit tonggardencentre.co.uk.
Historic East Riddlesden Hall, in Riddlesden near Keighley, will be hosting Father Christmas on weekends up to Christmas. While there, young visitors can enjoy a story in the Great Barn before participating in singing, dancing and games in the main house where they will have the opportunity to meet the man himself. They can also follow a festive trail around the gardens where they can create a Christmas decoration to take home and hang on their Christmas tree. This event is already proving popular with some dates already sold out. For more information call 01535 607075 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk.
The Man in Red will also be in the award-winning grotto at Keelham Farm Shop each day until Christmas Eve. Ten per cent of the ticket proceeds will be donated to Yorkshire children's cancer charity Candlelighters. For more details, visit keelhamfarmshop.co.uk.
Santa and his elves will be in their grotto at Stephen H Smith's Garden Centres in Harden and Otley each Saturday and Sunday until Christmas Eve. All proceeds will go to local charities via Keighley and Otley Lions.
Woodbank Garden Centre in Harden promises a magical grotto filled with animated scenes of Santa’s workshop, elves and Christmas characters. Father Christmas will be there most days in the lead up to Christmas. For dates and more details, visit woodbanknurseries.com.
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway is running its Santa’s Specials every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas Eve, as well as on Friday, December 23, from Oxenhope, Haworth and Keighley stations. There will be specially decorated coaches and festive music and, of course, Santa will be aboard the steam train to hand out gifts to the children. Grown ups won't be left out, each receiving a mince pie and a drink. For more information, visit kwvr.co.uk.
Kirklees Light Railway is also running a Santa Special train and twilight services until Christmas Eve. Santa will be waiting in his grotto at Shelley Station, where he will havd out gifts to the children. For more information, visit kirkleeslightrailway.com.
Santa Claus will be meeting children in his grotto at Eureka! The National Children's Museum, every day until Friday, December 23. Visit eureka.org.uk for more information.
Stockeld Park, home to the award-winning Christmas Adventure, which runs until Tuesday January 3, provides the perfect setting for Santa's stop over in a luxury log cabin in the grounds of this magical attraction. Now in its 10th year, the Christmas Adventure also boasts an illuminated Enchanted Forest as well as festive-themed activities including the Nordic Ski trail and the Giant Snow Flake shaped Yew Maze. For more information about the Christmas Adventure attractions visit stockeldpark.co.uk.
Stockeld Park has teamed up with local charity, Autism Angels. Photo by Steve Riding
Stockeld Park's Christmas Advenure has also teamed up with its chosen charity for 2016, Kearby-based Autism Angels, providing special trips for autistic children and those who struggle with crowds, giving them exclusive access before the park opens to the general public. The special sessions are tailored to the children's needs giving them the opportunity to meet Father Christmas in his luxury log cabin between 9.30 and 10.30am on Saturdays December 3 and 10. To book a place at this event email events@autismangels.co.uk.
The Christmas Experience at Lotherton Hall, in Aberford, near Leeds, promises a magical experience for the whole family. Follow the twinkling lit paths for the 12 Days Of Christmas woodland walk to discover interactive installations, meet Santa and the elves and take part in Christmas crafts in the Elf Village, and see where the fairies live in Fairy Dell. For more information, visit thechristmasexperience.co.uk.
Meet Santa in a cosy, nordic giant tipi at the Magical Lantern Festival in Roundhay Park, Leeds. He and his elves will be there from 2pm each day, before the Lantern Festival opens at 4pm. Visit magicallantern.uk for details.
Santa and his Chief Elf will also be meeting young visitors in their special North Pole workshop on Saturday, December 10, at The Garden Rooms at Tennants of Leyburn. Children can create their own bears to take home as part of the Winter Wonderland Christmas fair, organised in association with the award-winning glossy monthly, Living magazine. The fair runs from 10am until 6pm on Friday, December 9, and from 10am until 4pm on Saturday, December 10. For more information visit tennantsgardenrooms.com.
Setting the scene for a Winter Wonderland Christmas Fair at The Garden Rooms at Tennants of Leyburn
Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland, home of the Ice Factor, is the perfect place to get that festive feeling. Based in the appropriately-named St Nicholas Avenue, within the York Designer Outlet, Santa's stunning grotto is one of many attractions visitors can look forward during their visit to this magical winter wonderland.
If you are looking for a unique Santa experience then YorkBoat are running a special Santa Cruise where young visitors can meet Father Christmas and his friends during the hour-long cruise along the River Ouse.
'Santa in the Shambles' sees Father Christmas returning to York's famous St Nicholas Fair. There he will take up residence in his very own log cabin grotto where he will be meeting and greeting his young guests.
Go deep underground to meet Santa 140 metres below ground at The National Coal Mining Museum near Wakefield each weekend in December, and on weekdays between December 16 and 23. Visit ncm.org.uk to book.
- Have you spotted Santa in his grotto somewhere else? Let us know!
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