20 Best Places to See Father Christmas In Bromley and Kent
/Updated for 2024! We will keep updating this as we find more details.
Christmas is already just around the corner and I think this will be one of my children’s last visit to Santa! Sob, sob! It’s a very magical time for kiddies and finding the best place to see Father Christmas seems to get harder and busier each year!
With that in mind here are some enchanting places for your children to meet Father Christmas or Santa Claus In Bromley and wider Kent.
So where should you go to visit the Big Man and what type of events are on offer? I’ve been researching and found the best places to see Santa in Bromley and Kent in 2024! Read on…
20 Best Places to See Father Christmas In Bromley and Kent
Santa in Bromley and Kent
This is my local area so if you are on the outskirts of London like us but don’t want to head into town, here is where you can find Santa this Christmas.
1. Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
One of our regular places to visit, visitors get to meet the Head Elf in the Grotto stables. Join Mother Christmas in her kitchen to make your very own reindeer food.
Meet Father Christmas privately with your family, in his Grotto and receive an extra special gift to take home and treasure. Not forgetting the all-important photo with Father Christmas!
2. Father Christmas Afternoon Tea - Chiddingstone Castle
Arrive at the castle and step into the magical White Rose Room for a special storytime with Father Christmas.
Once the excitement settles, it's time to move into The Great Hall for a scrumptious breakfast or afternoon tea. During your dining experience Father Christmas will greet each table individually to say hello to all the children, find out what's on their Christmas list and gift them a goody bag.
After you have eaten we have a special mission for the children. The Chiddingstone Castle team need their help. Denys' letter to Father Christmas has been damaged (possibly nibbled by reindeer). Luckily Denys left clues around the museum so follow the festive trail to find them and help complete his Christmas list. Then before you head home take a stop in our Christmas craft marquee and get creative!
3. Dobbies Garden Centre, Ashford
Embrace the festive season with a must-have visit to a Dobbie’s Santa’s grotto this Christmas. This experience includes meeting with Santa and, of course, a special gift for your little ones.
4. The Fenn Bell Conservation Project
This our choice in 2024, head down to Fenn Bell and climb aboard the Santa Safari! They will whisk you away through the zoo and down to the magical winter wonderland where you can meet the main man himself, Father Christmas.
This gets booked up very quickly so get your ticket HERE.
5. Bewl Water
Step into Christmas at Bewl Water, where this year, a magical journey through enchanted wonderlands and mystical woodlands awaits the whole family as the experience is set to be bigger, bolder, and brighter than last year’s spectacular event…
6. The Elf Express at Quex Park
Board the Elf Express this Christmas and immerse yourself in the Magic of the Elf Kingdom and Magical Elf Woods. Our elves need your help to prepare for the big day and can’t wait to welcome you to their world full of festive fun and magic.
With thousands of Christmas lights, sweet treats and memorable encounters with Santa’s top elves, the Elf Express is a unique and unrivalled interactive theatrical treat this Christmas. Now in it’s 10th year, The Elf Express at Quex Park is the Christmas treat not to be missed.
Credit: Unsplash.
7. Kent Life Farm
Always a great day out. This year you get to meet Father Christmas in his magical grotto. Little ones will be thrilled to choose a special gift from the wonderfully stocked toy shop.
You can immerse yourself in the holiday spirit by exploring the delightful sweet shop, and even building your very own Be My Bear teddy bear for a small additional charge. Be sure to catch an enchanting live show and make a stop at The Snow Inn for delectable festive treats and drinks. And don’t forget to hop on The Jingle Express for a merry ride!
8. Kent & East Sussex Railway
We love Christmas at the Kent and East Sussex Railway, the Santa train is such a different way to celebrate. You get the the pleasure of a steam train ride knowing your child will meet Santa and receive a gift. It gets booked up quickly though so book early!
9. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at Spa Valley Railway
Your adventure starts exactly like the film, with THE POLAR EXPRESS™ collecting your whole family from Spa Valley Railway to start your magical journey. You’ll meet your favourite icons from the beloved movie, including the Conductor, dancing chefs, a mysterious ghost, and of course the magical Santa Claus himself.
10. Hever Castle
Nothing says ‘Christmas’ quite like a visit to Father Christmas at Hever Castle. This is one of our favourite places to visit. Travel through the land of Christmas, meet cheerful elves and wander along the paths until you get to Father Christmas’ toy workshop to meet the big man himself!
Find out more information here.
11. Christmas Lights and Narnia at Leeds Castle!
Leeds Castle are offering their usual amazing lights show this year, get your tickets here. However we are most excited about the Nutcracker event where the toys come to life!
In this captivating journey, wander through perfectly festive rooms with sparkling decorations. As you glide from room to room, pay close attention as shadows of toys reveal the enchanting Nutcracker story. Get ready to uncover hidden surprises as you head deeper into fantastical realms.
You can also head for a Nutcracker Afternoon Tea! See the details here.
12. Scotney Castle
Escape reality with a visit to Scotney this Christmas and step into a glittering world of performance, entertainment and nostalgia ...
Explore the rooms in Scotney's mansion house, transformed into a cinematic storybook of Christmas fun and sparkle. Taking seasonal family favourites like pantomime, ballet and film, adding a little stardust, and weaving in sparkle and magic to create themed decorated rooms in the mansion house that will fill you with the spirit and joy of Christmas. Via popcorn-garlanded Christmas trees in the main hall and the 'tutu' tree in the ballet-themed room, you'll journey from the sophistication of a night at the opera to the creative chaos of the Mad Hatter's Christmas Dinner. Perfect for friends and families of all ages.
13. Bluewater
Bluewater Shopping Centre is hosting the world-first The Elf on the Shelf® Christmas Adventure this November. In partnership with The Lumistella Company, the home of The Elf on the Shelf® Santaverse™, this never-seen-before theatrical experience promises to delight families and bring the magic of Christmas to life.
Step into a 25-minute immersive adventure, complete with festive games, interactive challenges, and Christmas magic for children and adults alike.
Credit: Unsplash.
14. Godstone Farm
Immerse yourself in festive activities during your jolly journey to meet Father Christmas and don’t forget to pay a visit to the Wish Room, where you’ll be transported to a magical place where special wishes are made and treasured!
The adventure doesn’t end there! You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy Jingle and Jangle’s Christmas Adventure – an interactive and captivating show – perfect for adding that extra bit of sparkle to an already magical day!
15. Penshurst Place
This venue is holding a Christmas Panto event instead called ‘The Ice That Nearly Cancelled Christmas!’
The North Pole Elves and their gift making & wrapping skills are out in full force as we mark off the days before 25th December. With Mother Christmas overseeing proceedings helped by her Head Elf, this year will be no different when it comes to packing, wrapping and stacking gift efficiency, after all, only some sort of dark Christmas magic could interrupt this flow and there's none of that around, right?
Not if the Ice Queen has anything to say about it! Will you be able to help Father Christmas rescue his wife and faithful Elves, and stop Christmas being cancelled?
This year's Panto-style story is ideal for children aged 0 - 12, or anyone who simply loves Christmas!
Book your ticket and find out!
16. Salomons Estate
Santa’s Grotto at Salomons Estate promises to be filled with delightful activities and crafts in anticipation of the most important meeting of the year! Enjoy a range of festive activities with Santa’s elves before the magical moment arrives to knock on Santa’s door. Afterwards, set off on our secret Christmas trail through the winter gardens, where a warming cup of hot chocolate awaits.
17. The Reindeer Centre
Come along and meet Father Christmas and his magical reindeers. A fantastic Christmas experience for everyone. Walk through his 150ft magical grotto, head into the big Christmas barn and meet all the other wonderful farm animals, feed his reindeer and have fun in the popular snow pit plus much more.
18. Mission Christmas Elf Academy
Step into the secret sub-station at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. It’s ‘All Elves on Deck” for a brand new festive adventure.
Discover the secret that elves and sub-station workers have been guarding for generations. Join the fun at the magical ‘Elf Academy,’ where you’ll learn all the tricks of the trade, from making toys to wrapping presents, and even helping with the all-important deliveries. When you graduate, you’ll be a real Elf Apprentice, ready to make Christmas extra special for children all around the world.
As a reward for graduating from ‘Elf Academy’ each family will have the chance to experience a personal visit with Father Christmas himself.
19. Royal Engineers Museum Gillingham
The Wartime Christmas weekend at the RE Museum will be as busy as ever this year.
With sellers of vintage and retro clothing, treats, and crafts, as well as locally produced comestibles and drinks. You’ll also have a chance to meet Sapper Santa, and hear from living history groups and historical experts.
Held on the 23rd and 24th of November (from 10am-5pm, with final museum entry at 4pm) at the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham. It’s an event you won’t want to miss; whether you’re a history buff looking to indulge in some time travel, or you’re looking for some last-minute crafty gifts, you’re sure to find something for you.
Tickets are the regular museum rate and are valid for a year (that means if you’ve been within the last year, your museum ticket will still give you access to this event for free!!).
20. Reuthes
Reuthe's is a magical place all year round but Christmas time is our favourite.
They have several events this year from a Santa’s Grotto to a Candy Cane Christmas Trail.
I hope you have found plenty of inspiration for some of the best places to see Father Christmas in Bromley and wider Kent.
For more Christmas content check out my posts below on Christmas Gifts for the whole family.
