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Where's Santa in Devon 2018
Where's Santa in Devon 2018
Updated: 10 October 2018
Read on for more on Santa's grottos, Santa by Steam, Santa's workshops and more...
At this time of year Father Christmas becomes an incredibly busy man, but as he’s so friendly and thoughtful he will always find time to listen to your wish lists.
There’s nothing that Father Christmas loves more than talking to children, so he uses his super magical powers to whizz all over the county and can be in many places often at the same time!
You’ll find him in cosy cabins, in sparkly grottos, on festive trains and on horse-drawn sleighs in town centres, shopping centres, garden centres and family attractions. As he gets exceedingly hungry on his travels he even turns up for breakfast and lunch at some places!
So, along with his many helpers, do look out for Santa at the following locations this festive season…
PS. Don’t forget to leave out a treat or two for Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve. The cheeky elves have told us he likes smelly socks, but we think he would rather tuck into a tasty mince pie!
2018
From Saturday 17 November
Also, 18, 24, 25 November; 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December
Santa’s Christmas Grotto at the House of Marbles
House of Marbles, Near Bovey Tracey, Devon, TQ13 9DS
https://www.houseofmarbles.com/about/family-fun-devon/events/9/
Santa's Grotto is returning for Christmas 2018! Grotto entry costs just £6.99 per child and includes a free balloon, badge and gift from Santa. Plus, there will be quizzes with prizes for adults and children. To make a booking call 01626 835285.
From Sunday 18 November
Other dates in November and December
Santa’s Grotto at Otter Nurseries
Otter Nurseries, Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1LZ
https://www.ottergardencentres.com/santas-grotto-ottery-st-mary/
Walk through the snow-filled Arctic Circle, make reindeer food in Mrs Claus’s Kitchen and then visit Santa himself. Each family visiting Santa will receive a special Christmas book to read on Christmas Eve and a packet of Secret Cookie Mix to make cookies. Pre-booking essential. Many dates already sold out. Call 01404 816845.
From Saturday 24 November
Also, 25 November, 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 and 24 December
Nativity Plays and Santa Visits at Pennywell
Christmas Nativity Plays at Pennywell
Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0LT
http://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/buy-christmas-nativity-tickets
Watch a magical Nativity performance featuring real animals before visiting Father Christmas in his festive grotto. Plus, options to have breakfast and cream teas with Father Christmas on set dates. Booking essential. For more details 01364 642023.
From Saturday 24 November
Also, 25 November
Santa at the Donkey Sanctuary
10am to 4pm
The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 0NU
Santa and his reindeer (who look like donkeys) will pay a special visit to the sanctuary and take residence in his Grotto. Tickets will be available to purchase each day on a first come, first serve basis. Call 01395 573156.
From Friday 30 November
Also, 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December
Santa on the Train to Christmas Town
Dartmoor Railway, Okehampton Station, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1EJ
www.dartmoorrailway.com/train-to-christmas-town
Along with storytelling, singing and dancing with the elves, passengers will meet a very special guest when the train stops at Christmas Town. Santa Claus will climb on board to meet each child and give them a special gift. Booking highly recommended. Call 08000 232383.
From Friday 30 November
Also, 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 to 24 December
The Polar Express™ on Seaton Tramway
Seaton Tramway, Seaton, Devon, EX12 2NQ
https://www.tram.co.uk/ThePolarExpressSeaton
Journey to the North Pole on The Polar Express by tram. Sing along to the songs, drink hot chocolate and meet Santa and his happy bunch of elves. Each child will receive a special gift from Santa. Pre-booking is essential - dates are already selling out. For more details call 01297 20375.
December
From Saturday 1 December.png)
Also, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 December
Santa at the Crealy Christmas Spectacular
Crealy Great Adventure Park, Clyst St Mary, Near Exeter, Devon, EX5 1DR
https://www.crealy.co.uk/events/crealy-christmas-spectacular
With 9 new Christmas attractions featuring the South West’s first ever Christmas Ice Show, Mary Christmas’ Bakery, reindeer food making station, Santa’s post office, the singing snowmen, Christmas craft and entry into Santa’s Magical Toy Shop featuring over 30,000 gifts! Booking essential.
From Saturday 1 December
Also, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December
Father Christmas at Killerton
Killerton, Near Exeter, EX5 3LE
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton
Tucked away within the stables find Father Christmas waiting in his magical grotto. Enter the festive grotto to meet him dressed in his traditional Victorian green suit. A gift will be given to every child. Booking is essential. Call 0344 249 1895.
From Saturday 1 December
Also, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 December
Santa by Steam
South Devon Railway, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0DZ
www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/santa-by-steam
Refreshments will be served by Santa’s helpers onboard Santa's special grotto train. Each child will meet Father Christmas in his wonderful magical grotto and receive a Christmas present. All the trains start and finish at Buckfastleigh. Advanced booking is essential. Ring 01364 644370.
From Saturday 1 December
And 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 December
Santa’s Grotto at Woodlands
Woodlands Leisure Park, Blackawton, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 7DQ
www.woodlandspark.com/event/christmas-at-woodlands/
A visit to see Santa includes a mesmerising walk through Santa’s Workshop before meeting Santa and receiving a very special gift. Includes free reindeer food, a free sweet treat and free photo opportunities.
From 1 December
Also, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 and 24 December
Woollys Christmas Wonderland
The Big Sheep, Abbotsham, Bideford, EX39 5AP
Children will have a truly magical Christmas experience at The Big Sheep and can meet Santa in his wonderland at weekends and during the school holiday. Meet Santa in his Grotto, see Santa’s Magical Light Show and play in the Ewetopia Indoor Playground.
2 December
Santa Visits Dawlish Christmas Market
The Strand, Dawlish, EX7 9PS
Santa will be paying the children at Dawlish Christmas Market a very special visit at 12.30pm. Don’t miss him!
From Sunday 2 December
Also, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 and 24 December
Santa in the Caves
Kents Cavern, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2JF
https://www.kents-cavern.co.uk/events/detail/santa-in-the-caves
Join Santa in this Panto style adventure around the caves. Includes an hour-long promenade performance, a visit with Santa, and a Christmas present for all children aged 2-12 years. Booking essential. For details call 01803 215136.
From Tuesday 4 December
Also, 11 and 18 December
Santa’s Grotto in Totnes
Civic Hall, Market Square, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5SG
Visit Father Christmas in his splendid festive grotto as part of the town’s Christmas market. For details ring 01803 863168.
From Saturday 8 December
Also 9, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 December
Dartmouth Steam Railway’s Santa Express featuring Snow White
Queen’s Park Station, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6AF
www.dsrrbchristmas.co.uk/santa-express
Be entertained by close-up magic and a two-part mini pantomime Snow White, before getting a visit from Father Christmas. All children will receive a gift. This is a fully ticketed event so pre-booking is essential.
From Saturday 8 December
Also, 15 and 22 December
Father Christmas visits Greenway
Greenway, Galmpton, near Brixham, Devon, TQ5 0ES
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway
Father Christmas and his helpers will be meeting children and sharing out keepsake gifts. Santa’s helpers will be there to tell some festive stories and help children to write their letters which can be popped in the Greenway post. Call 01803 842382.
From Saturday 8 December
Also 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 and 24 December
Roaming Santa at Babbacombe Model Village
Babbacombe Model Village, Hampton Avenue, Babbacombe, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LA
https://www.model-village.co.uk/christmas-at-the-model-village
See what magical delights you will find on the Christmas Labyrinth Trail and have fun finding Santa as you explore the Model Village. You may need to go around twice to find him. There will be a small gift for children for do find him!
From Saturday 8 December
Also, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 December
Father Christmas visits Knighthayes
Knighthayes, Bolham, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 7RQ
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/4df168e4-e1c6-4c9f-8cca-8eef38ece00d/pages/details
Father Christmas will be visiting Knightshayes in the run up to the big day and will be handing out keepsakes in his workshop. Learn about Christmas traditions and write a letter to send to the North Pole. For more details call 0344 249 1895.
From Saturday 8 December
And 9, 15 and 16 December
Santa at Bernaville Nurseries
Bernaville Nurseries, Cowley, Near Exeter, Devon, EX5 5EU
https://bernaville.co.uk/santa-bernaville-nurseries/
Experience the festive magic at Bernaville Nurseries by visiting Santa’s grotto and receive a gift. Don’t forget to take your letter for Santa. this December. Booking essential – places are selling out already! Booking online is essential. For details call 01392 851326.
From Saturday 15 December
And 16 December
Santa visits Bygones
Bygones, Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay, TQ1 4PR
Santa will be paying a very special visit to Bygones from 11am to 2pm and will be handing out early Christmas presents! Plus, there will be fun Gingerbread decorating at no extra cost. Booking highly recommended. Call 01803 326108 or email info@bygones.co.uk
From Saturday 15 December
Also, 16, 22, 23 and 24 December
Meet Santa at Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo, Paignton, TQ4 7EU
https://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/plan-your-visit/whats-on/events/detail/christmas-at-paignton-zoo-2
Meet Santa in his magical grotto and receive a fantastic present. Hop aboard the Christmas train and follow the gingerbread trail. Children who have booked to meet Santa will pick up a special gift from the elves as they leave. Pre-booking is essential. Call 01803 697500.
From Saturday 15 December
Also, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 December
Santa Specials at Pecorama
Pecorama, Underleys, Beer, Devon, EX12 3NA
http://www.pecorama.co.uk/special-events/
Ride on the Pecorama Santa Special before meeting Santa in a winter wonderland and receive a special Christmas treat. Afterwards children can use the indoor soft play area. Pre-booking strongly advised. Call 01297 21542.
From Saturday 15 December
Also, 16, 22 and 20 December
Father Christmas visits Castle Drogo
11am to 4pm
Castle Drogo, Near Drewsteignton, near Exeter, Devon, EX6 6PB
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/a4dbb165-5765-4983-8aa8-d0ad9f8bead9/pages/details
Father Christmas will be making a very special visit to Castle Drogo. Follow the trail through the garden to find him and receive a special present. Cost: £3.50 to see Father Christmas plus normal admission applies. Call 01647 433306.
From Saturday 15 December
Also, 16, 22 and 23 December
Father Christmas visits Arlington Court
Arlington Court, Near Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4LP
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/arlington-court-and-the-national-trust-carriage-museum
Visit the festive grotto in the stables at the carriage museum and meet the traditional green Father Christmas. All good girls and boys will receive a present. Booking essential. Call 0344 249 1895.
16 December
Breakfast with Santa at Woollys Christmas Wonderland
The Big Sheep, Abbotsham, Bideford, Devon, EX39 5AP
Children will have a truly magical Christmas experience at The Big Sheep and can have a very tasty breakfast with the great man in red at this special event. Plus, see Santa’s Magical Light Show and play in the Ewetopia Indoor Playground.
Tuesday 18 December
Santa by Steam in the Dark
South Devon Railway, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0DZ
www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/santa-by-steam
A special evening train, leaving Buckfastleigh at 5.45pm, will be running for those who would like to experience the magic of travelling by steam train in the dark! Advanced booking is essential. Ring 01364 644370.
From Saturday 22 December
And 23 and 24 December
Breakfast and Lunch/Brunch with Santa at Bygones
Bygones, Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4PR
Breakfast and lunch will be served on 22 and 23 December; breakfast and brunch will be served on 24 December. Booking is essential. It includes entry to Bygones, a breakfast, brunch or lunch and a present from Santa! Call 01803 326108 or email info@bygones.co.uk