CHRISTMAS A MAGICAL VISIT cont .
Brookside Garden Centre 19 Nov – 24 Dec
The Reindeer Centre 12 Nov – 24 Dec
The Christmas grotto at Brookside Garden Centre in East Peckham is an award-winning local phenomenon . Every year there is a scramble for tickets , and the lucky ones who get them will be able to enjoy a one of a kind , beautiful and magical experience . To find Santa in his wooden Finnish hut , the children must traverse winding pathways complete with twinkling lights . But watch out for the ( lovely ) hidden surprises along the way – you wouldn ’ t want to miss anything during this unforgettable festive treat . www . brooksidegc-kent . co . uk / 01622 871250
Hever Castle 26 Nov – 11 Dec ( Wed – Sun ) and 12 – 24 Dec ( daily )
This Christmas come and visit the Reindeer Centre , near Ashford . Old and young alike will enjoy visiting Santa ’ s magical grotto . Parents and children will have their very own special encounter with Father Christmas and each good child receives a quality wrapped gift , Christmas hat and passport . Then stroll through the seven animated scenes in this magical 150-foot grotto . The children can then let off steam in the popular straw bale ball pit and bounce around on the bouncy castle – they can even have a snowball fight in the artificial snow play area . For the adults there is a free reindeer souvenir mug with every purchased hot drink , plus a complimentary mince pie . www . reindeercentre . co . uk / 01233 659338
The Hop Farm 3-23 Dec
Children and adults all enjoy a great panto … oh yes they do ! This Christmas , Hever Castle in Kent celebrates the history of pantomime in Once Upon A Castle . The rooms of the fairy tale castle will be adorned with beautiful decorations , welcoming log fires and twinkling Christmas trees celebrating the theme . Follow the snowy Christmas trail in the grounds and discover the story of Jack and the Beanstalk as you wander through the illuminated gardens as dusk falls . On weekends and daily from 19th-24th December , meet characters and collect fairytale objects along the trail to receive a reward . Then head to the Castle forecourt where a vintage fairground and carousel provide entertainment for all ages . And of course , nothing says ' Christmas ' quite like a visit to Father Christmas in his grotto . Children will be enchanted by the magical grotto where they will be taken by an elf through the snowy ‘ forest ’ to meet Father Christmas in his log cabin . www . hevercastle . co . uk / 01732 865224
Come and meet Father Christmas in his workshop at Kent ’ s Hop Farm . Within the workshop itself you will discover the art of balloon modelling with live demonstrations , elvish entertainment , and you can even write your own personalised letter to Santa – and hand it to him yourself . The experience includes a meeting with the big man , fun and games with the elves , a gift , a printed photo and a balloon model . www . thehopfarm . co . uk / 01622 872068
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