Danson House Grotto

Santa’s Grotto at Danson House

Santa and his elves look forward to welcoming you to the Danson House Grotto again this year. Once you have taken your selfies with the Christmas tree in the lobby, you will be taken through to the throne room to meet Santa. Your little one will enjoy an individual chat with Santa and will receive an age appropriate wrapped present.

Professional photographs are taken inside the throne room with no obligation to purchase. You are free to take as many pictures as you like outside the throne room.

There will be more selfie opportunities this year, including a full size sleigh that parents can sit in too! The elves will be more than happy to take a photo using your device of your family in the sleigh.

Opening dates and times

Weekends in December, starting on Saturday 6 December

Saturdays: 10am – 6pm
Sundays: 10am – 5pm

Weekdays in December

Thursday 18 December: 10am – 6pm
Friday 19 December 10am – 6pm
Monday 22 December: 10am – 6pm
Tuesday 23 December: 10am – 6pm
Wednesday 24 December: 10am – 3pm

Ticket prices

Child ticket: £15 per child (plus booking fee)
Child ticket with Gingerbread House Decorating £32 (plus booking fee)
Adults are free of charge *maximum of two adults allowed

Please arrive at your booking time. We aim for you to have seen Santa within 20 minutes of your chosen time.

Gingerbread house decorating in Mrs Clause’ Kitchen – New activity for 2025 for children aged 4 and over

This year, there will be limited spaces for children aged 4 and over to decorate their own Gingerbread house and take it home. This activity will follow your visit. First, you will see Santa. Then you will head through to the next room to look at the professional photographs and decide which photo souvenir you’d like to purchase, if at all. Once you have collected your photos, you’ll be taken to the next room where you’ll find Mrs Clause’ Kitchen. You will then have 20 minutes to get decorating. You must ensure you book the ticket with the gingerbread decorating option to enjoy this activity. Spaces are limited.

The experience will last for around 20 minutes with lots of opportunity to take your own photographs in a wonderfully decorated room. Your little one will be provided an apron and matching hat for the activity – perfect for that photo opportunity.

There will be a staff member on hand to assist but this is a parent led activity where you get to work together with your child to decorate their house in the most imaginative way possible in the 20 minute slot. An adult (18+) must be accompany the child throughout the activity.

For 2025, places will be limited for this add on activity so book fast to avoid disappointment.

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FAQs and Information

I am not able to attend on the day of my visit?
As per the terms of your booking, unfortunately, refunds are not available in any circumstance. If you contact us via email (info@anyevents.co.uk) at least 48-hours before your booked time we will try and accommodate you to another day/time but this is subject to availability.

Can I amend my booking?
No, once booked no amendments can be made. Please email info@anyevents.co.uk if you have any queries about your booking and we will try to help (subject to availability).

Do I have to pay for a baby?
Babies under 6 months are free when accompanied by another paying child and there is no need to book for them at the time of booking the other child. These babies will not receive a present but can join their siblings in the photo. The presents are all age specific and are suitable from birth for those wanting to book for under 6 months.

Gingerbread House Decorating ticket
This is brand new for 2025 and there is limited availability for this activity. The child must be 4 year or older to take part in the activity.

I have more than one child but only want one of them to do the Gingerbread House decorating?

This is totally fine. At the time of booking, just ensure you select at least one Gingerbread House Decorating ticket of the child that is doing the activity. The other siblings are welcome to join in and assist (they just wont get an apron and matching hat).

What is the Gingerbread House decorating all about?

This year, there will be limited spaces for children aged 4 and over to decorate their own Gingerbread house and take it home. This will be available in the Dining Room after your visit with Santa. All you need to do is book the ticket with the gingerbread option. The experience will last for around 20 minutes with lots of opportunity to take your own photographs in a wonderfully decorated room. Your little one will be provided an apron and matching hat for the activity – perfect for that photo opportunity. There will be a staff member on hand to assist but this is a parent led activity where you get to work together with your child to decorate their house in the most imaginative way possible in the 20 minute slot. An adult (18+) must be accompany the child throughout the activity. For 2025, places will be limited for this add on activity so book fast to avoid disappointment.

Photography
Personal photography or recording of any kind is not allowed inside the Grotto Throne room. There is a professional photography team onsite who will offer the chance to purchase a photograph with no obligation to purchase.

However, photography is allowed and encouraged outside of the Grotto throne room and we hope you enjoy taking photos at our new selfie points.

Wrapped Present

The gift will be a wrapped, age appropriate present. We have brand new presents this year which are reflective of the increased ticket price.

Do you have to book online?
Yes. We expect this event to sell out quickly and do not envisage any capacity for walk-ins. As such, we advise booking as soon as possible to ensure you are not disappointed.

What do I need to bring with me on the day?
You will need to bring a print out of your tickets or have them available on your mobile phone to check in using the QR scanner.

We will take a photo of the children with Santa and invite the grown ups to join them for one too. So, dress to impress Santa and bring those smiles.

Are there toilets in Danson House?
Whilst there are toilets inside Danson House, these are only accessible by entering the House from the other side of the building and going through the Cafe.

Parking
There is free parking in the car park next to the Danson Stables pub and restaurant. There are other car parks further into the park if that is full. It does get busy on the weekends. There is not parking inside Danson House grounds and there is no stopping outside on the double yellow lines. Please ensure that your vehicles is parked in one of the free car parks in Danson Park. You may have to walk between 5 and 10 minutes from the car park to Danson House so please factor that into your plans.

Where do I go when I arrive at the Grotto?
Please do not arrive at Danson House until five minutes before the time of your booking. We expect this event to be fully booked and Danson House doesn’t have space to accommodate more than three families at once inside. If you arrive before your booked time slot, then you will be asked to wait outside of the House, at the bottom of the steps (next to the large sign). It is December, and will be very cold. So, to avoid waiting, please do not arrive any earlier than 5 minutes before your booked slot.

We aim to have all bookings through to the throne room with Santa within 20 minutes of their booked slot. Often, this can be quicker, but occasionally there can be a slightly longer wait. There will be plenty of things to occupy you in the foyer area if we are running slightly behind schedule.

Are we allowed to take pushchairs in?
Danson House is a Grade 1 listed building and we have to be very respectful of the building and comply with the rules to ensure it is protected (and we can continue to run this event). As such, there is no provision for storing of pushchairs and buggies and they are not permitted into Danson House.

We advise guests to leave them in the car where possible.

Food and Drink

Danson House is a Grade 1 listed building and we have to be very respectful of the building and comply with the rules to ensure it is protected (and we can continue to run this event). As such, food and drink of any kind, is not permitted into Danson House. Failure to adhere to this may result in you being asked to leave.

How long before my allotted time should I arrive at the Grotto?
You should arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before your chosen time slot. Our aim is for you to see Santa within 20 minutes of your chosen time slot.

Does the grotto have suitable wheelchair access?
Our doors are wide enough for most wheelchairs to fit through. There is a lift for those unable to tackle the steep steps.

I have not received my confirmation?
Please be sure to check your junk folder or email us if you’re still having issues and we will we be happy to assist.