Santa’s Grotto at Lanchester Garden Centre – review
We had our first visit to Santa’s Grotto at Lanchester Garden Centre so thought I would share our honest review.
For Elsie’s first Christmas we enjoyed Christmas at Beamish and Festive Tales at Woodhorn.
Last year, like most people, we didn’t feel that festive and only enjoyed Ignite at Gibside so I really wanted to make up for it and get into the Christmas spirit this year!
Santa’s Grotto at Lanchester Garden Centre was easy to book via the events section on their website and cost £10 per child which also includes a small gift.
Lanchester Garden Centre also offer a breakfast with Santa experience but we felt Elsie was still a little too young for that this year, so Santa’s Grotto it was!
We have visited Lanchester Garden Centre many times, and my friend Farrah and I enjoyed an Afternoon Tea to celebrate my birthday in 2019.
I’d definitely recommend a visit to Potter’s World at Lanchester Garden Centre which is £4 per person and has two great play areas as well as a small zoo and bird’s of prey centre, here’s my full Potter’s World review.
Santa’s Grotto at Lanchester Garden Centre
There’s ample free parking at Lanchester Garden Centre and we were lucky to nab a decent space in the main car park near the entrance.
We went through the main entrance and followed the Santa’s Grotto arrows on the floor to make our way to the enchanted woodland grotto.
Our timeslot was 3:30-4pm and we were a little early so had a wander round first.
We joined the small queue outside of Santa’s Grotto (at the back of the main tunnel where all the gifts are).
On reflection we wish we’d brought her pram as we had to take turns to carry her and she’s quite heavy now.
We had quite a long wait (we went through to the Grotto at exactly 15:50) and had to resort to good old CocoMelon on YouTube to help keep Elsie entertained.
A friendly elf greeted us when we were next in line and ticked off Elsie’s name, she had a little chat with her which was nice.
And finally it was our turn and Mrs Claus led us through to see Santa himself.
We walked through an enchanted forest (Christmas trees) and found Santa in his chair with little seats and a long bench.
The grotto is cosy and very festive!
Elsie was a bit unsure and clingy, Steve sat with her on his knee on a tiny chair which was awkward for him.
Santa chatted to Elsie about being a “mostly good girl” and asked what she’d like for Christmas.
He loved to hear that she is a bookworm and her gift from Santa was a really lovely book and asked what time she’d be in bed for.
Santa rounded off our visit with a reminder to Elsie to put out some carrots for his reindeer which she nodded along with and wished us all a lovely Christmas.
My overall thoughts on Santa’s Grotto at Lanchester Garden Centre
It was lovely that it is a private family visit with Santa but we were a little disappointed overall.
The queue experience could possibly be better and more engaging for kids.
It was a long wait for a toddler with nothing really to capture her interest in the queue, lots of other children were getting frustrated, some even crying.
The queue is right next to the memorial gifts for gravesides which felt a bit odd to be honest.
Santa was a little short with Steve when trying to speak to Elsie as he couldn’t see her that well when he asked him to move round which was awkward on a little chair but it was more the tone that bothered us.
Elsie has only met Santa once, when she was five months old due to the pandemic and she was a little wary and clingy, understandably given everything we have all endured in the last 18 months or so.
We could take our own photos which isn’t always common these days which we were grateful for, I have heard of other places charging extra for pictures.
And we were thankful that Santa clearly caught on about Elsie’s love for books which was reflected in her gift.
Elsie has enjoyed the book and we’ve already read it a few times.
Overall the grotto was really cosy and it being a private visit was good but we just felt a little disappointed.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a better overall experience at Beamish.
Where is Lanchester Garden Centre?
Lanchester Garden Centre
Bargate Bank, Lanchester,
Durham, DH7 0SS
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Other Christmas related posts:
Festive Tales at Woodhorn Museum
I answer all things Christmas in the Christmas Tag
You can find out all about my Christmas family traditions
Read all about how I made my very own Christmas wreath
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