Manchester Ice Village
www.icevillage.co.uk
Until December 24
Grotto tickets £7.50 per child
Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, M4 3BG
Get in the festive mood this season with Manchester’s Ice Village! Not only can the kids go and meet Santa, but grown-ups can head to the unmissable Ice Tiki Bar, while families show off their skills at the ice skating rink. Meet a giant ice dragon in the Ice Cavern, sit in a regal ice carriage, see if you can escape a giant ice block and get a real frozen experience! There’ll also be festive market stalls to browse and delicious food on offer.
Knowsley Safari Park
www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/whats-on/events/enchanted-christmas-event/
Selected dates until December 23
Tickets £7.50 (under-3s go free). Santa’s Grotto must be booked separately at £7.50 per child.
Prescot, L34 4AN
Get Enchanted at Knowsley Safari Park after dark! Your path will be lit with magical lights and illuminated animals as you traverse the foot safari – plus, enjoy festive food, music and meet Santa at his grotto!
You’re really in for an enchanting experience with charming animals, and the chance to make wonderful memories in time for Christmas.
Santa’s Enchanted Forest
www.santasenchantedforest.co.uk
Until December 21
Tickets £10 per child, £3 per adult (under-1s go free)
Shorrocks Hill, Formby, L37 2EB
On cold, crisp winter nights, you’ll find Santa and his elves tucked away in the enchanted forest. Explore the Formby woodlands, discover a giant candy house, and a mini locomotive travelling through Santa’s mini village.
Families can try dancing with Dancing Davina in a purpose-built studio, write letters to Santa at elf writing school, and visit Father Christmas himself in his log cabin. Finally, capture beautiful pictures in a giant human snow globe!
Tatton Park
www.tattonpark.org.uk
Dates until December 22
Grotto tickets £6.50 per child, £7 per adult (admission to Christmas Mansion £10 per adult, £7 per child)
Mereheath Drive, Knutsford, WA16 6SG
The fairy godmother is waiting to lead you on an enchanting journey through magical woodlands to Tatton Park’s Christmas Mansion. Follow the sweetie trail through the forest and to the servants’ quarters, where you’ll enter the Witch’s gingerbread house. Meander through grand staterooms in the mansion itself, see Cinderella’s magnificent pumpkin coach and beautiful Christmas trees bedecked in lights!
Children can meet Santa Claus and make reindeer food at the farm, and there’ll be festive brass, choral concerts and delicious seasonal food available, as well as plenty of opportunities to stock up on stocking fillers! Pose for a selfie on Santa’s sleigh, enjoy storytellers, face painters and a traditional live nativity – the magic really does come alive for the festive season at Tatton.
Farmer Ted’s
www.farmerteds.com/farmerchristmas
Dates until December 23
Tickets £20 per child, £9.75 per adult, £7.50 per under-1
Flatman’s Ln, Ormskirk, L39 7HW
Farmer Ted’s is transformed into a winter wonderland each December – visitors can stroll down magical high street Candy Cane Lane to discover an animated reindeer and donkey show or enjoy a performance from the resident elf band. Nearby, the Reindeer Food Factory will help you make the perfect treat to leave on your lawn for Santa’s reindeers.
Later, meet Santa in his workshop, write a postcard with your festive wishes on at Elf School, build a snowman and post for a picture in the Christmas carriage! A 4D cinema will show Boris’s Christmas Adventure, there’ll be real reindeer for you to meet, and so many photo opportunities along the way.
Dunham Massey
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey/
Until December 30
Tickets £17.50 per adult, £11 per child (under-3s go free)
Altrincham, WA14 4SJ
Dunham Massey’s winter trail is one of the most anticipated family attractions of the season. The grand avenue will be replanted with gigantic flowers, brought to life with light projections. Head through vortex tunnels, see reflections made by fire on water, and watch in awe as lights tumble from the undergrowth in a spectacular show of illuminations.
Your walk under the stars will be finished off with spiced cider, mulled wine or hot chocolate as you gather around the fire-pit to toast marshmallows. For the little ones, a traditional funfair with a helter skelter, Victorian carousel and more awaits; if you’re lucky, you might even spot Santa and his helpers.
Wayfarer’s Arcade
www.wayfarersarcade.co.uk
Dates until December 24
Tickets £5 per child (£14 x 3, £18 x 4)
Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1NY
Make Christmas truly magical in the traditional Victorian shopping arcade at Wayfarers, Southport. Santa will be in residence to hand out gifts to the children in the stunning setting of the arcade.
Ellamora
www.ellamora.co.uk
Dates between December 7 & 24
Tickets £12 per child
Church Road, Rainford, WA11 8HD
Ellamora is bringing back the magic of the Tyrers Grotto this Christmas! Featuring the original Santa Claus from St. Helens’ most famous department store, children can visit the man himself in his traditional annexe and receive a magical Christmas gift.
Martin Mere
wwt.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/4745?catID=2962
Dates until December 23
Tickets £10 per child (adults go free, but admission charges apply)
Fish Ln, Burscough, L40 0TA
Sail to Santa on a magical boat trip across the picturesque waters of Martin Mere Wetland Centre, where he’s waiting for you on an island of his own. Children will receive a special gift, as well as having the opportunity to make some reindeer food, decorate a festive biscuit and make a personalised present label.
Rufford Old Hall
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rufford-old-hall/features/a-magical-family-christmas-at-rufford-old-hall
Dates until December 22
Tickets £6 per child (admission charges apply)
Liverpool Rd, Rufford, L40 1SG
Sit back and relax with a Christmas storytelling experience as you prepare to meet Santa! The picturesque setting of Rufford Old Hall provides a festive backdrop for your visit, with donkey rides going on in the grounds, and jolly old St. Nick himself waiting to hear your Christmas wishes.
West Lancs Light Railway
www.westlancsrailway.org/timetable
Dates between December 8 & 22
Tickets £8.50 per child, £5.50 per adult
Station Rd, Hesketh Bank, PR4 6SP
Travel on a heritage narrow gauge steam train to visit Father Christmas! You’ll be enchanted by the smell and sight of the steam, plus the festive refreshments waiting for you at the end. Children will receive a quality gift from Santa on this magical journey.