20 Best Places to See Father Christmas In Bromley and Kent

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Updated for 2026! We will keep updating this as we find more details.

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Christmas is just a few months away, I can’t believe how far ahead we have to book these events now. But you don’t want to miss out!

Last year was was my childrens last visit to Santa! Sob, sob!

But we still want you to be able to find the best experiences for your little ones. It’s a very magical time for kiddies and finding the best place to see Father Christmas seems to get harder and busier each year!

With that in mind here are some enchanting places for your children to meet Father Christmas or Santa Claus In Bromley and wider Kent.

So where should you go to visit the Big Man and what type of events are on offer? I’ve been researching and found the best places to see Santa in Bromley and Kent in 2026! Read on…

20 Best Places to See Father Christmas In Bromley and Kent

1. Ruxley Manor Garden Centre

One of our regular places to visit, behind the scenes, Ruxley Manor have been working their elf-sized socks off to make this year the most magical yet! Father Christmas has been making Ruxley his Christmas HQ and this year he’s back, bringing Christmas cheer with Mother Christmas and a merry band of Elves in tow!

Meet Father Christmas privately with your family, in his Grotto and receive an extra special gift to take home and treasure. Meet Mother Christmas and make your very own Polar Bear Navigator! Not forgetting the all-important photo with Father Christmas!

Tickets are on sale now.

2. Father Christmas at the rare Breeds Centre

Canterbury Oast Trust has a brand new winter wonderland walkthrough and Christmas show!

Your festive adventure begins as a cheerful elf greets you and leads you down our enchanting winter wonderland walkway. At the end of the journey, little ones can test their aim with some festive fabric snowball throwing before stepping into our Cattle Barn, beautifully transformed into a glittering Christmas haven.

Families can then relax and enjoy a heart-warming festive show starring Father Christmas, his joyful team of elves, and a delightful craft activity where children can create a special Christmas keepsake. Each child will also receive a beautiful gift from Santa himself, a truly magical moment to remember.

Don’t forget to visit the Children’s Barn, which will be dressed to impress with glowing lights and a stunning Christmas tree, the perfect backdrop for festive photos and magical moments together.

Grab a ticket here.

3. Dobbies Garden Centre, Ashford

Embrace the festive season with a must-have visit to a Dobbie’s Santa’s grotto this Christmas. Children can make a wish in the enchanted wishing well before entering through the magic door to the North Pole village. 

They’ll take part in various activities in the Grotto ‘shops’, ending at our Penguin Post Office. This experience includes meeting with Santa and, of course, a special gift for your little ones.

Click here for details.

4. The Fenn Bell Conservation Project

This our choice in 2024, head down to Fenn Bell and climb aboard the Santa Safari! They will whisk you away through the zoo and down to the magical winter wonderland where you can meet the main man himself, Father Christmas. You also get access to the zoo included in your ticket. We loved it!

This gets booked up very quickly so get your ticket HERE.

5. Bewl Water

More than a Santa’s Grotto, this 3-hour Christmas event is packed with immersive and interactive festive activities, where every step of your adventure will help raise the Cheer-O-Meter, the ultimate measure of Christmas magic, just in time for the big day.

Book tickets here.

6. The Elf Express at Quex Park

Board the Elf Express this Christmas and immerse yourself in the Magic of the Elf Kingdom and Magical Elf Woods. Our elves need your help to prepare for the big day and can’t wait to welcome you to their world full of festive fun and magic.

​With thousands of Christmas lights, sweet treats and memorable encounters with Santa’s top elves, the Elf Express is a unique and unrivalled interactive theatrical treat this Christmas. Now in it’s 10th year, The Elf Express at Quex Park is the Christmas treat not to be missed.

Grab a ticket here.

Credit: Unsplash.

7. Kent Life Farm

Always a great day out. This year you get to meet Father Christmas in his magical grotto. Little ones will be thrilled to choose a special gift from the wonderfully stocked toy shop.

Soak up the festive spirit as you explore the sweet shop, and even build your very own Be My Bear teddy bear. Enjoy an enchanting live show, then make time for a delicious lunch or a quick snack at Dotty’s Tea Room. You can also hop aboard The Jingle Express for a jolly ride!

Tickets can be booked HERE.

8. Kent & East Sussex Railway

We love Christmas at the Kent and East Sussex Railway, the Santa train is such a different way to celebrate. We did this last year and it was so different to anything else we’ve tried.

You get the the pleasure of a steam train ride knowing your child will meet Santa and receive a gift. It gets booked up quickly though so book early!

Check availability HERE.

9. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at Spa Valley Railway

Your adventure starts exactly like the film, with THE POLAR EXPRESS™ collecting your whole family from Spa Valley Railway to start your magical journey. You’ll meet your favourite icons from the beloved movie, including the Conductor, dancing chefs, a mysterious ghost, and of course the magical Santa Claus himself.

Find out more here.

10. Hever Castle

Step into the magic of Christmas at Hever Castle as the enchanting story of The Nutcracker comes to life. Begin at Drosselmeyer’s workshop, meet familiar characters along the way, and be swept into the colourful Land of Sweets through charming displays. Then step inside the Castle to enjoy the warmth of a traditional Christmas. A visit to Father Christmas is available as an optional extra for little ones.

As darkness falls from 4pm, the grounds are magically transformed. Wrap up warm and step into a world of wonder as the Castle, gardens, and lake are bathed in festive lights, capturing the heart of the Christmas season.

Find out more information here. 

11. Christmas Lights and Neverland at Leeds Castle!

A magical audience with Father Christmas at Leeds Castle awaits! This Christmas, there’s a little problem at Leeds Castle… Father Christmas has forgotten who he is!

After a rather unfortunate mishap testing out his brand-new Santa Jet Pack, Father Christmas has bumped his head and lost his memory. Families will join Father Christmas and his elves on a heart-warming and wonderfully silly adventure to help him remember who he really is and restore the magic of Christmas, with captivating performances from Hoopstar Theatrical, a heartwarming holiday finale, to meet Father Christmas himself.

The Father Christmas experience is a separate ticketed event. Entry to Leeds Castle is required but not included with your Father Christmas ticket.

12. Scotney Castle

Explore magical decorations in the Mansion inspired by your favourite fairytales, late night twinkling illuminations and a gingerbread outdoor trail.

They are also offering delicious bookable lunches in the Coach House Tea Room between 30 November and 18 December.

The festive magic continues into the evening with Late Nights & Lights events. As dusk falls, the mansion glows with beautiful illuminations, the shop stays open for relaxed, stress-free gift shopping, and the tea-room serves warming drinks and seasonal treats—perfect for a cosy evening stroll.

Grab your ticket HERE.

13. Bluewater

In the heart of Kent, a world of wonder & excitement awaits at Winterland! Located at Bluewater Shopping Centre, outside The Village near Zizzi, this spectacular event offers an amazing selection of rides, games, attractions, and delicious treats for the whole family. Celebrate this festive season with a memorable day out at Winterland Bluewater. They don’t appear to have a Santa this year - he must be busy!

Credit: Unsplash.

14. Godstone Farm

Jingle all the way to Godstone Farm this Christmas for a heart-warming festive experience the whole family will love! Your whimsical journey will immerse you in all the festive feels and includes a visit to our special wish room, as well as a chance to operate the sleigh controls. You and your family will meet Father Christmas in his cosy grotto, where children can share their Christmas wishes and then pay a visit to the well stocked Christmas Toy Shop where they can choose their own special gift! Your child can also decorate their own festive treat and you’ll all feel a part of something truly magical.

Tickets are now on sale HERE.

15. Penshurst Place

This venue is holding a Christmas Panto event called "The Christmas Cavity Calamity Mini Panto"!

A great value alternative to longer, more formal pantos is designed for families who want to experience the magic of a traditional panto, who may not want to stay sat still for that long! 

Did you know Mother Christmas had an evil twin?
Gather at the Penshurst Place Mini Panto this year and discover her plan to scupper Christmas by causing a cavity calamity! Can Mother Christmas and Father Christmas intercept this dastardly dentistry before it’s too late?

Book your ticket to find out more!

16. Salomons Estate

As December unfolds, a touch of Christmas magic graces Salomons Estate. Children can enjoy festive colouring, decorate shortbread biscuits and create magical reindeer food with Santa's cheerful elves, before the highlight of the day arrives: a special knock on Santa's door.

The magic doesn't stop there. Little adventurers can head out on our Festive Reindeer Trail, searching for hidden doors, each one bringing them closer to a well-earned cup of hot chocolate. The Bistro serves teas, speciality coffees and lunch throughout the day to keep everyone fuelled.

Ticket information HERE.

17. The Reindeer Centre

Walking through his 150ft magical grotto will be open for everyone to enjoy all the beautiful scenes.

There will be a trail for everyone to follow, which will include seeing all of the wonderful farm animals including the naughty goats, donkeys, rabbits, cute Llamas, unusual chickens and adorable sheep

The reindeers will be the big barn and you can learn all the interesting facts and maybe feed them some food. There will be Christmas activities for the children which include helping the elves prepare some special reindeers food to take away for Rudolph and his team on Christmas Eve

The popular snow play area ( fake snow) will be there again, this along with the small soft play area and also the large boat sand pit area

There is also a under 5’s soft play area, 3 selfie rooms, colouring corner and much more…

Grab a ticket HERE

18. Mission Christmas - Chatham Dockyard

Elfenezer has lost his Christmas spirit. The Golden Ledger is locked and Father Christmas needs your help to put Christmas back on course before the big night.

This Christmas, step through the doors of the Dockyard secret substation and into a brand new magical Mission Christmas adventure.

Journey through Elfenezer’s Past, Present and Future, take on festive challenges and search for the keys that will unlock the Golden Ledger. Complete your mission and a magical meeting with Father Christmas awaits.

Click here for details

19. Royal Engineers Museum Gillingham

The Wartime Christmas weekend at the RE Museum will be as busy as ever this year.

Visit the Royal Engineers Museum’s Wartime Christmas Market, where visitors step back in time to enjoy the sights, sounds and spirit of a traditional wartime Christmas. Featuring local crafts, vintage treasures, festive treats, live music, dancing, historical re-enactors and family entertainment, creating a truly unique shopping experience.

Find out more here.

20. Margate Caves - Christmas in Oz

This Christmas, we’re off to see the Wizard as the Margate Caves are transformed into the magical Land of Oz. ​Venture deep underground, where you’ll find yourself somewhere over the rainbow with Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion.

Along the way, discover the wonderful Oz-themed Christmas trees and make a secret wish at the Caves’ wishing well. And just when you think your adventure is over… listen out for the bell! The Chief Elf will call you for a private visit with Father Christmas in his Cosy Cave, where every child will receive a Christmas gift exclusive to 2026.

Book tickets here.

I hope you have found plenty of inspiration for some of the best places to see Father Christmas in Bromley and wider Kent. 

For more Christmas content check out my posts below on Christmas Gifts for the whole family.

The Best Christmas Gift Ideas For Adults

Christmas Gift Guide For Primary School Children

20 Christmas Casserole Recipes

Nothing beats putting together an easy Christmas casserole in the morning and popping it into the oven, especially during the holidays.

When you're busy baking cookies and planning your dinner menu, who has time to prepare a made-to-order Christmas brunch? That's why Christmas casseroles are the best ever.

These Christmas casserole recipes are the key to a stress-free, hearty holiday meal!

Casseroles are a great choice for Christmas. They're delicious, simple to prepare, and can feed a crowd.

Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

This low-carb Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole with Bacon is warm, creamy, and packed with nutritious broccoli and cauliflower. Keto-friendly!

Bacon, Spinach and Feta Breakfast Casserole

This overnight bacon, spinach, and feta breakfast casserole recipe with french fries is a tasty egg dish that your family will enjoy.

Baked Corn Cheese Casserole

Baked corn cheese casserole, also known as cheesy creamed corn, is one of the best, easiest, and most delicious holiday side dishes you'll make.

Polenta Casserole

Delicious baked layered Polenta Casserole recipe with Mediterranean flavors. Prepare this for dinner tonight! Add leftover rotisserie chicken, ham, or tuna. Polenta resembles grits, but it is a deep yellow color. Prior to the introduction of polenta to Europe, alternative ingredients such as chestnut flour or millet were used.

Baked Ravioli Casserole

This simple baked ravioli casserole recipe is one of the best semi-homemade dishes to prepare when you need quick and easy comfort food. Only a few simple ingredients are required to make this ravioli in a homemade meat sauce. A quick and easy meal is an excellent way to transform simple ravioli into a delicious baked dish.

Leftover turkey Casserole

Best Thanksgiving or Christmas leftover casserole. Makes the turkey moist again and layers ingredients like leftover stuffing and mashed potatoes for the perfect meal. The clever recipe includes a secret ingredient that adds extra moisture and flavor. I am not kidding. This one ingredient is everything.

Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

Biscuit and Gravy Casserole is a southern country breakfast that combines biscuits and gravy, sausage, scrambled eggs, and hash browns all in one pan.

Pulled Pork Casserole

What do you do with the leftover pulled pork? Make a cheesy, hatch chile-infused leftover pulled pork casserole with pasta. It's the ultimate!

Southern Broccoli Rice Casserole

The classic Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole with fresh broccoli, mushrooms, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses is extra-cheesy delicious! What could be wrong with fresh broccoli, mushrooms, onion, homemade cream soup, and both cheddar and Parmesan cheeses? Talk about a savory flavor explosion! Furthermore, the vegetables are high in health-promoting nutrients.

Brussel Sprout Casserole

Oven-baked Brussels sprout casserole is savory and comforting, making it an ideal side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and every day in between.

Savory Butternut Squash Casserole

Savory butternut squash casserole with pecans is a new twist on heavy casseroles. In this flavorful side dish, a bit of bacon adds some fun! Butternut squash is one of my favorite vegetables. However, deciding what to make with it can be difficult. I already enjoy roasted squash in the oven and creamy butternut squash bisque.

Cabbage Roll Casserole

This Cabbage Roll Casserole has tender cabbage baked in a beefy tomato sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It's healthy, filling, and guilt-free comfort food! This hearty and comforting cabbage roll casserole combines the flavors of classic cabbage rolls into a simple, beefy, cheesy casserole. This delicious and satisfying casserole, made with tender cabbage, seasoned ground beef, a savory homemade tomato sauce, and earthy spices, is a healthy meal in one.

Ground Beef Cauliflower Casserole

Comforting ground beef cauliflower casserole with cheese is a simple (and low-carb) recipe for cold winter days.

Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole

For a hearty dinner, make Baked Spaghetti Casserole with ground beef, spaghetti, a creamy cottage cheese filling, and a layer of melted cheese!

Cheesy Beef Zucchini Casserole

Cheesy beef zucchini casserole is a hearty dinner that includes rice, beef, zucchini, and a flavorful cheese sauce. Made from scratch and serves eight! Casseroles are an excellent way to feed a large family or eat leftovers for several days. You'll enjoy this cheesy beef zucchini casserole because it's made with inexpensive pantry staples. Also, it's creamy, flavorful, and filling! This recipe is an excellent way to use up leftover cooked rice. Otherwise, simply prepare a batch of your favorite rice before starting. It's also simple to customize with your favorite cheeses and ground meat (such as ground turkey or pork).

Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

Cheesy broccoli casserole consists of tender cooked broccoli and homemade cheese sauce, which is topped with a buttery panko crust. Broccoli and cheese are a perfect combination. If you agree, you'll love this cheesy broccoli casserole, which is the ideal addition to your next holiday meal!

Creamy Corn Casserole

This creamy corn casserole contains naturally sweet corn, cheese, and jalapenos, all baked in a silky custard. Made from scratch, with no cornbread mix.

Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and satisfying "meat and potatoes" dinner enjoyed by both children and adults. Perfect for a busy weeknight! This hearty and satisfying "meat and potatoes" dinner is popular among both children and adults! It's quick and simple to prepare, with no fussy ingredients required.

Meatball Casserole with artichokes

This delicious Meatball Casserole with Artichokes was inspired by a random thought, and it turned out to be a hit. Who knew artichokes could be so delish?

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

We Dish It Up's Easy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe calls for canned sweet potatoes, brown sugar, mini marshmallows, cinnamon, and pecans.

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