20 Best Places to See Father Christmas In Bromley and Kent
/Updated for 2026! We will keep updating this as we find more details.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
