Looking for magical, interactive Christmas days out in Sussex, Kent and Surrey with Santa visits, hands-on fun and plenty to keep kids of all ages busy? Here’s a hand-picked list of 10 family Christmas experiences for 2025, with dates, opening times, prices, grotto info, toddler/SEN suitability and food options. Top Tip: Always double-check the venue’s website before you book, dates, times and prices can change and many events sell out fast.
A Magical Christmas at Drusillas Park, East Sussex
Where: Drusillas Park, Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5QS
- Dates 2025: 22 November-23 December
- Opening times: Typically 10:00–5pm (grotto slots bookable within the day).
- Prices: Standard park tickets vary by date. Santa Experience add-on: from, £18–£19 per child including gift (adults don’t pay extra for the grotto, but need park admission).
- Grotto? Yes, a cosy Christmas cottage where each child has a one-to-one with Santa and receives a present.
What to expect:
Drusillas switches into full winter-wonderland mode with twinkling lights, a 24-foot Christmas tree and a trio of singing reindeer, on top of one of the South East’s most toddler-friendly zoos and play areas.
- Toddlers: Excellent, buggy-friendly paths, small animals and plenty of soft play.
- SEN: Lots of space outdoors; consider off-peak weekdays for lower crowds.
- Older children: Enjoy the zoo, rides and photo spots as well as Santa.
- Eateries: Multiple cafés and kiosks serving hot food, snacks and festive treats.
Tulleys Christmas Experience, West Sussex
Where: Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill Road, Turners Hill, Crawley, RH10 4PD
- Dates 2025: Late November–24 December on selected dates (Christmas Experience and separate Light Festival evenings).
- Opening times: Daytime sessions for the full Christmas Experience; evening times (from around 4:30pm) for the Light Festival, check the date grid when booking.
- Prices (guide):
- Christmas Experience: recent seasons from £60+ per child, £30–£35+ per adult depending on date (premium Lapland-style day out).
- Light Festival only: from around £20+ per person on selected nights.
- Grotto? Yes, Santa’s Grotto is part of the main Christmas Experience.
What to expect:
Think LaplandUK vibes without leaving Sussex: sleigh-style rides, immersive Elf activities, 3D cinema, circus shows, gingerbread and reindeer-food making, plus a lengthy, structured itinerary of festive stations.
- Toddlers: Visually magical but it’s a long day; best if they can manage several hours.
- SEN: Very stimulating (lights, sounds, crowds), great for sensory seekers but may be overwhelming; look for quieter daytime slots.
- Older children: Superb, packed schedule, shows and “big kid” activities.
- Eateries: Huge Christmas village with street food, bars and sweet treats.
Bluebell Railway Santa Specials, East/West Sussex
Where: Depart from Sheffield Park Station, near Uckfield, East Sussex (Bluebell Railway).
- Dates 2025: Selected dates 29 November-24 December.
- Times: Typical departures at 10am, 11:05am, 1pm and 2:05pm (check your chosen day).
- Prices:
- Sold by compartment e.g. 1st or 3rd class compartments for 6–10 people from around £230–£290 per compartment depending on class/date.
- Grotto? Not a static grotto, instead, children follow a route to Santa’s Parlour during the trip to meet him and receive a gift.
What to expect:
All-aboard a heritage steam train dressed for Christmas, with entertainers, music and a Santa visit built into the experience. Families also get time at Horsted Keynes station for funfair rides and photos.
- Toddlers: Lovely if they like trains; compartment seating is handy for naps and prams.
- SEN: Private compartments and accessible options are available, which can be great for children who need their own space; noise levels still festive.
- Older children: Enjoy the nostalgia, funfair and the novelty of meeting Santa on a train.
- Eateries: On-board refreshments plus cafés at stations; bring snacks for little ones.
Santa’s Secret Grotto at Aldingbourne Country Centre, West Sussex
Where: Aldingbourne Country Centre, Blackmill Lane, Norton, Chichester, PO18 0JP
- Dates 2025: 7, 14, 21, 22 & 23 December.
- Times: Sessions from 10am, 3:30pm and 4pm depending on listing.
- Prices: Family tickets bookable online (exact 2025 prices shown at checkout).
- Grotto? Yes, a “Secret Garden” grotto with a private visit and gift for each child, plus craft workshop (reindeer food & decorations).
What to expect:
- A smaller-scale, gentler Christmas experience with an enchanted garden walk, hands-on crafts and an unhurried one-family-at-a-time visit with Santa.
- Toddlers: Very s,uitable calm, not too big, lots of sensory interest.
- SEN: Great option if you prefer a quieter, more controlled environment and private Santa time.
- Older children: Will enjoy crafts and the magical garden, though it’s more low-key than the huge commercial events.
- Eateries: On-site café at the country centre for hot drinks, cakes and light meals.
Christmas at Bewl Water, Kent
- Where: Bewl Water Country Park, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JH
- Dates 2025: Selected dates mid-November-24 December
- Duration/Times: Around 3-hour immersive “Christmas Quest” sessions with bookable start times.
- Prices: Approx £40 per child and £15 per adult, including the quest and grotto visit.
- Grotto? Yes, a personalised visit to Santa’s grotto with gift and photo opportunities.
What to expect:
Bewl Water markets itself as Kent’s most immersive Christmas experience: families follow a story-driven quest, powering the “Cheer-O-Meter” through games, crafts, cookie decorating, character interactions and a final meeting with Santa.
- Toddlers: Lots to see but 3 hours can be long; ideal from preschool age upwards.
- SEN: Structured but busy and high-energy; consider early sessions and check for any relaxed times.
- Older children: Excellent, interactive storyline keeps them engaged.
- Eateries: Market Square with festive food, drinks and treats, plus Bewl’s usual cafés.
Christmas Fun at Knockhatch Adventure Park, East Sussex
Where: Knockhatch Adventure Park, Hailsham Bypass, Hailsham, BN27 3GD
- Dates 2025: The Christmas season at Knockhatch runs from Saturday 6 December to Tuesday 23 December 2025, with festive events & grotto visits on weekends and selected days.
- Opening times: Park opens 10:00 am-5:30 pm daily.
- Grotto & Prices:
- Father Christmas Grotto: on Sat 6 & Sun 7, Sat 13 & Sun 14, Sat 20 & Sun 21, and Mon 22 & Tue 23 Dec. Timeslots: 11:00–1:00 & 2:00–5:00 pm.
- Cost: £9.99 per child (includes a hand-wrapped gift). Adults don’t need a grotto ticket, but everyone (adults & kids) needs park entry.
What to expect:
Knockhatch transforms into a festive wonderland with a magical Father Christmas grotto housed in the Froggies indoor soft-play building, plus holiday-themed activities, a Snowman Hunt across the park, winter animal-feeding shows, festive crafts, and seasonal entertainment (like an Elf on the Shelf show and live performances).
- Toddlers: Very toddler-friendly-the indoor play areas, soft-play building, gentle rides and zoo animals make it a great fit for little ones. The grotto is small and manageable, and there’s a soft-play area for rest.
- SEN: Good option if you prefer a less crowded, contained grotto and indoor play area, with more control over timing. The park layout includes soft-play and indoor zones that may offer a calmer environment.
- Older children: Plenty of variety, zoo animals, rides, playbarn, holiday-themed adventures and interactive hunts will keep them engaged.
- Eateries & Facilities: There are cafés/food & drink facilities on-site as part of the regular park offerings useful for a full day out in winter weather. Plus new festive treat station
Father Christmas at Leeds Castle, Kent
Where: Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL
- Dates 2025: Selected dates late November-24 December (alongside Christmas Lights and “Neverland” themed events).
- Opening times: Castle daytime opening; grotto timeslots bookable in advance.
- Prices:
- Father Christmas add-on from £22 per child, plus castle admission (Explorer or Ultimate Explorer tickets).
- Grotto? Yes, a Christmas grotto experience where children help solve a festive mystery before meeting Father Christmas.
What to expect:
Leeds Castle layers on Neverland-themed trails, light installations and a full Christmas Lights trail, with fairground rides and seasonal extras around the grounds-ideal if you want Santa plus a full day at a historic castle.
- Toddlers: Pram-friendly paths; lots of walking, so bring a buggy.
- SEN: Wide outdoor spaces and flexible pacing; Christmas Lights evenings can be busy and bright.
- Older children: The mystery element, lights and fairground give strong “big kid” appeal.
- Eateries: Multiple cafés, kiosks and seasonal food stalls across the estate.
Santa’s Secret Village at Hobbledown, Epsom (Surrey)
Where: Hobbledown Adventure Farm Park & Zoo, Horton Lane, Epsom, Surrey
- Dates 2025: Until 24th December.
- Experience length: ~1-hour immersive grotto journey plus full-day admission to Hobbledown included.
- Prices: Early-bird child tickets from £31.50 (weekday), standard child from £35–£45 on peak dates. Adults from £16.50.
- Grotto? Yes, you journey through Santa’s Post Office, Toy Distribution Centre and Enchanted Forest before a private grotto visit and gift. Adults get a complimentary hot chocolate.
What to expect:
An immersive, story-led Santa experience built onto an already fantastic adventure park with outdoor villages, indoor play barn and small zoo.
- Toddlers: Dedicated “Toddler Santa Experience” sessions for under-5s are available (1 adult + 1 child ticket format).
- SEN: Lots of space and varied environments; sensory-rich, so consider quieter weekday slots if crowds are an issue.
- Older children: High-energy, very interactive – great for primary and tweens.
- Eateries: On-site cafés plus seasonal food points; plenty of spots for lunch and snacks.
A Magical Christmas at Godstone Farm, Surrey
Where: Godstone Farm, Tilburstow Hill Road, Godstone, Surrey RH9 8LX
- Dates 2025: 22 November – 24 December.
- Opening times: Farm from 09:30; Father Christmas time slot during your visit.
- Prices: From £28.95 per person for the full Father Christmas package (includes farm admission, toy of choice, show and extras).
- Grotto? Yes-a private family visit to Father Christmas, plus the chance to choose a toy in the Christmas shop.
What to expect:
Godstone Farm goes big on value: admission includes a Jingle and Jangle Christmas theatre show, cookie decorating, animal interactions, indoor play barn access and the usual farm fun – more like a whole-day festival than a simple grotto.
- Toddlers: Ideal-animals, soft play and short, lively show.
- SEN: They specifically offer SEND Father Christmas visits, with adapted sessions for children with additional needs.
- Older children: Big indoor play, interactive show and responsibility of choosing a toy all keep them engaged.
- Eateries: On-site cafés plus festive snacks, with indoor seating for wintery days.
RHS Wisley Glow, Woking, Surrey
Where: RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB
- Dates 2025: 21 November 2025 – 4 January 2026 (closed 24–26 December).
- Times: 16:00–21:00, pre-booked time slots; allow 60–90 minutes for the trail.
- Prices: Adults from £21.25, children from £13.75 (under-5s often cheaper/free depending on ticket type).
- Grotto? No standard Santa grotto – this is a light trail rather than a Father Christmas meet.
What to expect:
One of the most beautiful Christmas light trails in the South East – iconic gardens transformed with illuminated trees, lakeside light shows, and tunnels of colour. There are marshmallow-toasting spots and cosy food chalets along the route.
- Toddlers: Magical visuals; use a buggy and wrap up warm.
- SEN: After-dark trail with lights and music; great if they enjoy visual stimulation, but can be busy – look for earlier slots and quieter dates.
- Older children: Love the scale, photo ops and interactive light moments.
- Eateries: Permanent cafes plus seasonal chalets for hot food, churros, sweets and mulled wine.
Tips for Choosing the Right Christmas Experience
- On a budget? Aldingbourne, Kent Life and Bluebell (when shared between a group) can work out cheaper than the big-ticket Lapland-style events.
- Best for toddlers: Drusillas, Kent Life, Godstone Farm and Aldingbourne, all are compact, farm/animal-based and buggy-friendly.
- Best for SEN-friendly options: Look for private or compartment-based experiences (Bluebell, Aldingbourne, Godstone’s SEND sessions) and quieter weekday slots.
- Wow-factor for older kids: Tulleys, Bewl Water, Hobbledown and Leeds Castle offer big, immersive storylines and light shows.
