When the first frosts touch the fields and the scent of mulled wine fills the air, the Cotswolds transforms into a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, carols, and — most importantly — the chance to meet Father Christmas himself! From cosy grottos and grand hotels to festive farms and canal cruises, Santa will be making special appearances all across the Cotswolds this year. Whether you’re visiting with little ones for their first magical meeting or keeping a cherished family tradition alive, here’s where you can find Father Christmas in the Cotswolds this festive season.
Batsford Arboretum – Santa’s Grotto Among the Trees
Dates: 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 December 2025
Tickets: £10 per child (includes gift)
Website: batsarb.co.uk
Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, Batsford Arboretum offers a beautifully natural setting for Santa’s Grotto. Step into his cosy living room, filled with festive charm, where children can share their Christmas wishes and receive a special gift straight from Santa’s sack. With twinkling lights glimmering through the trees and the scent of pine in the air, it’s the perfect blend of nature and nostalgia. Booking is essential for this much-loved event.
Ellenborough Park – Afternoon Tea with Santa
Date: Saturday 20 December 2025
Website: ellenboroughpark.com
At Ellenborough Park, Christmas meets timeless elegance. Families are invited to a truly enchanting Afternoon Tea with Santa, set in the hotel’s beautifully decorated Great Hall. Little ones can meet Father Christmas, share their festive wishes, and receive a special gift, while adults enjoy a luxurious afternoon tea brimming with festive treats and seasonal cheer. The event offers the perfect blend of indulgence and imagination — a sophisticated yet magical Christmas experience for all ages.
The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury – Santa’s Special Visit
Contact: 01666 822344 | oldbellhotel.co.uk
As one of England’s oldest hotels, The Old Bell provides a truly historic backdrop for meeting Santa. The atmosphere is warm, festive, and wonderfully traditional — just right for making lasting memories. Families can visit Father Christmas as part of a festive afternoon tea experience, filled with delicious seasonal delights and heart-warming hospitality. The perfect Christmas treat in the heart of Malmesbury.
Cotswold Farm Park – Christmas on the Farm
Dates: 21–23 Nov, 28–30 Nov, 5–7 Dec, 12–14 Dec, 18–23 Dec 2025
Website: cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk
There’s no place quite like Cotswold Farm Park for a full-on festive experience. Their beloved Christmas on the Farm event brings the magic of the season to life with a host of joyful activities. Meet Father Christmas for a personalised visit, choose a gift in the Present Room, and make a cuddly companion in the Teddy Bear Workshop.
Families can stroll along Fairy Light Street, toast marshmallows in the Toasting Village, and enjoy sweet treats, hot chocolate, and festive menus. Add in adorable meet-the-animals encounters and a giant snow globe, and you’ve got one of the most heart-warming festive outings in the Cotswolds.
Corinium Museum – Stories with Santa
Date: Saturday 20 December 2025
Tickets: £6 per person (booking essential)
Website: coriniummuseum.org.uk
At the Corinium Museum in Cirencester, Santa swaps his sleigh for a storytelling chair. During Stories with Santa, families can gather to hear Father Christmas share magical tales from the North Pole before he hands out a small gift to every child. With sessions at 11am and 1:30pm, it’s a relaxed and intimate way for young visitors to meet Santa and discover the joy of storytelling at Christmas.
Santa's Express – Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
Dates: November 22, 23, 29, 30 | December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23 2025
Website: gwsr.com
All aboard the Santa Express for a truly magical festive train ride through the Cotswolds! Departing from Cheltenham Racecourse Station (or Toddington on 13 December), children and families can enjoy a journey full of holiday cheer and surprises.
During the trip, children will visit Santa to share their Christmas wishes and receive a gift. Free refreshments are included for all — mince pies and mulled wine for adults, and chocolate and drinks for children.
Families can enjoy singing penguins on Platform 1, festive photo opportunities with a snowy sleigh, selfie frames and more. Guests can also write and post a letter to Santa using the blank letter provided in the activity booklet.
With twinkling lights, joyful carols, and the steam of the locomotive, the Santa Express combines the wonder of Christmas with the romance of a classic Cotswolds train ride — perfect for creating magical memories that last a lifetime.
Fairytale Farm – Christmas Fairytale 2025
Dates: Weekends 22 Nov–7 Dec, daily 8–24 Dec
Website: christmasfairytale.co.uk
Fairytale Farm in Chipping Norton turns into a glittering storybook world for Christmas Fairytale 2025, inspired by A Christmas Carol. Step into Victorian London, wander through snowy streets lit with twinkling lights, and meet Father Christmas in his cosy grotto before collecting a gift from Tom’s Toy Shop. The whole farm dazzles with light displays, festive trails, and animal encounters — all included in your ticket. Advance booking is essential for this magical family adventure.
Oxford Bus Museum – Santa’s Bus Grotto
Dates: Sunday 14 & Sunday 21 December 2025, 10am–4pm
Website: oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk
Hop aboard for a Christmas experience with a vintage twist at the Oxford Bus Museum. Children can visit Father Christmas in his charming Bus Grotto and receive a special gift, while families explore the museum’s festive model railway displays — a delight for kids and grown-ups alike. There are also 25-minute heritage bus rides at 12:15pm and 2:15pm, adding a nostalgic touch to this unique festive day out.
Cotswold Canals Trust – Santa Cruises
Location: Wallbridge Lock, Stroud | Dates: Weekends in December
Tickets: £7 (includes a gift for each child)
Website: cotswoldcanals.org
Set sail with Santa on the Cotswold Canals Trust’s Santa Cruises aboard the Perseverance. These 25-minute festive boat trips glide along the canal, where children can meet Father Christmas, receive a small gift, and watch the water sparkle with reflections of festive lights. Departing from Wallbridge Lock in Stroud, it’s a calm and charming way to celebrate Christmas from the water — a magical experience for families who love a touch of adventure.
Cogges Manor Farm – Meet Santa in the Manor House
Dates: 6–23 December 2025, 10am–5pm
Website: cogges.org.uk
Step back in time and experience Christmas at Cogges Manor Farm, where Santa has set up his workshop inside the historic Manor House. Families can peek into Santa’s world before meeting the man himself and receiving a special gift. The Manor’s cosy kitchen will be filled with festive warmth, offering refreshments and plenty of Christmas cheer after your visit.
Children can continue the fun at the Christmas Disco and get creative with craft activities in the Party and Craft Barn — perfect for little ones to make their own festive treasures. Separate ‘Meet Santa’ tickets are required for children in addition to general admission, though Season Ticket Holders only need to purchase a Santa ticket.
With twinkling lights, cheerful elves, and music filling the air, Cogges offers an enchanting family day out that combines the charm of tradition with the joy of hands-on festive fun. Advance booking is recommended, as places are limited for this popular event.
The Folk of Gloucester – Meet Santa in a Tudor Treasure
Date: Saturday 6 December 2025, 10am–4pm
Website: ticketsource.co.uk/gloucester-civic-trust
Step into one of Gloucester’s oldest surviving Tudor buildings for a truly atmospheric Christmas experience at The Folk of Gloucester. Santa and his cheerful elf will be greeting families throughout the day, ready to listen to Christmas wishes and hand out special gifts.
Children can follow a festive Christmas trail through the 500-year-old building, solving clues and uncovering hidden surprises along the way. After meeting Father Christmas, families can relax in The Folk Café, where hot drinks, cakes, and seasonal treats await.
With its mix of history, storytelling, and festive fun, this event offers a warm and welcoming way to celebrate Christmas in the heart of Gloucester. Tickets are £6 per child (adults go free) — perfect for a magical family day out.
A Cotswold Christmas to Remember
From storytelling in ancient museums to toasting marshmallows on the farm, gliding along canals, or riding the festive Santa Express through the Cotswolds, the region offers countless ways to meet Father Christmas — each filled with its own charm and magic. Whether you’re stepping aboard a steam train, exploring a glittering fairytale farm, or sipping tea in a grand hotel, these experiences promise to create cherished memories that last long after the stockings are packed away.
So, bundle up, bring your Christmas list, and follow the twinkling lights — Santa is waiting for you in the Cotswolds.