Christmas Grotto
Come along and meet Father Christmas and his magical reindeers. A fantastic Christmas experience for everyone. Walk through his 150ft magical grotto, head into the big Christmas barn and meet all the other wonderful farm animals, feed his reindeer and have fun in the popular snow pit plus much more. We open on Saturday the 23rd of November and will then be open every day until the 24th of December.
This is a ticketed only event
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ONCE THE TICKETS ARE BOOKED WE ARE UNABLE TO REFUND, OR CHANGE THE DATES OR TIMES OF THE BOOKINGS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
To ensure everyone has the best experience, when you purchase your tickets, you will be given a time slot to see Father Christmas. For example, if your designated time to see Father Christmas is 10.00am to 10.30am, then please arrive approximately 15 minutes beforehand at 9.45am.
Once you have had your magical personal encounter with Father Christmas, you can discover all the other great experiences on the farm at your own leisure
When making your selection of tickets, please note
A senior ticket is anyone over the age of 65
A child’s ticket is classed as anyone over 12 months up to 16 years old, however if your child is under 12 months old and you wish them to receive a gift from father Christmas then you will need to purchase a child’s ticket, if you do not wish for them to receive a gift then do not purchase a child’s ticket, please remember this only applies to under 12 months old. If your older teenager does not wish to receive a gift from Father Christmas then you can purchase an adult ticket
For more details go to our frequently asked questions page
Can I amend, transfer, change or get a refund on my tickets
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ONCE THE TICKETS ARE BOOKED WE ARE UNABLE TO REFUND, OR CHANGE THE DATES OR TIMES OF THE BOOKINGS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
Carers Concession
Disabled guests are entitled to an reduced admission price for their carer ticket. You will then need to bring along to your visit one of the following documentations to validate your carers reduced ticket:
Accepted Documentation
- Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance for children under 16 or DLA/Personal Independent Payments (PIP) for those aged 16-64, either in the form of a letter stating that the benefit has been awarded, or the actual Allowance book.
A Headed Letter from GP or Consultant (Dated within the Last 6 months) confirming the need for a full time carer.
A carer must be over 18 years of age and capable of assisting the guest who has the disability. If more than one carer’s ticket is required, a letter from a GP or consultant is needed stating the number of carers required.
Do I have to pay for my child who is under 12 months old?
No, entry is free , but if you wish them to receive a gift from Father Christmas you will need to purchase a standard child’s ticket, the gifts are age appropriate for babies and are a quality item.
A child’s ticket is classed as anyone over 12 months up to 16 years old, however if your child is under 12 months old and you wish them to receive a gift from father Christmas then you will need to purchase a child’s ticket, if you do not wish for them to receive a gift then do not purchase a child’s ticket, please remember this only applies to under 12 months old. If your older teenager does not wish to receive a gift from Father Christmas then you can purchase an adult ticket
Are you open everyday?
We are open everyday from the 23rd November until the 24th December
How long does the visit normally last for?
Generally the visits lasts between 1 to 2 hours, although it can vary from Group/gamily to family
What are your opening times?
Open 10am till 4pm Monday to Friday and 9.30 am – 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. (last entry is 3pm)
What time do you close on Christmas Eve?
Last admission is at 1.30pm , Father Christmas and his Reindeer have a very busy night ahead of them!,
Can I visit the Reindeer Centre and not see Father Christmas?
Yes you can, but the entry fee is the same, we have many guests who visit without children and love to see the animals and all the Christmas cheer. For any older children visiting that don’t wish to meet the big guy in the red suit, just purchase an adult ticket and they won’t have to feel shy! Most older children when given the option of gift or no gift do fold and relent their decision and go along with it all!
What is there to do?
We have today heard from Father Christmas, and his Elves that they will be arriving at the Reindeer Centre on the 18th November to spread some much needed Christmas spirit and to meet all the good boys and girls
Activities on offer will include interacting with father Christmas and his busy elves where all the good boys and girls will receive a quality gift
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 goats, donkeys Llamas and pigs
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 here again this along with the small soft play area and also the large boat sand pit area
Do you have a photographer on site?
We have an automated photo system installed in Santas Grotto, so the whole family can be in the picture, these are available to view with the option to purchase or you can take your own photo if you prefer
Do you have facilities for disabled people?
Do you accept credit/debit cards?
Yes we do, but not American Express,
Do you have Onsite Catering?
We have catering facilities on site with a variety of hot and cold food available all day
Do you have toilets?
Do I need to bring my wellies?
Can I feed the reindeer?
Yes, but only with our food (carrots/pellets) which can be purchased on site (occasionally we have to limit the quantity if they are over their daily quota, or they will not be able to fly!)
Do I have to purchase a ticket or can I just turn up?
At the Reindeer Centre we have introduced a ticketing system for entire christmas event
If I have pre booked on line for a weekend visit, when should I arrive ?
To ensure everyone has the best experience, when you purchase your tickets, you will be given a time slot to see Father Christmas. For example, if your designated time to see Father Christmas is 10.00am to 10.30am, then please arrive approximately 15 minutes beforehand at 9.45am.
Once you have had your magical personal encounter with Father Christmas, you can discover all the other great experiences on the farm at your own leisure
Do I have to Queue
In short Yes!, Your 30 minute time slot allows you to Join Santas Entrance Queue at any time within the 30 minutes allocated time slot.
Staying safe on at farm
ANIMAL CONTACT ADVICE
All animals naturally carry a range of micro-organisms, some of which can be passed onto humans, where they may cause ill health. Some of these such as E Coli 0157, present a serious hazard to health and can cause severe illness. If a member of your group shows signs of illness (e.g. sickness or diarrhea) after a visit, they should visit a doctor explaining they have had recent contact with animals.
✔ Wash hands properly with soap and water
✱ After touching animals or their pens
✱ After leaving the animal contact areas
✱ Before eating or drinking
✱ After changing footwear
✱ Before leaving the farm
✔ Supervise children to wash their hands properly
✔ Cover all cuts and grazes with a waterproof dressing/plaster
✖ Do not kiss animals
✖ Do not eat, drink or breastfeed whilst in the animal areas
✖ Do not let children touch animals or railings if they suck their fingers
✖ Do not allow children to suck their fingers or put anything in their mouth when in the animal areas, including small toys/ comfort blankets
✖ Do not reuse dummies if they touch the floor, until they have been sterilised
If a member of your group shows signs of illness (e.g. sickness or diarrhea) after a visit, they should visit a doctor explaining they have had recent contact with animals.
How to find Us
Enter TN26 3EQ on your Sat Nav
★ From Junction 9 M20, – Leave the Motorway at Junction 9 and take the exit sign posted (Ashford).
★ At the roundabout take the 3rd Exit onto the A28 sign posted (Tenterden/Great Chart).
★ At the next roundabout also take the 3rd Exit onto the A28 sign posted (Tenterden/Great Chart).
★ At the next roundabout (Matalan Roundabout) take the 2nd exit A28 sign posted (Tenterden/ Great chart).
★ At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit A28 sign posted (Tenterden).
★ Continue along this road for about 1.8 miles, take the third turning on the right sign posted (Old Surrenden Manor Road / Pluckley 6 miles), take the 4th turning on your left. (about 3.5 miles along this road, just after “Stone Green Nurseries”)
★ The Reindeer Centre is the first gate on the right.