This Christmas come and visit The Reindeer Centre’s Christmas Grotto, Festive fun for everyone!
Enjoy a special family encounter at our Christmas Grotto with Father Christmas in his festive cabin where every good child receives a quality wrapped present and option to purchase a souvenir photo. Father Christmas and his elves will be here daily from 11th November until Christmas Eve (online booking is required for Christmas Eve only – see below). Stroll through the seven animated scenes in our magical 150ft Christmas Grotto.
Then visit the animal barn, which is all undercover where you can feed the Reindeers and meet the farm animals including goats, pigs, donkeys, llamas, guinea pigs and the cheeky meerkats in the Reptile Corner.
The children can let off steam in the popular straw bale ball pit, climb aboard the pirate ship in the sand play area and then have fun in the artificial snow play area.
In the food hall you can purchase hot drinks and fast food (Burgers, Hotdogs, Sandwiches, Cold Drinks, Sweets, Crisps) and adults can collect their complimentary mince pie.
Christmas Eve 24th December
Due to unprecedented demand and shorter opening hours (9am to 1pm) we have decided to make Christmas Eve a Pre booked limited ticket holder only event.
Tickets for Christmas Eve only are very limited and will be available online.
Please note these are not time slots, and just a guarantee of meeting Santa and gaining entry to the Reindeer Centre.
All other dates from the 10th November to the 23rd December are not bookable and will be pay on the day as normal.
Hi, I’m one of Santa’s Elfs. I live at the Christmas Grotto and I help everyone to come and visit at us Christmas time.
Here are some questions and answers that we get asked all the time, you may find some of your questions are answered here too, like:
Question: Is the Christmas Grotto open everyday?
Answer: Yes. We are open from the 11th November until 24th December daily
or
Question: Can I book a date and time to see Father Christmas?
Answer: No. We do not operate a booking system as our individual Father Christmas visits are special to each family, therefore we don’t wish to impose timed slots, and tickets are only available to be purchased on the day of your visit.
See below for more Questions and Answers
Hi, I’m one of Santa’s Elfs.
I help everyone to come and visit at us Christmas time.
Here are some questions and answers that we get asked all the time, you may find some of your questions are answered here too, like:
Question: Are you open everyday?
Answer: Yes. We are open from the 14th November until 24th December daily (Check opening dates/times/prices in the Calendar page)
or
Question: Can I book a date and time to see Father Christmas?
Answer: No. We do not operate a booking system as our individual Father Christmas visits are special to each family, therefore we don’t wish to impose timed slots, and tickets are only available to be purchased on the day of your visit.
See below for more Questions and Answers
Are you open everyday?
Yes we are open every day from the 10th November until the 24th December,
How long does the visit normally last for?
Most visits are 2/3 hours, on weekends allow more time for queuing to meet Father Christmas!
What are your opening times?
Open 10am till 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. (see Facebook for any additional extra Christmas opening times)
What time do you close on Christmas Eve?
Last admission is at 12 noon, Father Christmas and his Reindeer have a very busy night ahead of them!
Can I book a date and time to see Father Christmas?
No. We do not operate a booking system as our individual Father Christmas visits are special to each family, therefore we don’t wish to impose timed slots, and tickets are only available to be purchased on the day of your visit.
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!
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.
What is there to do?
Plenty, particularly if you like animals and having fun at Christmas there is lots to do! View some of the pet reindeers, then meet Father Christmas in his cosy cabin, where children will receive a quality wrapped gift. Then walk through our large magical animated grotto with seven individual Christmas scenes. Then you have the option to purchase your souvenir photo/snowglobe/magnet/keyring taken with Father Christmas. There is a large food hall where you can purchase hot and cold drinks, burgers, hotdogs sandwiches etc.
Then on to the main indoor Animal barn where the Farm’s Reindeer herd live ,and a chance to pet/feed them. There is Reptile corner and lots of farm animals to meet including goats, ducklings, donkeys, rabbits and exotic pets to. There is the ever popular straw bale ball pit and the (fake) snow play area, bouncy castle and lots more to see and do, with Elf entertainers on hand to help with the Christmas joy.
Do you have a photographer on site?
We have a professionally installed remote photo system in Father Christmas room; the photos are available to be viewed on screen before you purchase them. Prices start from £6.50
Do you have facilities for disabled people?
Yes we do, there are some disabled parking spaces at the top of the barn next to the toilets where there is a ramp access and toilet facilities, although spaces are limited on busy weekends. The rest of the farm is level concrete walkways and all of the grotto and barn are accessible to wheelchairs, mobility scooters and double buggies. Sorry but we do not have any available for hire at present.
I am a carer do I have to pay?
If you visit in November then carers are free, but in December carers will be £5 each, (we can provide you with a receipt if needed).
Do you accept credit/debit cards?
Yes we do, but not American Express, (minimum transaction £10)
Do you have Onsite Catering?
Yes we have a catering facilities selling burgers, hotdogs, bacon rolls, sandwiches, confectionary and hot and cold drinks.
Can I bring my own pack lunch?
Yes
Do you have toilets?
Yes, including disabled toilets and baby changing facilities.
Do I need to bring my wellies?
Well we are a working farm and it can be wet and muddy in places on and near our car park, though once you are through the entrance area most of it is concrete.
Can I feed the reindeer?
Yes, but only with our food (carrots/pellets) which can be purchased on site and all monies go to local charity, (occasionally we have to limit the quantity if they are over their daily quota, or they will not be able to fly!)
Please Remember
The Reindeer Centre is a working farm so please wrap up warm and wear suitable footwear during your visit.
Although it’s all undercover so you will stay dry whatever the weather.
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.
