santa grottos/santa experiences

snowmen

I know this is a little early but I am looking at suggestions for this year to take the children to see santa either at a grotto or at a specialist venue. Our kids are 2 and 5.
Suppose this would come under the "value for money" moneysavingexpert banner!
We have been to Santa's Wee Village before which was OK.
We also heard that Glenarm castle was good but on looking this has sold out (although they have released a couple of Monday dates but we cannot go then due to work/school).


Any suggestions?

Cotta

This post has been reported.

snowmen

Cotta wrote: »

This post has been reported.

Why did you report my post?

Cotta

snowmen wrote: »

Why did you report my post?

Obviously I didn't really, just a little joke as it's still October!!

snowmen

Cotta wrote: »

Obviously I didn't really, just a little joke as it's still October!!

Oh, right.

Cherryscone

I took mine down to The Famine Village at Inishowen one year not sure if it is still on or not anymore sadly my 9 year old is now a non believer it wont be the same this year.

snowmen

Cherryscone wrote: »

I took mine down to The Famine Village at Inishowen one year not sure if it is still on or not anymore sadly my 9 year old is now a non believer it wont be the same this year.

Thanks for the response! Sorry to hear about the non-believer status too.


A friend at work mentioned that there are steam trains that run "santa trains" around xmas - I think the route is whitehead to Belfast or bangor to Belfast.
Not sure what they are like but I will look into it.

jjd

We went on the steam train a few years ago. It was good, santa was on the train and children received a small gift. I'm on their mailing list and got email today regarding new dates for christmas. It is now £12 per person, and although it was good it's not something I would do twice at that price. http://visit-belfast.com/things-to-do/member/steam-trains-ireland

The Downpatrick steam railway, although small is very good (short time on train). They now have a steam train museum too, so you can get the train have a walk around inch abbey, train back and look at museum with lots of old trains. At Halloween and Christmas they do events to meet Santa etc, it's quite a bit cheaper than steam trains Ireland events. http://www.downrail.co.uk/index.htm

Another place i've been which I found to be fantastic was Santa's cottage in Hilltown. It is VERY expensive in my opinion but totally worth it for a once off. Lovely cottage in the hills, the whole place and surrounding fields all lit up (best going when dark), meet santa on your own in his house, look around the house and santa even comes down the chimney in the log cabin, reindeers. It has been a while (6years) since I was there so it may be improved. Unsure of price, but it isn't moneysaving. If you've young kids it's fab.http://www.santascottage.co.uk

snowmen

jjd wrote: »

Another place i've been which I found to be fantastic was Santa's cottage in Hilltown. It is VERY expensive in my opinion but totally worth it for a once off. Lovely cottage in the hills, the whole place and surrounding fields all lit up (best going when dark), meet santa on your own in his house, look around the house and santa even comes down the chimney in the log cabin, reindeers. It has been a while (6years) since I was there so it may be improved. Unsure of price, but it isn't moneysaving. If you've young kids it's fab.http://www.santascottage.co.uk

Thanks for the detailed reply!
I will definitely look into this one - not one I have heard of in the past but looks fantastic as you say.

snowmen

Just seen that stenaline do santa cruises for the children - basically a non-landing return trip to Scotland with santa on board and party games etc.
Anyone been on one of these before?