Popular Essex farm to be transformed into Christmas grotto where you can meet animals

Visiting a Christmas grotto is a brilliant occasion
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Christmas is creeping on us sooner than expected, and families are looking for different Santa Grottos to get the kids into the festive spirit. The Barleylands Father Christmas Experience is set to fill this gap, taking place on selected dates from November 29 2024 through to Christmas Eve!

Tickets must be booked in advance and your experience will include a friendly elf to greet the whole family, who will see if you are on the naughty or nice list at BarleyLands farm! Once you have been checked into the Magical Christmas Barn, the elf will take you through to the grotto.

Waiting for you will be Father Christmas himself, in his cosy grotto, ready to find out what your heart truly desires this year. His helpful elves can then take your photo with your own phone or camera.

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Before you leave, Father Christmas will decide if you have been good enough to receive a special token! If you have been a good girl or boy, you will be given a token for the Toy Factory, where you can trade your token for a present of your choice.

Keep hold of your token as before you visit the toy shop, you will be escorted through the Winter Walkway (perfect for photo opportunities) and then on to Mother Christmas. Whilst with Mother Christmas in her Christmas kitchen, you will be able to make a Christmas decoration and decorate some delicious gingerbread which you can eat or take home.

All tickets include access to the farm park, ready to meet some adorable farm animals. No matter what time slot you have been allocated to visit Father Christmas, you can visit the farm park at any time from 10am to 4pm on the day of your booking.

This means you can enjoy all the usual fun on the farm including meeting and feeding the animals, tractor and trailer rides. There will also be indoor soft play, birds of prey displays, animal activities, outdoor adventure play and more!

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