Santa's Grotto
Visit Santa’s Grotto in Marwell Hall this Christmas
Take a magical journey through our 45 minute grotto experience in historic Marwell Hall, with Christmas storytelling, craft activities and, of course, a special meeting with Santa.
You’ll start your experience in our winter forest, where you’ll be met by one of Santa’s head elves, Hrima or Nisse, who will guide you throughout your Nordic-inspired Christmas adventure.
Santa’s Grotto is available as part of our Christmas at Marwell event and will run on selected dates from Friday 20 November – Thursday 24 December 2026.
Day at Marwell Zoo & Santa
Enjoy a festive day at the zoo with selected Fire & Ice themed activities, and meet Santa in his grotto at Marwell Hall.
Fire & Ice and Santa
Meet Santa and step into Fire & Ice, an immersive festive evening inspired by the wonders of the natural world.
Day at Marwell Zoo, Fire & Ice and Santa
The ultimate Christmas experience. Visit the zoo, meet Santa and experience Fire & Ice after dark.
Explore Santa’s Grotto
Magical storytelling
Gather round as Mielikki, Forest Keeper of the Nordic Forest, shares a magical story from days of old.
Wishing Crafts
Step into our Wish Room to drop a magical coin in the wishing well, and make your wish!
Then create your own mini wish jar or wish star (each craft is tailored to different age groups, with one craft per child).
Meet Santa!
The moment you’ve been waiting for – meet the man himself! All children will receive a gift from Santa (worth £14.95).
Each family will meet Santa one group at a time, giving you the chance to take photos and enjoy some truly magical moments together.
Quiet Sessions
On Thursday 10 December and Thursday 17 December, Santa’s Grotto will quieten down with low-level sound, sensory lighting, and reduced visitor numbers for those of our guests who prefer a calmer environment.
Member Tickets & Discounts
We’re pleased to offer Explorer and Premium Members discounted tickets for Santa’s Grotto. Simply enter your membership number at the checkout. Please make sure you bring your valid Explorer or Premium membership on the day of your visit.
FAQs
Santa will spread his festive cheer in Marwell Hall on selected dates from Friday 20 November – Thursday 24 December 2026:
- Friday 20 November – Sunday 22 November
- Friday 28th November- Sunday 30th November
- Friday 5th December – Sunday 7th December
- Thursday 10th December (Quiet Session)
- Friday 11th December – Sunday 13th December
- Thursday 17th December (Quiet Session)
- Friday 18th December – Wednesday 24th December
All visits must be pre-booked online, and we expect dates to sell out quickly. Please check the booking calendar for the latest availability.
All tickets must be pre-booked in advance online. We’re unable to sell tickets on the day.
Families will be invited to meet Santa one family at a time. You will be called through by one of the elves, before having the chance to take photos and enjoy some truly magical moments together.
Children aged 15 and under will receive a present from Santa, worth £14.95.
Please arrive at Marwell Hall 10-15 minutes before the start time of your session. Last entry for each session will be 5 minutes after the session has started. Due to the nature of the experience, we are unable to allow guests in any later than this.
Please allow at least 30 minutes to walk from the zoo entrance to Marwell Hall. Guests who arrive 5 minutes after the start time of the session may not be able to see Santa.
We expect our grotto experience to be popular and you may have to wait in a short queue before being invited into the grotto while you are checked in by our elves. Timed sessions will reduce congestion and waiting time at the grotto.
If any guests are unable to queue, we suggest that one member of the group waits in the line until they are at the entrance to Marwell Hall when the rest of the group can join them. Please note we are unable to offer fast track entry.
There are no guest toilet facilities inside Marwell Hall. The nearest facilities are at Café Graze and snow leopards.
We cannot accommodate buggies in the grotto so we ask guests to leave buggies at the designated buggy park outside of Marwell Hall. Guests leave any personal belongings at their own risk.
Yes, the grotto is accessible. Please be aware that Marwell Hall Drive, where the grotto entrance is accessed from, is a gravel surface and the exit of the grotto has gravel path surfaces too.
Yes, please! Don’t forget to share them with us on social media using #ChristmasAtMarwell
