The experience is designed for children aged 18 months and up, but babies are also very welcome. Please note, the Magical Christmas Tree Experience is only included for children aged 18 months+.

Each child (18 months+) plants a magic bean that transforms into a mini real Christmas tree, which they decorate and take home. Parental supervision is required during the planting process

A visit with Father Christmas, Magical Christmas Tree Experience (18mths+), access to Father Christmas’ Toy Workshop to choose a gift, and optional photo opportunities.

Yes, we offer dedicated SEN sessions from 9am–10am on selected dates. These are marked gold in the booking system. Please let us know on booking of any additional accommodations we can make to ensure your visit is as magical as it can be

Yes. Professional photos can be pre-purchased during booking or bought on the day.

Yes, each of our centres has a large free car park.

Yes – booking is essential. Sessions often sell out, so we recommend booking early.

For 2025 our grottos will be at Tenterden and Canterbury Garden Centres only. Your booking confirmation will include your chosen location’s details. Please make sure you select and check your booking location prior to payment. This cannot be altered once you have confirmed and paid.

Should the need arise for ticket times or dates to be changed, this can be carried out by logging into your online Grovewell Garden Centres events booking account, clicking into your 'order history', locating the relevant booking and changing to an available new time slot. Please note, this function can only be carried out online and no less than 48 hours prior to your booking - the option to change is not available at the tills or over the telephone.

Your ticket will be e-mailed to the e-mail you used when booking. We will need to see a valid ticket to grant access to the Grotto, you are welcome to show the QR code from your phone or a printed e-mail confirmation.

There is wheelchair access throughout the event. There will be allocated storage for pushchairs; however, please note these are left at the owner’s risk

Although dogs are most welcome in our centres, they are not permitted within Father Christmas’ Grotto. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are, of course, welcome following accessibility guidelines.

The magical Christmas tree planting and decorating, and Father Christmas’s Toy Workshop are shared experiences, although we aim to keep these areas as exclusive as possible. Your visit to Father Christmas’ Grotto will be a private experience.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate or refund for late arrivals. 

Well, that’s up to you! Your Grotto visit will take up to 20 minutes, but there’s plenty to see and enjoy in our Centres on the run up to Christmas, as well as our Groves festive menu to try, should you wish to make a day of it.

A selection of age-appropriate gifts for all children and babies to choose from will be available in Father Christmas’ Toy Workshop. Every child or baby with a ticket will receive a gift.

No, it isn’t, but photography items are available to pre-book or to pay for on the day.  

If an event is cancelled due to outside influences (i.e. weather), then we will offer ticket holders an alternative day or time slot. If this is not possible, then a full refund will be given, provided that an original ticket is presented within 28 days of the cancelled event. It is the customer’s responsibility to contact us regarding a refund if their chosen event has been cancelled and no alternative days/times are available.

Yes, for health and safety reasons and to ensure your visit is as magical as possible, visits are limited to a maximum of 6 children. Please note larger families and groups would benefit from booking two adjacent slots to make the most of your time in the grotto. We recommend no more than 4 children per time slot to get the most out of your visit.

Our team are here to help. Please do contact us:

Canterbury Garden Centre 01227 375415 or e-mail info@canterburygc.co.uk