Where to see Santa in Cornwall 2023

Dates: Friday 1-Sunday 3 December 20232, Friday 8-Sunday 10 December 2023 and Thursday 14-Sunday 24 December 2023
Times: Slots must be pre-booked. Head to the official website for times
Location: Eden Project, Bodelva, Par (5km from St Austell)
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: Meet Father Christmas and his Elves in a log cabin at the Christmas Base Camp at the famous biomes in a ‘brand new interactive theatrical experience’ that lasts around 40 minutes. There’s a science theme with ‘some extraordinary revelations about the magic of plants’, plus kids can meet the jolly man and receive ‘a gift they can grow for many years to come’
Price: Varies between £12 and £16 depending on which session you book. Check the official website for the sessions

Dates: Friday 1-Tuesday 19 December 2023
Times: Various weekday slots to choose between 11am and 1.30pm for group experiences or 3pm and 6.40pm each day for one-on-ones
Location: The Bedruthan Hotel and Spa Cornwall, Trenance, Mawgan Porth, near Newquay
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: Two different experiences to choose from: one with other families that includes a workshop where kids can decorate gingerbread treats and post letters to Santa before meeting the man himself (meal not included but can be added on) and another one-on-one (that’s actually for up to eight people) that’s the same experience but is more personal and does include a meal
Price: One-to-one ticket is £45 for a child and adult and group ticket is £15 a child and £5 an adult. See the official website for all the different price options and details

Dates: Every weekend in December in the run up to Christmas Day, plus Thursday 21 and Friday 22 December 2023
Times: Train departs Bodmin General Station at 10am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm each day
Location: Bodmin and Wenford Railway, Bodmin General Station on the B3268 Lostwithiel Road, Bodmin
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: The team at the attraction say this is an ‘experienced refreshed for 2023’. Santa and his elves will join a train ride from Bodmin General to Bodmin Parkway and back again with you. He will meet families, scoff mince pies and gift presents and there will be activity sheets provided, plus later see Santa’s Victorian Carriage and enjoy Christmas arts and crafts activities back at the station
Price: Adults from £15.95, children from £19.95 and under-twos from £10.95 (tickets include a single line return steam train trip to Bodmin Parkway and, for kids, a soft toy gift)

Dates: Saturday 2, Sunday 3, Saturday 9, Sunday 10 and Saturday 16-Sunday 24 December 2023
Times: Pre-book a slot between 10am and 5.40pm on the selected days
Location: Dairyland Farm Park, Tresillian Barton, Newquay
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: Meet Father Christmas in his grotto, receive a present, have fun with the elves and then head out to meet all those cool and cute animals in the park. There are also options for ‘breakfast with Santa’ over December 2023
Price: £8 for a family with one child, £16 with two kid (£8 per child, in essence. That price doesn’t include park entry, though!)

Dates: Saturday 2 & 9, Sunday 3 & 10 and Saturday 16-Saturday 23 December 2023
Times: Book a 30-minute slot between 11.15am and 4pm
Location: Trerice, Kestle Mill, Newquay
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: Father Christmas is stopping by the National Trust property’s North Chamber to share stories and cultural traditions of Christmases from yesteryear. Every child goes home with a special present from the jolly red man
Price: Adults £3.50 and kids £4.50 (Price does not include entry to the property!)

Dates: Saturday 2-Sunday 24 December 2023
Times: Various times you can select online. Time slots allocated by elves!
Location: Lappa Valley steam train attraction, Lappa Valley, St Newlyn East, Newquay
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: Father Christmas’ grotto in the world’s best steam train attraction (in our opinion!). Journey across the winter countryside on a train, meet the jolly man, receive a present from his elves, write a letter to Santa, play adventure golf and ‘enjoy unlimited rides on the festive-themed Woodland Railway’. Now that’s a day out!
Price: £17.99 per child (one to 15 years old). Adults are £15.99. Under-ones are free if they don’t receive a gift. Other options available

Dates: Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 December 2023
Times: 10.15am-4pm on both days
Location: Heartlands, Dudnance Lane, Pool, near Redruth
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: The ‘Nadelik’ festive market at Heartlands is worth a visit in its own right but for kids, the Santa’s Grotto is a must. Inexpensive, fairly brief but full of the sort of Christmas cheer this Pool attraction has become famous for and does just right!
Price: One child is £10. Other options available so click on the ‘Read More’ below for the full details…

Dates: Saturday 2 & 9, Sunday 3 & 10 and Saturday 16-Saturday 23 December 2023
Times: Pre-book slots between 10.15am and 3.15pm or 4pm (there are storytelling sessions too, so check the website for those times)
Location: Trelissick, Dicky Lane, Feock, near Truro
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: Santa tells a ‘ special story of a Cornish Christmas’ in the National Trust property’s stable yard before giving gifts to kids at the end of his tale. This is not a one-on-one, though. It’s more a fun storytelling experience in a group
Price: Adults £2 and children £6 (which includes the gift too!)

Dates: Saturday 2, 9 & 16, Sunday 3, 10 & 17 and Wednesday 20-Saturday 23 December 2023
Times: Slots between 9.30am and 4.30pm each day
Location: Trevena Cross Nurseries and Garden Centre, off the A394, Breage, Helston
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: The garden centre’s Santa’s Grotto returns for the first time since 2019. Expect a winter wonderland and a cosy meeting with Father Christmas, as well as a selection of age-appropriate gifts to choose from at the end
Price: £10 per child. This includes the gift. You must pre-book, however, so click on that yellow button below to do so

Dates: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 December 2023
Times: Saturday: various hour-long slots between 11am-6pm; Sunday: various hour-long slots between 10am-3.30pm
Location: Lanivet Parish Community Centre, Rectory Road, Lanivet, near Bodmin
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: This special grotto in Lanivet is for autistic children and those with additional needs, although all are welcome. It’s suitable for all ages. There’s also a raffle which is drawn at the end of each session, tombola and refreshments
Price: £8 per child but parents or carers go for free. Book your place via the official Facebook page. Click ‘Read More’ for details

Dates: Sunday 10 & 17 December 2023
Times: 12midday-2.30pm
Location: China Fleet Country Club, Salt Mill, Saltash
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: Merry Christmas, one and all, at this popular country club in Saltash. Enjoy a two-course Christmas carvery in a private room where Santa and his elves greet your kids with a gift. Expect a seasonal choir too and colouring-in options for the rugrats
Price: £22.50 per person (includes the meal, of course) but under-twos go for free

Dates: Friday 15-Sunday 24 December 2023
Times: There are slots (experience takes around 10 minutes) between 10am and 6.30pm each day
Location: Shipwreck Treasure Museum (entrance), Quay Road, Charlestown, near St Austell
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: Meet Santa and get a gift at the entrance to the ‘Tunnel of Lights’ experience at the museum. This is a separate ticket to that experience, though. Ah, the full lowdown is just one click away. Click the ‘Read More’ button below…
Prices: Four to 15-year-olds are £15 and up to three-year-olds are £10 (both including a gift)

Dates: Every day between Saturday 16 and Saturday 23 December 2023
Times: An array of 45-minute slots between 10am and 2pm each day
Location: Enys House and Gardens, a few minutes off the A39 between Penryn and Mylor Bridge, near Falmouth
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: This is a unique Santa’s Grotto experience that’s for kids and families in an old mansion house on the outskirts of Penryn. Meet Father Christmas and his enchanted woodland helpers, enjoy a magical festive experience, receive a gift in the grotto and take part in family activities and a storytelling session with Santa
Price: Early bird: one adult and one child is £19.50. Other options available

Dates: Every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday between Sunday 26 November and Sunday 24 December 2023
Times: Slots that can be pre-booked are 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm
Location: Bodmin Jail, Berrycoombe Road, Bodmin
The ho-ho-ho-lowdown: Well now this is different. And definitely not for little kids. But if you’re over 14 years old then you may fancy heading to this historical attraction for a 40-minute interactive grotto session with the mythical Krampus. Let the slay bells ring…
Price: £20 per person