Festive Family Fun Days
Families can meet Santa inside his giant Christmas pudding grotto, pose for photos in his sleigh, and see Arthur the sleeping polar bear. Activities across the centre include viewing outdoor nativity animals, pony rides for young children, Christmas crafts, balloon modelling, and face painting. Visitors can also embark on an Elf Hunt around the garden centre and listen to local choirs perform festive cheer.
What to Expect
Charity festive fun featuring Santa's giant Christmas pudding grotto and nativity animals.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Ashtead Park Garden Centre
Food & Drink
The Olive Tree will serve festive treats from a reduced menu.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Festive and family-focused
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: No general admission price is stated. Nativity animals: donations to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity by cash or card. Pony rides: £8 each for children aged 2-8, payable by cash or card. Festive face painting: £6 per face and £6 per balloon. Christmas crafts: £1-£5. Elf Hunt: included with a Santa ticket or £1. Activities other than Santa do not need advance booking and are paid for on the day.
- Hours: Nativity animals: 10.30am-3.30pm, closing for lunch 12.30-1.30pm on Sunday 6 December; Surrey Magic Ponies: 11am-3pm on Saturday 5 and Saturday 12 December only; Christmas crafts: 10am-4pm.
- Accessibility: Santa is happy to come outside the grotto to meet visitors if access is problematic.
- Pets: Dogs are not allowed within the animal enclosure.
Tips & Advice
- Book Santa tickets in advance, because numbers are limited and you can't see Santa without a pre-booked ticket.
- Bring cash for the pay-on-the-day extras, such as Christmas crafts, the Elf Hunt and face painting, none of which need booking ahead.
- Wrap up warm to see the Nativity Animals outside, and remember they close for a lunch break on Sunday 6 December.
- Come on Saturday 5 or Saturday 12 December if your child aged 2 to 8 wants a pony ride, as the ponies aren't there on Sunday.
- Bring your camera or phone, since you can take your own photos with Santa and in his sleigh, or ask an elf to take them for you.
Special Events & Promotions
- Pony rides with Surrey Magic Ponies for ages 2 to 8, on Saturday 5 and Saturday 12 December only
- Local choirs, including The Downsmen, Natural Voices and Epsom Male Voice Choir, singing in The Olive Tree to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
- Santa's Giant Christmas Pudding Grotto: a separate ticket, booked in advance, that includes a gift and the Elf Hunt
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do besides seeing Santa?
Outside, you can see the Nativity Animals, and donations go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. There are also Christmas crafts, face painting and balloon modelling with Kim's Merry Balloons, and an Elf Hunt around the garden centre that ends with a small prize. Local choirs sing too, and you can pick out a Christmas tree.
Do we need to book?
You only need to book if you want to see Santa. Every other activity is pay-on-the-day, and you can join in even without a Santa ticket.
Who can ride the ponies?
Surrey Magic Ponies give short rides to children aged 2 to 8. They're there on Saturday 5 and Saturday 12 December only, not on Sunday 6 December.
Is there food?
Yes. The Olive Tree is open for festive treats from a reduced menu.
Is it suitable for children with sensory needs?
The centre is small and doesn't run SEN-specific sessions. The entrance will be busy and noisy, and you'll queue to see Santa. If access is difficult, Santa is happy to come outside the grotto to meet you.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
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