Find out where you can meet Santa this Christmas
Christmas is on its way, which means Santa is Coming to Town! If you would like to know where you can meet him in Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, read on...
Where to find Santa in Northamptonshire
Santa Special Trains Sunday 26th Nov. Every weekend in December up to Christmas Day. Come along to visit Santa in his Magical Grotto and then take a train ride along the Northampton & Lamport Railway from Pitsford and Brampton station. Every child will receive a present from Santa, a soft drink and biscuits. Northampton & Lamport Railway, Pitsford & Brampton Station, Pitsford Rd, Chapel Brampton, NN6 8BA. www.nlr.org.uk
Berzerk Grotto Friday 15th December. There will be lots of Christmas fun at Berzerk! Come along to Santa's grotto, 9am - 5pm. Just £2 per child. There will be an under 10's Christmas disco 6pm - 7pm. No need to book, just turn up!* *Normal entrance fees apply. Berzerk Leisure, 4 Clayfield Close, Northampton, NN3 6QF. www.trilogyleisure.co.uk/about/berzerk
Santa Cruises Every WEekend and 18th - 24th December. Depart from The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne for a 1½ hour cruise through the famous Blisworth Tunnel in their narrowboat 'Indian Chief' to Blisworth, where Santa will join the boat for the return journey, meet each child and give them a present. Party games and music will be played during the cruise. The Boat Inn, Bridge Road, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester, NN12 7SB. www.boatinn.co.uk
A Victorian Christmas Celebration Saturday 16th December, 12 - 4pm. Meet Father Christmas, listen to carols and visit the magic lantern show. Take part in Christmas crafts and make your own bauble, cracker, cards and decorations. Tempt your taste buds with festive treats. Free. Drop in. Small charge for some activities & refreshments. Abington park Museum, Park Avenue South, Northampton, NN1 5LW. www.northampton.gov.uk/museums
Christmas Train at Wicksteed Park Train runs between 12noon and 3;40pm on December 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th and 18th - 23rd. Take a gentle, festive train ride around the lake. Santa will wave you off from the decorated station after giving you a little sift. Once you're back try and spot Santa's sleigh and place your wish on the wishing tree. Wicksteed Park, Barton Road, Kettering, NN15 6NJ. www.wicksteedpark.org
Santa at Stanwick Lakes 2nd & 3rd, 9th & 10th, 16th & 17th December, 11am - 4pm. Meet Santa & Mrs Claus in their magical grotto and receive a gift. Book your time slot by calling 01933 625522. While you are at Stanwick Lakes wrap up warm & explore the nature reserve, play in the adventure playground & enjoy festive treats in the cafe. Stanwick Lakes, Stanwick, NN9 6GY. www.stanwicklakes.org.uk 
Where to find Santa in Milton Keynes & Buckinghamshire
Christmas Kingdom Friday 1st - Sunday 24th December. Using your Magical Boarding Pass, watch the enchanting festive 3D film, walk through the Elve's Christmas Village, meet REAL Reindeer and make some magical reindeer food. Attend ELF Academy and learn to be a Christmas Elf! Plus, meet Santa in his Grotto and choose a toy from his magical Toy Shop! Mead Open Farm, Stanbridge Road, Bilington, Nr Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9JH. www.meadopenfarm.co.uk
A Victorian Christmas Friday 1st, 8th & 15th, 4:30-7pm. Saturday 2nd, 9th & 16th, 1.30-6pm. Sunday 3rd, 10th & 17th December, 1.30-6pm. Carols by lamplight in the parlour. Enjoy the roaring fire and mulled wine. Kids can have fun making Christmas crafts. Visit Father Christmas and his elves in the grotto. A gift for each child. Milton Keynes Museum, McConnell Drive, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, MK12 5EL. www.miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk
Festive Day Out With Thomas 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th & 17th December. Ride in a steam train with Thomas the Tank Engine, whilst waiting for Father Christmas as he makes his way through the carriages giving each child a present. Also, meet the Fat Controller and enjoy a variety of Thomas themed activities and refreshments, all included. Pre-booking is essential. Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton, Near Aylesbury, HP22 4BY. www.bucksrailcentre.org
centre:MK Grotto 10th-12th November and 18th - 24th December. Santa's Grotto will see Middleton Hall transformed into a magical wonderland, making it the perfect place to meet Santa and his new friend Norbert the Reindeer. In addition, the centre will hold a must see Christmas Parade on 10th November. centre:MK, Middleton Hall, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3EP. www.thecentremk.com
Claydon Christmas Tree Farm & Grotto Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th December, 11am - 2.30pm. Visit Father Christmas in his delightful log cabin. Your child will receive a present from Father Christmas. Enjoy looking at the reindeer and sitting on the original Scandinavian sleigh. No need to book, however, it can get busy so try to arrive early! £5.50 per child. Claydon Christmas Tree Farm, Stone Court Barn, West Street, Steeple Claydon, MK18 2LJ. www.claydonchristmastreefarm.co.uk
Santa at Xscape Saturday 9th - Sunday 24th December, 11am - 5pm. Children can visit Santa and get an early Christmas gift, for FREE! Keep an eye on their website for ticket releases. Limited walk up booking available on a first come first served basis. Xscape, 602 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, MK9 3XS. www.xscapemiltonkeynes.co.uk 
Where to find Santa in Warwickshire
Santa's Grotto Saturday 9th December, 2 - 4pm. Visit Santa in his Alpine Grotto. Enjoy Christmas Crafts in the gallery all serenaded by a brass quintet from Royal Spa Brass. Explore the library Christmas Trail with a prize draw. Free Event. Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade, Leamington Spa, CV32 4AA. www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms
Christmas At The Castle Saturday 9th - Sunday 10th December, 10am - 4pm. Immerse yourself in all things festive at this weekend of Christmas fun. Enjoy crafts and storytelling and for all those who have been good this year, come and meet the very special guest in his grotto. £10.70 adults and £6.40 children. Kenilworth Castle, Castle Green, Kenilworth, CV8 1NG. www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworth
Meet Santa at the National Sea Life Centre Saturday 25th November - Saturday 23rd December. Come to the North pole of the Midlands in Sealife Centre's Antarctic Ice Cave and meet Santa by the cheeky Gentoo Penguins in the exclusive setting of the breath-taking, chilly Ice Adventure area. From £12.75 per person online, included with entry. National Sea Life Centre, Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2HL. www.sealife.co.uk/birmingham
Christmas at Coughton Saturday 25th November - Sunday 3rd December, 10am - 3.15pm. The house is decorated in a traditional style with Christmas tress and decorations. The Oak Room is transformed into Father Christmas' office and at weekends children can visit him for a small charge. Coughton Court, National Trust, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5JA. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coughton-court
Visit Santa! Friday 24th November - Saturday 23rd December, 10am - 4.00pm. Journey to Lapland in this magical moving ride, pulled by two trust reindeer. Meet Santa, tell him your Christmas wishes and receive a special gift. This enchanting vintage sleigh ride has delighted families for generations - come along and make it part of your Christmas traditions. £5 per child. Coventry Transport Museum, Millennium Place, Hales Street, Coventry, CV1 1JD. www.transport-museum.com
Christmas at Charlecote Saturday 2nd & every weekend in December up to Christmas. Visit Charlecote Park and see it dressed for a Victorian Christmas. On weekends, enjoy hot mulled wine and Christmas music or visit Father Christmas in the Summerhouse with your wishlist. £5 per child. General Admission charges apply. Charlecote National Trust, Warwick, CV35 9ER. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote-park 
Where to find Santa in Oxfordshire
Christmas Fairytale Saturday 2nd to Sunday 17th December and daily Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24th December. At this magical 'Christmas Fairytale' event, children can meet Santa in his indoor fairytale grotto and receive a present. Join in with various Christmas activities and see the enchanting Christmas Lights. Fairytale Farm, Oxford Road (A44), Southcombe, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5QH. www.fairytalefarm.co.uk
Christmas in Banbury Saturday 2nd - Saturday 23rd December, weekends & all Christmas week, 10am - 4pm. Come and enter a very special winter wonderland grotto and meet Father Christmas. Each child will receive a lovely gift, a personalised Christmas activity pack to take home and a very special Santa museum trail. £8.50 per child. Booking essential. Banbury Museum, Castle Quay Shopping Centre, Spiceball Park Road, Banbury, OX16 2PQ. www.banburymuseum.org
Day Out With Thomas to meet Father Christmas Every Saturday & Sunday during December, plus Friday 22nd December. Families get to ride behind Thomas, which takes them to the grotto carriage where they will meet Father Christmas. Each child receives a gift. Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NJ. www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
Santa's Grotto and Christmas Market Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th November, 11am - 4pm. Count down to the festive season at this Christmas Market with local foods, crafts & gift stalls. Visit Santa in his Grotto to ask for that special Christmas present. Pre-booking for Santa's Grotto is essential. General admission charges apply. Sulgrave Manor, Manor Road, Sulgrave, Nr. Banbury, OX17 2SD. www.sulgravemanor.org.uk
Some events must be pre-booked and event details are correct at time of the printing of our magazine but may change, please check before attending.