Santa's Grotto
Meet Santa in his wetland wonderland grotto and receive a very special gift.
Make this Christmas one to remember at WWT Slimbridge, where Santa is waiting to welcome you and your little explorers to his festive wetland grotto.
Enjoy a magical family day out surrounded by seasonal wildlife and wonder in Gloucestershire.
Dates: Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 December, Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 December, Saturday 19, Sunday 20, Monday 21, Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23 December
Times: Slots run every half an hour from 9:45am to 2:15pm, with limited availability for each session. Book early to secure your preferred time.
Tickets: £15 per child — not included with admission or membership.
Ages: This wonder-filled experience is best suited to children aged 3 to 11.
Santa and his elves are stopping by their favourite wetland this December, and they're bringing a very special gift with them. Step inside Santa's twinkly grotto and receive a beautiful stuffed toy of Lottie the otter, straight from our enchanting Christmas story and trail. With limited dates and tickets available, book now and start counting down to a truly magical family day out.
Limited tickets may be available on the day, but this isn't guaranteed so we recommend booking in advance! Don't miss your chance to meet Santa — secure your slot up to midnight the day before your visit.
FAQs
Is a visit to Santa included with the cost of admission?
No, this is an add-on experience. Likewise, if you are not a member you must still purchase admission to enter the site. Book admission online in advance to save 10%!
Do I need to book tickets to see Santa if my child is a WWT member?
Yes, this experience is not included with membership.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
If there are any remaining tickets on the day, they will be made available to purchase from Admissions on arrival. A visit to Santa is always very popular, so we recommend purchasing tickets in advance to guarantee your slot.
Is there an age limit?
There is no set age limit on tickets to see Santa, but we recommend the experience is best suited to children aged 3 to 11.
Do I need tickets to see Santa in order to enjoy the Wetland Wonderland experience?
No, many of our Wetland Wonderland experiences including the trail, storytime and crafts are included with admission or membership.
What else can we do as part of Wetland Wonderland?
Wetland Wonderland is an exciting new Christmas tradition for 2026. Enjoy storytime with Waterlily, help the Slimbridge swans save Christmas by following the trail with your Little Book of Joy, and make a star tree topper in Cuddle the Elf's workshop. Warm up afterwards at the festive indoor artisan marketplace, where local choirs will be performing daily. There will also be delicious festive treats available from the Kingfisher Kitchen.
Are you ready to walk in a Wetland Wonderland?
There's a whole range of exciting activities taking place at Slimbridge Wetland Centre over the festive period, with something magical for all the family.
