Leeds recommends: Best places to see Santa

Christmas is coming - so we asked families in Leeds to suggest the best Santa's grottos in the city and beyond for children wanting to meet Father Christmas.
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Paul Reucroft, The one at Tong Garden Centre last year. The best Santa ever!

Ch Boj. I wonder if there are any Father Christmases who can do sign language in Leeds or outside? Many deaf children like to see Father Christmas with British sign language.

Suzan Musson. Stockeld Park.

Tez Thackrah. Wentworth Castle near Barnsley.

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Tracy Preston. Cannon Hall 
Farm near Barnsley. Never seen as many shocked faces with excitement.

Mary Fletcher. The old Lewis’s. I have got photos of my sons when they were young with Santa in Leeds - magical times.

Beverly Golesworthy. None of them will ever top the old Lewis’s when I was growing up.

Tricia Baglin. It was the BEST. Lewis’s.

Jessica Shackstead. There is an excellent grotto at Stockeld Park. It’s really inclusive - I know they run special events for autistic children - but for all kids it’s a magical experience that’s really worth the money. They make a real effort for it all to be authentic.

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Jim Wrekin. I find that often, local school and church fairs have grottos that are just as good as overpriced tourist attractions. They’re cosier and less corporate, and there is les pressure and smaller queues.

Anna Tew. Lotherton Hall has a fantastic Christmas experience for families. It’s a beautiful setting and they have an elves’ village as well as a grotto with a brilliant Santa. It’s scattered all around the grounds so you can walk around exploring.

Samantha Kelleher. Temple Newsam always has an authentic and classy grotto and a good Santa. Their other activities are good too - carol singing, Victorian crafts and decorations etc. Great experience and educational as well.

Ryan Barr. I think Abbey House Museum, in Kirkstall, is very reasonably priced. It’s a nice setting to meet Santa in and the grotto is very nicely decorated. Worth a look.

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Alan Mawer. The garden centre at Garforth has just re-opened and is doing a very good grotto this year. They have reindeer too.

Michaela Sheard. You can’t bear the Santa experience at Tropical World in Roundhay Park. 
It’s such an unusual setting but it actually works really well.

Tim Swinton. It gets booked up super early, but RHS Harlow Carr’s grotto is wonderful and worth making an effort to go to. It’s a cut above.

Stacey McLair. Stockeld Park - the staff are wonderfully patient and they really go the extra mile. It’s a magical wonderland for kids.

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Fiona Jackson. The heritage railway at Keighley. Santa and steam are a great combination! It’s a wonderful day out with a difference, my children love it.

Jane Symons. Yes Temple Newsam - great at any time of year, but their heritage Christmas themes are great for all ages, and my grandkids loved meeting Santa there. Very traditional.

Dominic Agdal. I much prefer small grottos to expensive corporate ones, which can be a real money-spinner.

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