Where to see Father Christmas in North Cornwall
Published:If you are looking for somewhere to see Santa in North Cornwall in 2021, we have rounded up some of the great experiences on offer this year.
There are opportunities to meet Father Christmas all over the area - with autism friendly Santa experiences and Santa train trips in Bodmin, breakfast with Father Christmas in Launceston, and santa fun run and Alpaca experience with Father Christmas in Liskeard!
Unfortunately some of the garden centres which usually host Father Christmas are still not able to welcome him back yet due to concerns about coronavirus, but there are still lots of other places you can see the man in the red suit this year.
We have got some suggestions for places to meet santa in person and get a gift, and also just to see him at a distance if your little one doesn't fancy getting too close to him.
Bude
Santa will be making an appearance on his sleigh for the Bude Late Night Shopping event.
Santa's Grotto and Procession
When: Friday 10th December - 5.30pm
Where: Bude - starting in Crescent car park, heading to Chadd's Yard, Queen Street.
What: The Rotary Club of Bude, in association with Bude shopkeepers would like to welcome you to Santa's Grotto and Procession and a late night shopping evening.
How much: Free
Bodmin
There are a couple of options to see Father Christmas near Bodmin this year, and both of them involve meeting Santa and receiving a gift.
Autism-friendly Santa Grotto in Bodmin
When: 11th and 18th December
Where: 1st Castle Canyke Scouts Hut
What: Fully inclusive, this Santa grotto is filled to the brim with love. The day will involve meeting Santa, special gifts and unlimited crafts what more could you want!
Described as "a calm environment with no queues, no rushing around and most of all no pressure for the children or their parent/carer in any way shape or form. The grotto is centred around children with additional needs but all are welcome we just ask that everyone is mindful of that fact."
Tickets must be booked in advance.
How much: £2.50 per child
Bodmin & Wenford Railway
When: Santa Specials will be running on 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, and 17th-24th December.
Where: Bodmin General Station, Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 1AQ
What: Be greeted by Santa’s elves, before boarding the steam train to Bodmin Parkway. Whilst aboard, children will have the chance to write their list to Santa before returning back to Bodmin General.
At the main station children will have the opportunity to do some Christmas themed activities before they go and visit Santa in his unique Victorian coach. Each child will receive an age-appropriate gift and the opportunity to have their photo taken with Santa.
How much: Adult from £15, Child 2 and under from £10.95, Child 3-16 from £18.95. Family tickets available.
Callington
When: Saturday 4th December 10am - 2pm
Where: Callington Town Hall
What: Visit Santa in his grotto during the Callington Christmas Craft Fair. Every child receives a gift.
How Much: £3.50 per child
Camelford
Camel Creek
When:
- 27th Nov – Open 10am – 17:00
- 28th Nov – Open 10am – 17:00
- 4th Dec – Open 10am – 19:30
- 5th Dec – Open 10am – 19:30
- 10th Dec – Open 15:30 – 19:30
- 11th Dec – Open 10am – 19:30
- 12th Dec – Open 10am – 19:30
- 17th Dec – Open 15:30 – 19:30
- 18th Dec – Open 10am – 19:30
- 19th Dec – Open 10am – 19:30
- 20th Dec – Open 10am – 19:30
- 21st Dec – Open 10am – 19:30
- 22nd Dec – Open 10am – 19:30
- 23rd Dec – Open 10am – 19:30
Where: Camel Creek, Tredinnick, Wadebridge Cornwall PL27 7RA
What: Santa’s Grotto – Free gift for every child, Christmas Tree Forest, Christmas light tunnel, Elf workshop – Free arts & crafts, Christmas family photo opportunities
How much: £15.95 per child & £8 per member child
Launceston
Town Christmas Lights Switch On
When: Friday 3rd December
Where: Launceston Town Centre
What: Shops will be open late and there will be a Victorian theme as Christmas market stalls, fairground rides, and entertainment will be in the Town Square from 5.30pm. Lantern Parade led by Father Christmas in his sleigh starts at 6pm from the Methodist Church, then Market St, Southgate Arch, Madford Lane, Westgate St, Town Square and ending at Broad St. Father Christmas will then be in the Town Square.
How Much: Free
Father Christmas' Tour of the Town
When: 23rd December from 5pm
Where: Launceston Town Centre
What: Look out for Father Christmas on his sleigh as he tours through the town!
How Much: Free
Trethorne Golf Course
When: Sundays 28th November, 5th December, 12th December and 19th December. 12 noon - 5pm
Where: Trethorne Golf Club, Kennards House, Launceston, PL15 8QE
What: Enjoy a visit to see santa with the option to also include a carvery meal.
How Much: £5 to visit santa. £7.95 to visit santa and enjoy a carvery
Tre Pol Pen
There are a couple of different options to meet Father Christmas at Tre Pol Pen - Breakfast with Santa or High Tea with Santa. Enjoy a relaxed family meal while Santa comes round to visit you at your table.
When: 5th, 11th, 18th,22nd and 23rd December.
Where: Tre Pol Pen, Launceston
What: Bring the family to Tre, Pol & Pen for a very special mealwith the main man himself! Spend family time together enjoying your Tre, Pol & Pen breakfast or high tea. Families will also have the opportunity to pose for a photo with Santa in his sleigh. Each child under 12 years will receive a gift from Santa.
How Much: Breakfast costs £10.95 per child (under 12 years) and £12.95 per adult. High Tea costs £14.95 per person
Magical Winter Experience
When: 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th December
Where: Market House Arcade, Market Street, Launceston
What: - rought to you by Once in a Blue Balloon, Queen of Bombs and Maddielili Photography! Come and meet Santa, have fun creating balloon characters and then collect your gift from Santa's workshop. More information here.
How Much: £10 per child - £7.50 for additional siblings.
Liskeard
The Siblyback Santa Scamper
If you fancy watching a whole host of Santas taking part in a fun run, you can head to Siblyback Lake near Liskeard on Saturday 18th December!
The more energetic among you might even want to take part - the minimum age for competitors is 5 years old, and there are a variety of route lengths to suit different running abilities.
More information on the Santa Scamper can be found here.
Santa's Grotto at Moor View Alpacas.
For something a bit different why not meet Santa on the farm and enjoy meeting some alpacas! Santa will give you a stocking to fill from a Christmas gift selection.
There are also crafts if you wish to and sit and make something in the cafe.
When: 11th, 12th, 18th - 24th December
Where: Moor View Alpacas, Liskeard
What: Meet Santa and his Alpacas! Christmas gift. You can join in with making some Christmas crafts if you'd like to.
How Much: £15 per child. Adults go Free.
Book your tickets to meet Santa here.
Liskeard Lions Santa Sleigh Tour
Santa will be touring the streets of Liskeard on Wednesday 15th December.
When: 15th December at 6pm - 7.30pm
Where: Liskeard Town Centre
What: Santa will be touring the town on his sleigh helped by Lions Club of Liskeard.
Looe
Looe Lions Santa Sleigh - Santa will be back out on his sleigh and travelling round the streets of Looe! Have a look at the Looe Lions Facebook page for more information about his route and the days he will be out.
Wadebridge
Enchanted Christmas Market
When: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th December
Where: Royal Cornwall Showground
What: An audience with Santa takes place on a small stage frequently at the Enchanted Christmas Markets and the 15 min event allows for photos with him afterwards and the option to have a gift.
How Much: Gift tokens are just £2 to buy in advance with your entry ticket to swap for a small gift at the end of each performance.
Multiple Locations
Go Cornwall Santa Bus
This year, the santa bus will be touring West Cornwall from 1st - 10th December and East Cornwall from the 19th - 22nd December.
Have a look at the full timetable here.
Nearby
The following experiences are not within our geographical area, but are all within and hour's drive.
Eden Project
Plym Valley Railway
Exeter Winter Wonderland