Santa's Grotto - Daytime at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Father Christmas returns to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens for daytime visits in December, in a cosy woodland cabin tucked away in the gardens.

What to expect:

• Nine daytime dates: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December 2026
• “Meet Father Christmas and enjoy a special festive moment together.” Every child receives a gift from Santa
• “All children will need a ticket to see Father Christmas, adults are free to see Father Christmas on a daytime visit.”
• Tickets are sold by the number of children in the party - one, two or three - and booked for a timeslot in advance
• The cabin is tucked away in the gardens, so getting to it is a walk outdoors
• For an evening visit, the separate Santa's Grotto & Illuminate ticket adds the lit trail
• The operator warns that “the gardens will close if high winds”, in which case tickets are refunded and you rebook