Hever Castle's Traitional Christmas Tales and Santa's Grotto

'Mummy, I've got a funny feeling in my tummy, I think we might have just found the real Santa'.

Quite a bold statement from my increasingly cynical seven-year-old.
Especially as, in the run-up to Christmas, the pint-sized super sleuth spends inordinate amounts of time discussing whether the Father Christmas we meet in a grotto, or at the lights-switch on, or who calls into school, or the Christmas fair is indeed the real deal or one of Santa's helpers sent as a stand-in because the big man can't possibly be in so many places at once.

Could it really be?
Could it really be?

Everything from his coat to conversation is pulled apart by my junior detective weighing up Santa's potential North Pole credentials.

But rest assured if you're heading for Hever Castle this month, there is no doubt that working between his grotto and toy workshop, amongst the snow and wintery looking trees is most definitely - without question - the real Father Christmas.

You heard it hear first.

'Mummy I think we spotted the real Santa'
'Mummy I think we spotted the real Santa'

But a Father Christmas who can reel off which David Walliams books he's able to deliver to children in Germany or are currently available in Spanish, or a team of elves who know your name before you even arrive and who can discuss whether more children ask for Kane or Dele on the back of their requested Tottenham shirt, is not the only magic you'll find at the historic attraction.

Spot the sleeping elf!
Spot the sleeping elf!

Alongside beautifully decorated Castle rooms, welcoming log fires, and twinkling Christmas trees in every room is a magical wonderland in the grounds which is sure to add some festive sparkle to your festive preparations.

There is a carousel and some other traditional vintage fairground stalls in front of the castle, and come dusk the grounds are illuminated with enchanting light displays.

And if Santa can embark on some time-travel magic at Christmas to make it to the house of every little boy and girl, then so can we - and it's London's Dickensian streets where we find ourselves following a festive trail themed around the Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol.

There are story-themed displays, houses to peer in and characters from the story to meet who will take us through the plight of Ebenezer Scrooge as he comes face to face with his past, present and future.

And even if Scrooge is struggling to find his Christmas spirit, after some time spent at Hever Castle, we're most definitely not.

Take a wintery trail through Dickensian London
Take a wintery trail through Dickensian London
Hever Castle at Christmas (5883760)
Hever Castle at Christmas (5883760)
Hever Castle is a festive wonderland indoors too
Hever Castle is a festive wonderland indoors too

* Children who have not booked to visit Father Christmas in his Grotto may get the chance to meet him in the Toy Workshop.

Appointments to visit him are available on a first come first served basis to visitors and youngsters will receive an age-appropriate gift. Tickets to the Toy Workshop can only be bought in the grounds on the day, at the Information Centre or Courtyard Shop.

For further details about Christmas at Hever Castle, admission prices and ticket bookings please click here.

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