There’s magic in the air as the nights grow longer, and Christmas excitement grows.
We’re privileged once more to welcome dear old Santa Claus, and make sure all is snug and merry in his cosy farmyard cottage. Outside, the fields and woods are illuminated by thousands of tiny lights, and (on some nights), we remain open late so all can enjoy this festive wonder. Find out the many different ways to experience a magical Christmas at Almond Valley,
After-Dark at Almond Valley
Extended opening hours on the 8th, 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd & 23rd December
On these special days, Almond Valley stays opens 'till the stars come out and the moon begins to shine. Once darkness falls, a trail of tiny lights will guide you across the bridge to the Christmas lights of Charlesfield. Our sheltered play spaces will be beautifully illuminated, and our orchard barn will be alive with the sights and smells of Christmas. All this is included in the price of your standard admission ticket. You can arrive at any time of the day to explore, play, and meet the animals and then stay on a little later to enjoy the lights and special atmosphere. Our tearoom will be serving a special supper menu to keep you warm and refuelled.
We open as usual at 10am, the last admission is at 18.30, and the site closes at 19.00, although the farm areas are closed off at 17.00 as the animals need their beauty sleep. Entry is by standard admission ticket (or pass). For peace of mind, standard admission tickets can be purchased on line in advance of your visit.
If you plan to visit Santa during the course of your visit, these Santa tickets must be booked in advance, and in addition to your admission ticket.
Meet Santa in his Cosy Cottage
8th, 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd & 24th December
Throughout these days, from 10 o'clock until 7pm (5pm on the 21st & 24th), Santa Claus will be waiting in his cosy Christmas cottage, ready to welcome young visitors, give them all an early Christmas gift, and share a hearty ho-ho-ho.
All of the details:
- A visit to Santa is an optional extra to your day out at Almond Valley. Tickets for your Santa visit are only available if you've also purchased site admission tickets or have an annual pass. This, of course, allows you to enjoy all of the Almond Valley site
- It is ESSENTIAL that your meeting with Santa is booked on-line in advance. No Santa tickets will be available on the door.
- Santa visits take place in his cosy Christmas cottage, set up in the warmth of the tearoom. It a traditional grotto-style experience in which a youngster, or group of siblings, have a chat with Santa about all things Christmasy, and recieve an attractive wrapped Christmas present. The experience lasts a couple of minutes for each child
- Tickets for a meeting with Santa cost £10 per child and includes a quality age-appropriate present (we'll ask for the names and ages of all children on your arrival). Every child visiting Santa's cottage must have a ticket. Parents, of course, accompany youngsters on their Santa visit, and can take photos.
ASN-friendly Santa
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December
A relaxed and distraction-free meeting with Santa in his cottage, especially designed for those with autism who don't care for the usual razzle-dazzle of Christmas. All will be peaceful and straightforward.
Tickets to visit Santa, and receive a sensible Christmas present, must be booked in advance and cost £10 per child.
Santa visits are an extra to your visit to Almond Valley, where you can meet the animals and explore the fun to be had both indoors and out. Standard admission charges to Almond Valley apply, and the site closes as usual at 5pm.
Santa for Tots and Toddlers
Monday 11th to Thursday 14th, Monday 18th to Wednesday 20th December
A special mid-week offer; ideal for toddlers, nursery-goers, or anyone else who doesn't need to be in school.
Visit Santa in his magical farmyard cottage, have a good chat, and receive an early Christmas present. Tickets must be booked in advance and cost £10 per child (or £8 if included in a valid annual pass). As a special bargain, these tickets also provide FREE ADMISSION to the whole of the Almond Valley site where you can meet the animals, and play all day (we open as usual from 10am to 5pm). Admission for accompanying adults (max 2 per child) is charged at a bargain price of £5, payable on the door.
Mid Week Parties with Santa
Monday to Thursday 4th - 21st December
Special Christmas celebrations for nurseries, playgroups and any other group of children with an appetite to party.
Our Party Room is at your disposal for two hours, where you can eat, drink and do the hokey-cokey. A tasty party food box with cold food is laid out for each child on a table set up for Christmas fun. All the wee ones can enjoy a soft play session, a tractor ride and as your party draws to the end, dear old Santa arrives to spread good cheer and hand out some early Christmas presents.
Parties cater for a minimum of twelve children and begin at either 10.30am or 2.00 pm. The charge is £12 for each child and £5 for each adult which includes admission to Almond Valley. We can supply Santa's presents at £8 each.
These parties is only available from Monday to Thursday. Please see below for parties from Friday to Sunday.
To check availability, and make your booking, visit Mid Week Santa Parties
Weekend Parties with Santa
Friday to Sunday 1st - 24th December
Special Christmas celebrations for nurseries, playgroups and any other group of children with an appetite to party.
Our Party Room is at your disposal for two hours, where you can eat, drink and do the hokey-cokey. A tasty party food box with hot and cold food is laid out for each child on a table set up for Christmas fun. All the wee ones can enjoy a soft play session, a tractor ride and as your party draws to the end, dear old Santa arrives to spread good cheer and hand out some early Christmas presents.
Parties begin at either 10.30am or 2.00 pm. The charge is £180 for 12 children and 6 adults which includes admission to Almond Valley. We can supply Santa's presents at £8 each.
To check availability, and make your booking, visit Santa Parties
Reindeer Experience
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th December; 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th December; 15th, 16th, 17th December; 18th to 24th December at 15:00
Our Reindeer Experiences provide the perfect opportunity for families and friends to start feeling festive this Christmas! Our animal keepers will let you get up close and personal with our two beautiful reindeer, Eve and Ivy. As part of the package, guests can stroke, scratch and smother our reindeers with affection - all under the careful supervision of our highly trained staff. To make things extra-special, the keepers will also provide you with some of the reindeers favourite snacks which can be fed to them throughout the experience. Whilst groups take in the wonder of our awesome antlered animals, your guide will continue teaching you about each reindeers unique personality, as well as about the care we give them here at Almond Valley, and how wild reindeer are adept at surviving the cold arctic winters! It’s also a fantastic chance to ask any questions you might have about the reindeer (or any other animals we look after on the farm) - it’s your very on Q&A session! Before you finish, staff will take pictures of the group with our reindeer which can then be sent out electronically; perfect for personalised cards, keyrings, mugs etc. After the experience, each child in the group will receive a gift box filled with exciting Christmas goodies; the perfect way for youngsters to remember the extra special visit to Almond Valley!
- The session lasts for about 15 minutes and costs £50 for up to a maximum of four people, at least one of whom must be an adult.
- The experience is an optional extra to your day out at Almond Valley and standard admission tickets must also be purchased unless every member of your group is included on an annual family pass.
- Please note that the welfare of the reindeer is paramount, and we will discontinue the encounter should they become anxious - so always listen to our keepers and behave in a calm and sensible manner.
To check availability, and make your booking, visit Reindeer Experience
