Back to News

Santa Safari at Hawkstone Park (12th September 2011)

Santa Claus is getting ready to meet children with their Christmas wish lists in a popular magical adventure at a leading Shropshire tourist attraction.

Hawkstone Park’s Santa Safari attracted around 6,000 youngsters and adults last year.

The fun gets underway by walking in illuminated woods to check-in at the Santa Desk before hopping aboard a Land Rover to see Santa in his hillside grotto at the venue in Weston-under-Redcastle, Shrewsbury.

Visitors are whisked through the Grand Valley, past Swiss Cottage and Santa’s Workshop and under the Wishing Arch and a spectacular network of caves to meet Father Christmas in his grotto.

Children will receive a present and have the chance to hand over their Christmas present list before meeting his reindeer and being entertained by his elves before enjoying a steaming cup of fruit punch on Grotto Hill.

Annabel Burgess-Durston, sales and events co-ordinator at Hawkstone Park, said this was the Santa Safari’s 15th anniversary.

“This is one of the highlights of our events calendar because children and their parents absolutely love it,” she said.

“We have many families who started coming years ago when their children were little and are still returning even though their children are now adults!

“The walk and ride through the woodland really get you in the mood before you reach Santa’s Grotto. We always recommend everyone wears flat shoes and wraps up warm as well as brings along a camera to capture the moment they meet Father Christmas.

“It really is a wonderful way to start the countdown to Christmas and children love to be able to meet the big man himself and hand over the wish lists they have carefully written.”

This year, brides and grooms who are married in December at Hawkstone Park will also have the opportunity to go on the Santa Safari.

“We still have a few dates available for winter weddings this December and as an added treat we thought it would be great to take the happy couple to meet Santa on their wedding day which is subject to him working that day since, as we all know, December is his busiest month of the year,” Annabel added.

Santa Safari returns on Saturday, December 3 and for a full list of dates and prices log on to www.hawkstone.co.uk, email info@hawkstone.co.uk or contact Santa’s helpers on 01948 841700 because booking is essential.

Back to News