Step into the magic of Christmas as you meet Santa and train to become an elf at Hartlebury Castle!

Santa’s Grotto

Experience an exclusive family visit to see Santa in his festive grotto. Watch the children’s faces light up as they meet the man himself, share what they’re hoping to find under the Christmas tree, and receive their own gift from Santa.

Capture as many festive photographs as you wish and create memories to treasure for many Christmases to come.

Please note: our previous Santa is not available. However, we have a wonderful new Santa this year!

Welcome to Elf Academy

What’s more, find out if you’ve got what it takes to become Santa’s latest helper, with challenges including:

• Make a wooden toy in the workshop to take home
• Learn a special elf dance
• Decorate a Christmas biscuit
• Wrap a gift like an elf!

Don’t forget to play Pin the Nose on Rudolph, write a letter to Santa, listen to a festive story, and take a photo in his sleigh – perhaps with your certificate for graduating the Elf Academy!

You can also follow the festive trail in the beautifully decorated Castle (look out for our 18-foot Christmas tree!) and take a winter stroll around the moat to the adventure playground. Christmas outfits are welcome!

As you head home, why not buy a beautiful festive wreath, handmade by our volunteer gardeners?

Times

Saturday 12th and Saturday 19th December: 

Santa’s Grotto meetings: 10am-4.50pm (10 minutes per session).

Elf Academy activities: 11am-4pm.

Sunday 13th and Sunday 20th December:

Santa’s Grotto meetings: 10am-2.40pm (10 minutes per session).

Elf Academy activities: 11am-3pm.

Tickets including Santa’s Grotto (online booking required)

Please note: our previous Santa is not available. However, we have a wonderful new Santa this year!

A 10-minute exclusive experience for your family, including a gift for each child. Must be pre-booked due to limited time slots.

Child (0-16 years): £18.50 each (maximum 6 per group)
Adult: £12 each (minimum 1 per group)
Child (Guardian/Worcestershire Resident Passholder, 0-16 years): £10 each (maximum 6 per group)
Adult (Guardian/Worcestershire Resident Passholder): £6 each

If you’d like to upgrade your ticket to include Party with Santa at 3.30pm on the same day (Sunday 13th and 20th December only), you can do this during the booking process. Child tickets are an additional £12.50 and Child Guardian/Worcestershire Resident Passholder tickets are an additional £8.

Welcome to Elf Academy Tickets NOT including Santa’s Grotto (online booking advised)

Enjoy the Elf Academy, the trail and the Castle dressed for Christmas without meeting Santa.

Child (18 months-16 years): £10 each
Adult: £12 each
Child (Guardian/Worcestershire Resident Passholder, 18 months-16 years): £8 each
Adult (Guardian/Worcestershire Resident Passholder): £6 each
Under 18 months: Free (does not include trail or Elf Academy activities)

£1.50 booking fee per transaction.

All tickets (unless specified) include the Christmas trail, the Elf Academy activities, and admission to the Bishop’s Palace, Worcestershire County Museum and Grounds from 11am. The Bishop’s Palace will close at 3pm on Sunday 13th and 20th December to prepare for Party with Santa at 3.30pm. The Grounds close at 4pm and the Museum closes at 5pm on every day of this event.

We allow free entry for one Carer per full paying ticketholder. Please click here to see the documentation you need to bring on the day.

Annual tickets cannot be used for entry to this event. Historic Houses Member passes are not valid. Grounds only tickets will not be available.