Hatton's Father Christmas runs weekends from 28 November and daily 19 to 24 December, children from £31. Warwick Castle's Stories with Santa is from £29.
Two places near Leamington have published their 2026 Father Christmas visits with dates and prices: Hatton Adventure World, on the edge of Warwick, and Warwick Castle. Both must be booked in advance. Warwick’s free Victorian Evening also brings Santa into Market Place on 26 November.
The quick answer
- Hatton’s Enchanted Christmas Kingdom runs every weekend from Saturday 28 November, then daily 19 to 24 December 2026. Children over 80cm pay from £31, adults from £21, and every child gets a toy or a Create-a-Bear.
- Warwick Castle’s Stories with Santa is from £29 including castle entry, in the Great Hall, pre-book online only, during Christmas at the Castle from 21 November to 3 January.
- Free: Santa at the Warwick Victorian Evening, Thursday 26 November, 3pm to 9pm in Market Place.
- Kenilworth Castle: Father Christmas on weekends 5 to 20 December, £12 a child (£9.50 for English Heritage members), plus castle entry for non-members. Our Kenilworth Castle Christmas page has the session times.
Updated 5 October: English Heritage has published Kenilworth Castle’s Father Christmas dates and prices.
Hatton Adventure World: the Enchanted Christmas Kingdom
Hatton Adventure World at Dark Lane, Hatton, CV35 8XA, runs a day-long Christmas trail that ends with Father Christmas. Along the way children sort post, mix reindeer food and go to an “Elf Academy”, with a gingerbread show and a magic show. The park’s usual farmyard, slides and funfair are included.
The visit to Father Christmas is a group visit, not one to one. Hatton says each family gets the chance for a photo with him, and he gives each child a key to choose either a toy from his Secret Toy Shop or a Create-a-Bear. You can take your own photos; a professional photographer also sells them.
Prices go up as Christmas gets closer. These are from Hatton’s dates and prices page:
| Dates | Child over 80cm | Adult | Under 80cm | Member child | Member adult |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 and 29 November | £31 | £21 | £15 | £23 | £17 |
| 5 and 6 December | £32 | £22 | £15 | £24 | £18 |
| 12 and 13 December | £38 | £24 | £16 | £27 | £19 |
| 19 and 20 December | £42 | £27 | £17 | £32 | £21 |
| 21 and 22 December | £43 | £29 | £18 | £34 | £23 |
| 23 December | £45 | £29 | £18 | £34 | £23 |
| 24 December | £44 | £28 | £18 | £34 | £23 |
A family of two adults and two older children pays £104 on the opening weekend and £148 on 23 December, before any extras.
The same page also shows a second, lower list of prices against the same dates, for example £24 a child on 28 and 29 November. The “from” prices on Hatton Adventure World’s own event page, £31 a child and £21 an adult, match the table above, so budget on those and check the price at checkout.
The rules that catch families out, from Hatton’s FAQs:
- Everyone needs a ticket, including adults, babies under 12 months and annual members
- Your booked time is your Father Christmas time, not your arrival time. Arrive at the North Pole Sorting Office 30 to 45 minutes before it, and be at the Elf Academy 10 to 15 minutes before
- You must book ahead; there is no paying on the day
- Disabled guests are entitled to a free carer, and Hatton may ask for proof such as PIP, a Blue Badge or an Access Card
- On December weekends non-members cannot visit the park without a Christmas ticket
Warwick Castle: Stories with Santa
Warwick Castle runs Stories with Santa, with Santa and Mrs Claus, as part of Christmas at the Castle from Saturday 21 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. It costs from £29 per person including castle entry, is held in the Great Hall and can only be booked online in advance, not bought on the day.
The castle also sells Santa Sleepovers from £70 per person. Sessions run on selected dates only, and the castle does not publish a calendar; you see which dates are left by going into the booking flow. Our Warwick Castle Christmas page covers the light trail, the ice rink and the arrival times.
Free: Santa at the Warwick Victorian Evening
The Warwick Victorian Evening on Thursday 26 November, 3pm to 9pm in Market Place, is free, and CJ’s Events says Santa visits as the highlight of the evening, alongside a carousel, traction engines and fire spinners. See our Victorian Evening page.
Last year’s free grottos
On Small Business Saturday 2025, Warwick District Council said Santa, the Grinch and the naughty Elf set up grottos in Warwick’s Market Square, and Kenilworth’s festive market at Abbey End offered a photo with Santa and his Elf in a grotto. Small Business Saturday 2026 is on 5 December, according to BID Leamington, but this year’s grottos have not been announced.
Not yet announced
- Small Business Saturday grottos in Warwick and Kenilworth.
- Warwick Castle’s session dates, which only show in its booking system.
We will add these as they are published.
Kenilworth Castle: Father Christmas
English Heritage’s Father Christmas at Kenilworth Castle runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 5 to 20 December 2026, with sessions at 10.20am, 11am, 11.40am, 12.20pm, 1.40pm, 2.20pm and 3pm. Father Christmas tells stories to the group, then meets each family, and every child gets a traditional present. Tickets are £12 per child, or £9.50 for members, booked in advance, and non-members also pay castle admission. Places are limited to one adult per child. The Stoneleigh Winter Fair on 28 and 29 November also has Santa’s sleigh, with £7 entry.
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