Frequently Asked Questions for our 2024 Grotto

At Ruxley, we want to help make your Father Christmas visit as simple as possible, so our FAQs are here to help!

Tickets go on sale on 4th September 2024 at 10am

Tickets are available to purchase on our website www.ruxley-manor.co.uk.

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Ticket price:

Up to 3 guests – £39.00
Up to 4 guests – £52.00
Up to 5 guests – £65.00
Up to 6 guests – £75.00
Up to 7 guests – £85.00
Up to 8 guests – £95.00

  • 1) Every group booking must contain one adult.
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  • 2) Please note that each booking made will be a group booking and your group will go in to see Father Christmas together.
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  • 3) You can only make one group booking at a time. If you wish to book two group tickets you will need to purchase them one at a time.
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  • 4) If you’re booking with friends and you would like to see Father Christmas separately, please make two separate group bookings

If you are booking with babies, they only need to be included in your total booking number/group size if you want them to receive a present.

The forest and Mother Christmas’ kitchen are shared experiences with other group bookings, however, when visiting Father Christmas there will only be one group booking in with him at one time. The toy workshop is also a shared experience.

They will be emailed to the email used to book your tickets.

We can accept tickets on a phone or printed.

No, tickets must be purchased in advance online.

No, you must let us know prior to arrival to see if we can accommodate an extra person. Please email events@ruxley-manor.co.uk

There are over 450 car parking spaces in our customer car parks, but we will be very busy at this time of year, so advise that you arrive at the garden centre at least 15 mins before your session then make your way to the grotto entrance at least 5 mins before your session.

The entrance is located directly opposite The Food Hall exit.

There are no lockers at the Grotto therefore we suggest you only bring items with you that you are happy to carry. We do have a buggy park, where you can leave any prams, unfortunately we do not allow prams inside the Grotto. Ruxley Manor accepts no responsibility for personal belongings.

The Grotto experience is up to 20 minutes long. Please arrive arrive at the garden centre at least 15 mins before your session then make your way to the grotto entrance at least 5 mins before your session, especially during busy periods when the traffic and car park can be extremely busy.

If you are late for your allocated time, unfortunately we cannot offer a refund or allow you into the grotto. We like to think of the grotto as a live interactive show experience. Once the show has started, we cannot re-start it or stop it for other customers.

Grotto Format – please see details on this page.

SEN Grotto Format – please see details on this page.

Please note all Grotto sessions are group sessions. However, when meeting Father Christmas there will only be one group in with him at one time. Session breakdown below:
Arrival: 5-10 mins before your ticket start time
Time inside the Grotto: circa 20 mins

Ruxley Manor will provide a selection of age-appropriate gifts for all children and babies to choose from in the toy workshop room. The Grotto gift chosen is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged (for cash or otherwise). Adults will receive one family gift per family ticket booked.

If your Grotto gift is broken or damaged, please let us know within 48 hours and we will provide a replacement gift.

Please note that gifts in the toy workshop are subject to availability

This information will be passed onto Father Christmas to talk to the children about and to make your visit more personal. The gifts in the toy workshop will not be based on this information.

Photos are not included in the Grotto ticket price. Grotto photographs and gift items are available to purchase on exiting the Grotto and are subject to a processing time of up to 10 minutes at peak periods. Please check all photo products before you leave the Grotto to check you are happy with the layout. Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds or re-take photos after you have left the Grotto.

Yes, this year we are running SEN sessions on the following dates:

9.00am – 9:45am: 23rd and 30th November and the 7th, 14th and 21st December 2024.

7.00pm – 7:30pm on 27th November and 4th December 2024.

We ask our customers to only book these dates if they are attending with SEN children.

Tickets


If we find it necessary to close the Grotto for any reason, we will offer you a full refund or the option to book in to an alternative session (subject to availability).


If you are late for your allocated time or cannot make your session, unfortunately we cannot offer a refund.


Please ensure that you are confident in being able to fulfil your booking before completing the purchase of your tickets.


Tickets cannot be swapped or names changed once booked.


Gifts and photos


If your Grotto gift is broken or damaged, please let us know within 48 hours and we will provide a replacement gift.


Please check all photo products before you leave the Grotto to check you are happy with the layout. Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds or re-take photos after you have left the Grotto.


Can I change my booked session time?


Unfortunately, we cannot change session times and cannot provide refunds for sessions missed.

Yes, the Grotto is wheelchair friendly, we do ask for this information when booking however you can call us or email events@ruxley-manor.co.uk at least 48 hours prior to your visit to let us know.

Please email our Events Team: events@ruxley-manor.co.uk

Please make sure you have read our Terms & Conditions before booking your Grotto tickets