Santa's Magical Grotto at Aldenham runs weekends from 28 November, then daily 21 to 24 December, from £31.85. Parking is extra and late arrivals are refused.

Santa’s Magical Grotto at Aldenham Country Park is on sale now, from £31.85. It runs every weekend from Saturday 28 November to Sunday 20 December, then every day from Monday 21 to Thursday 24 December (Aldenham Country Park, Christmas). The cheaper Winter Farm Pass, from £6.95, runs every day until 3 January.

The quick answer

  • Grotto dates: weekends 28 November to 20 December, then daily 21 to 24 December. No grotto on weekdays before 21 December.
  • From £31.85, which includes the Winter Farm Pass and two adults. Up to four adults and four children per slot.
  • Arrive 15 minutes early. Late arrivals are not admitted or refunded, and parking is paid separately at the exit barrier.

What the grotto includes

The park describes a visit to Santa’s workshop with his elves, a meet-and-greet with Santa, a gift chosen from the workshop, and a letter to Santa that gets a video reply (Aldenham Country Park, Christmas).

The booking system sets out the rules (Aldenham Country Park booking):

  • The grotto ticket is from £31.85. The Winter Farm Pass is required and is added automatically when you book.
  • Two adults are included; more adults cost extra. The maximum is four adults and four children per time slot.
  • Your time slot is your grotto entry time. Arrive at the farm at least 15 minutes before it. “No late arrivals can be admitted or refunded.”
  • For under-twos and carers, the park says to book the farm pass first and then add the grotto.

When we checked on 25 September, weekend and 21 to 24 December grotto dates were showing as available; weekdays before 21 December and every date after Christmas Eve were not.

The Winter Farm Pass on its own

Winter-Fest runs “everyday from 28th November to 3rd January”, with farm passes from £6.95. The pass covers farm entry and the animals, an elf hunt with a prize at the end, mini tractor play, the bouncy castle in the indoor play barn, a dance tunnel with festive music and karaoke, and a meet-and-greet with Christmas Pooh on selected dates (Aldenham Country Park booking).

The park’s wording is “every day”; it does not separately confirm opening on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, so ring before a bank holiday visit (0208 953 9602).

Parking, payment and dogs

Parking is not included in any ticket. It costs £4.50 on weekdays in school term and £5.50 at weekends and in the holidays, paid by contactless card or phone at the exit barrier. Pre-booked parking holders collect a token from the farm shop (Aldenham Country Park, plan your visit).

Hertfordshire schools break up on Friday 18 December (Hertfordshire County Council), so from 19 December every day is charged at the £5.50 rate. Some local schools finish earlier; our term dates page has them.

The park is mostly cashless. Cash is taken only in the farm shop, the Clock House Kiosk and the Warm Welcome Cafe. Dogs are welcome on leads but not in signposted areas or any children’s play area (plan your visit).

Getting there

Aldenham Country Park Farm is on Aldenham Road, Elstree WD6 3BA, between Borehamwood and Radlett. Check Borehamwood roadworks before setting off, and our parking page if you are combining it with the town centre.

Other Christmas dates nearby

The town council’s Borehamwood switch-on has included a free grotto; our Christmas lights switch-on page has what is known about it. Before Christmas, Aldenham runs Spook-Fest until 31 October.

Still to be confirmed

  • Grotto time slots for each day, which appear only in the booking system.
  • Whether the farm opens on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The park says “every day”; ask before you go.

Sources: Aldenham Country Park Christmas page, plan your visit page and its Checkfront booking system (queried date by date on 25 September 2026); Hertfordshire County Council term dates.