THE ORIGINAL FATHER CHRISTMAS
- DICKENSIAN GROTTO AT STANLEY PALACE
Remember what Christmas used to be like? We do!
Experience the sights and smells of a Victorian Christmas, set within one of Chester's hidden gems.
Join us at Stanley Palace, Watergate Street over the festive period, where we’ll be hosting the original Father Christmas and Mother Christmas. Come and meet them in their enchanted Dickensian grotto, complete with traditional toys and festive cheer.
Location:
Stanley Palace
83 Watergate St,
Chester CH1 2LF
Dates and opening times
Our grotto will be open on Sunday 8th, 15th and 22nd December
1pm-6pm
Entry fee - £12 for each child receiving a traditional Christmas gift*
Or
Book now to take advantage of our early bird price of £10
(Offer available until 31st October)
Your visit
Father Christmas and Mother Christmas appear in traditional nineteenth century clothing as they would have done in the time of Charles Dickens.
Each ticket includes a traditional gift.
Please note that if meeting Father Christmas himself seems a bit daunting, there is an option for shy or nervous children to meet Mother Christmas instead.
For those wishing to visit Mother Christmas instead, please specify when making your ticket purchase.
Booking
Here early?
Regular sessions
Quiet hour/Disability sessions
Did you know?
Father Christmas' fashions were known to change throughout the centuries? Although now he’s almost always seen in red, it only really became his go-to colour in 1931. This was due to a marketing campaign, in which Santa was depicted by American Illustrator, Haddon Sundblom, drinking cola. He was obviously taken with this new look! Beforehand, his wardrobe was much more colourful.
To compliment our Dickensian theme, Father Christmas has decided to dust off his old green kit, which has been hanging at the back of his wardrobe for centuries?
Why Dickensian?
Charles Dickens first visited Chester on 13th August 1858, where he gave a reading from his festive book 'A Christmas Carol' at the music hall (formerly St Nicholas' Chapel) on St Werburgh Street. It is for this reason that Stanley Palace has created a Dickensian grotto in memory of this, featuring the man who inspired Dicken's 'Ghost of Christmas Present'...Father Christmas!
Terms & Conditions
By purchasing a ticket, you agree to abide by rules of Stanley Palace and its staff.
Please take care and behave responsibly when moving within Stanley Palace as it is set within an old building.