SANTA CLAWS IS BACK for his 4th year at GTKA!

Back by huge popular demand! Hundreds of families tell us he’s the BEST Santa they’ve ever met… and they come back year after year!

Get ready for pure Christmas magic… Meet Santa Claws — Essex’s most famous, funny, utterly one-of-a-kind Santa, who’ll have your little ones completely convinced he’s the real deal!

And yes... during your visit they’ll also get to meet and cuddle one of Santa’s festive furry friends (a gorgeous guinea pig or a friendly rat) while they chat to Santa!

The Magic Begins...

As Santa’s Christmas elf leads you up the twinkling, fairy-lit stairs, you’ll hear Santa chatting away to his reindeer and elves, getting ready just for YOU!

Step into his incredible Tree House Grotto — a Christmas wonderland packed floor-to-ceiling with twinkling trees, retro decorations, and more festive sparkle than you can wave a candy cane at!

But here’s the REAL magic...

Santa Claws knows ALL about your little one — their name, age, what they’re brilliant at, and even what they’ve asked for this Christmas!

Watch their eyes go wide as they realise...this really IS Santa! While having the most hilarious, magical chat (he’s got proper banter! ), they’ll cuddle a furry friend and make those once-in-a-lifetime Christmas memories.

Every 10-minute visit includes:

A magical, funny Santa who knows everything about your child

  A Christmas elf guide up the enchanted stairs

  A cuddle with a guinea pig or rat during your Santa chat

  A special Christmas gift from Santa himself

  Festive treats (chocolate, sweets, or mince pie)

  100% indoors — no cold noses or toes, just cosy Christmas magic!

Ticket options & prices

 • Meet Santa + A Furry friend + Sanctuary entry = £20 per child

 • Sanctuary entry for accompanying guests: £9.50 (pay on arrival)

 • Each magical session with Santa lasts 10 minutes

 • Maximum of 2 children per session

 • Maximum of 2 children per session

 • If you have more than 2 children, you can book multiple sessions, and the whole family can still go up to meet Santa together!

Important things you need to know

 • The grotto is up stairs, so unfortunately it’s not wheelchair accessible

 • Santa-only tickets: please check in/enter via the yard entrance (not through the main sanctuary entrance)

 • Bookings are non-refundable, but you can change to a different date with 48 hours’ notice (subject to availability)

 • To protect our animals and staff, if you’re feeling poorly (cough/cold symptoms), please don’t attend — you can move to another date, or if none are available we’ll provide a credit note

 • We’ll ask you to fill out a short form about your child when you book — it’s an essential part of what makes Santa Claws so unbelievably special!

Magical AND meaningful

Every penny supports our 300+ rescued animals — making your visit both magical and meaningful!

Book now for an unforgettable Christmas experience your family will talk about for years to come!

FAQ 

How long is the Santa visit?

 Each Santa Claws grotto session lasts 10 minutes.

How many children can I bring per session?

 A maximum of 2 children per session. If you have more than 2 children, you can book multiple sessions and your whole family can still go up together.

What are the ticket options and prices?

• £15 per child for a Santa-only visit (no sanctuary entry).

• £25 for Santa + sanctuary entry (includes 1 adult + 1 child).

• Additional accompanying adults can pay half-price sanctuary entry on the day.

Is the grotto wheelchair accessible?

 The grotto is reached by stairs, so unfortunately it’s not wheelchair accessible.

Where do we check in for Santa-only tickets?

 For Santa-only tickets, please check in at the cafe in the yard (not through the main sanctuary). Entrance into Santa's grotto will be up the stairs in the yard.

If you have sanctuary entry included tickets, you can check in at the main reception in the sanctuary any time on the same day, and spend as long as you like enjoying hanging out with our 300+ rescued/ rehomed animals