Santa's grotto and reindeer trail offer festive fun at Creswell Crags

Santa has taken up residence in his grotto, reindeer are in hiding and there’s unique Christmas gifts waiting to be bought at Creswell Crags.
By Gay Bolton
Published 2nd Dec 2022, 09:51 BST
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The world-famous Ice Age site is all set to welcome visitors at the most magical time of the year.

Every child visiting Father Christmas in his grotto during weekends until Christmas will receive a gift and be able to take part in festive crafting sessions, all included in their Santa ticket.

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There is a new festive family trail enticing children of all ages to hunt for the hidden handmade reindeer. Each reindeer will have a secret letter that children can use to spell a festive word. Everyone taking part in the trail will receive a treat on completion.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at the Ice Age site Creswell Crags.It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at the Ice Age site Creswell Crags.
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at the Ice Age site Creswell Crags.

Admission to Santa’s Grotto is £7 per child and the Reindeer Trail is £3 each which includes trail sheet, pencil and sheet.

Hannah Steggles, head of public engagement said: “It’s sure to be an incredible Christmas, and we cannot wait to welcome all our visitors to Creswell Crags this year. Obviously, we’re very grateful to Santa for setting up his grotto in our museum building once again; he really does seem to like visiting here as he’s been coming for over 20 years! We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to see him – it's always wonderful to see the same families back again, and often with new children in tow!

“We appreciate the cost-of-living crisis will have an impact on Christmas for many, but we’re committed to keeping the cost of our activities as low as possible to ensure everyone can support local and have an amazing festive period.”

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Open every weekend up to Christmas, the museum gift shop will be stocked with a unique range of Ice Age inspired gifts for all ages, from books and cuddly toys to handmade jewellery and stoneware.

Creswell Crags Café will be serving homemade soup, paninis, and Christmas inspired cakes provided by local suppliers including Bakewell Bakery and 4eyes Patisserie.

The site is home to more than 20 caves and rock shelters, which have yielded rich deposits of archaeological and palaeontological material now on display in the museum. The earliest material is from a warm period 125,000 years ago, during which hippopotamus, narrow-nosed rhinoceros and hyenas were present in the landscape.