Christmas at Ho-Ho-Honister | Santa's Secret Grotto
Disclaimer: This post is written in partnership with the lovely team at Honister. All review words and opinions are my own. All photos are copyright property of Me Becoming Mum.
Our annual Christmas countdown begins with turning our house into the ultimate Christmas wonderland and a trip to see the big man in red. This year was an extra special Santa visit, at one of our favourite places - Honister Slate Mine (or Ho-Ho-Honister especially for this time of year!) Read on to explore photos of our visit complete with everything you need to know about how to book your own visit to Santa.
About Honister Slate Mine
Honister Slate Mine is located in the heart of the famous Lake District, and is one of England's last working slate mines. The 450 million year old Westmorland Green slate has been mined here for almost 300 years. Now, alongside the continued mining of the slate, Honister offers a range of activities including mine tours, via ferrata, and the Infinity Bridge…. And just in time for Christmas, Santa's Secret Underground Grotto!
Once upon a time, in the heart of the Lake District, there existed a wondrous place hidden away from the bustling world, known only to the elves and magical creatures who dwelled there. It was here that Santa Claus chose to retreat during the chilly winter months, far from the eyes of the world.
How to find Honister Slate Mine
Honister Slate Mine is located on Honister Pass. The gradient is on average 10% so be sure your car is up to the task before heading up.
To find the car park, use this post code: CA12 5XN
Parking is free for anyone using the café, shop, or booked on any of the Honister activities. Don't forget to get a parking pass when you speak to the elf in the shop.
Watch my video of our visit
Want to see what it's like in more than just photos? Check out the reel I created of our visit to Ho-Ho-Honister's Santa's Secret Underground Grotto.
Santa's Secret Grotto tour prices
Entry to Santa's Secret Grotto costs:
Adults: £17.50
Children (Under 1 years): £5
Children (1+ years): £20
What's included in Ho'-Ho-Honister's Santa's Secret Grotto experience?
An elf introduction and Christmas bus ride
Once you’ve signed in, an elf will give you a beautiful slate Christmas bauble. Then you head down the hall. You’re kitted out with hard hats, before Santa's chief elf, Holly Sparklefoot, meets you and gets you on the bus to head up to the mine.
She was fabulous, telling stories and really building up the Christmas magic. I loved that she called the adults ‘tall-ies’ and told the children to look after us and hold our hands. A great way to ensure they're safe on the slippy steps while making them feel important.
A walk through the mine shafts
Once the bus drops you off near the entrance to the mine, you head through some tunnels, and up slopes and stairs to reach the winter wonderland part of the tour. Take care, especially if it's wet. The tracks and steps can be slippy! It's also extremely low in places. John is no stranger to ducking, but even Squidgy and I had to duck in places!
N.B. It's important to remember to stay with your group and keep children supervised. Slate mines are one of the safest mines you can tour, but that doesn’t mean you can just head off on your own. Don't panic if you're slow. Holly Sparklefoot was amazing. She stopped plenty of times to allow the smallies and tallies to catch up!
Entering Santa's Winter Wonderland
Ho-Ho-Honistor have gone all out to make the inside of the main mine leading to Santa's Secret Underground Grotto special. With tunnels and pathways lit with twinkling lights, and caverns filled with penguins, snowmen, gonks, and more it was truly magical. Each place we stopped, Holly Sparklefoot told stories of how the miners were helped by the snowmen or penguins to be able to get home for Christmas, and how the gonks love to sing Jingle Bells and make gifts for Santa to deliver. It was perfect, and the children loved every second.
Snowman Cavern
Santa's Workshop
Post your letter to Santa
At one of the caverns there is a giant Nutcracker guarding the letterbox where you can post your letters to Santa. The children were so excited to get their letters sent, in our group there was a teenager who even sent his!
Visit the big man in red
The highlight of any Christmas experience is getting to meet the big man in red himself! Santa (Donald!) was simply fabulous. He was wonderful with the children, and even checked if daddy and mummy have been good this year. Holly Sparklefoot is there, and happy to use your phone to take photos. The children chatted about what they want for Christmas, and they each got a little gift from Santa before we left the grotto.
P.S. How cute do we all look in our matching jumpers (good ol' Primark!) We got so many complements from Santa, Holly, and the other families in our tour group.
Hot chocolate, biscuits, and a chance to draw a picture
Once you've visited Santa, there is a table set up below Santa's garden (complete with reindeer lights!) with hot chocolate and biscuits. You can also complete the Christmas quiz about your visit to the winter wonderland and draw a picture of your favourite part.
Photo ops
Throughout the tour there are opportunities to take photos and enjoy everything that Ho-Ho-Honister has to offer. The children’s favourite place to stop was the photo cutout board!
Don't forget…
Dress appropriately
Heading over 1000ft up Honister Pass to visit the slate mine means you should be prepared for the weather. In particular, be sure to bring appropriate clothing for the chill you'll find within the carved out walls of the mine itself. Even on a hot day such as the one we visited on, you will find the air cold inside the mine. Check the weather forecast, and pack relevant jumpers and coats accordingly.
FAQs about our family days out
Is Ho-Ho-Honister's Santa's Secret Grotto worth the money?
We think so! There are so many things that make a visit to Ho-Ho-Honister worthwhile and value for money including:
No queues
Free parking
Exploring the mine
The slate decoration
A magical winter wonderland with all the Christmas lights
The visit with Santa including a gift for all the children
Holly Sparklefoot takes pictures on your phone… no extra charge for getting a copy of your photo from the grotto.
Hot chocolate and biscuits
A quiz and drawing competition
What happens if it rains?
It just makes it all the more exciting! It was absolutely pelting down the day we visited, but it didn't deter the excitement. Running through waterfalls and treading through water in the tunnels was something the children thought was super fun, and all the adults had a good laugh too.
Is there anywhere to eat?
Just inside the Honister building you will find a small café with indoor seating. They offer hot and cold drinks, as well as a range of food and snacks. Additionally, at the back of the Honister building are a number of picnic benches where you can enjoy refreshments.
Are there facilities available?
In addition to the café and shop which offers a range of handcrafted slate gifts from coasters to sculptures; the Honister building has male and female toilets. Additionally, there is an accessible toilet and changing facilities adjacent to the café. Once you head up to the mine tour and Santa's Secret Underground Grotto there are no facilities available. As the experience is around 1.5 hours long, be sure to get little ones to pop to the loo before you go!
We really had the best time, and I was so glad we made the trip down to visit. Thank you so much to the amazing team at Honister for making our experience such a magical one… we can't wait to be back soon.
Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas from all of us!
For more blog posts about exploring the beautiful outdoor spaces the Lake District has to offer, check out my days out and travel blog. Have you found somewhere amazing to visit in the U.K.? We love to explore new spots, so feel free to share in the comments below.
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Despite not being up to my usual crazy decorating for our home, it is still very Christmas-y!