Santa at Dobbies, Aylesbury

Dobbies, also known as ‘Worlds End’ Garden Centre, is at Wendover in Aylesbury. For the past four years, we have been going to see Santa at Dobbies. As my daughter’s birthday is on December 20th, it’s a bit of a double treat (we do celebrate her birthday separately though!). The Santa’s Grotto is the perfect Winter Wonderland and comes highly recommended at Christmas.

Where is it?

Address: Dobbies Garden Centre, Weston Turville, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 6BD.

The Santa’s Grotto tends to run from the end of November, up to Christmas Eve. With the restrictions this year it is advised to book beforehand. View events here.

What is it like?

Each year we have been, it has been slightly different. The garden centre itself is lovely and spacious with lots of areas to shop. There is a Christmas shop with cards, gifts and decorations. Plus a farm shop and mini supermarket. In addition, there is a small coffee shop and a large restaurant which is excellent value.

Outdoors there have been small fairground rides for the children in the past. However they haven’t been there for the last two years. But that doesn’t take away from the detail and effort the team put into creating the magical Santa’s trail.

Arrive Early

If you can get booked in early, then it’s usually quieter. Also the closer to Christmas you go the busier it is. Last year we turned up on the last weekend of November (we didn’t have to book) and we were the only ones there. However on the previous year, we went at around lunchtime in late December and there were long queues.

You enter a marquee which has been transformed into a magical wonderland. You follow the trail around, with displays on each side of Christmas houses and reindeer. There are plenty of fairy lights and themes in each area. For example, a penguin club, complete with a dance floor and DJ!

Winter Trail

The atmosphere is very magical and builds you up for Christmas. There are polar bears, Christmas trees and snowmen all around you. This year the elves handed the children a magic bean to give to Santa, which he transforms into a mini Christmas tree to take home. In the past, there have been clues as the children go around the trail and one year they could decorate a little tree after seeing Santa.

Seeing Santa at Dobbies

Once you get to the end of the trail, you wait to be taken in to Santa’s Grotto (which is exciting for the parents as well as the kids!) This year we had to queue which was disappointing, but due to the lockdown and people having to rearrange their visit, we made an exception. We just ensured we did our best to distance from others in the queue.

When we went in to see Santa, he had a good chat with Eva. She handed him the magic bean and the elf popped it in a little hatch. When she took it back out, it was a little Christmas tree.

They then gave Eva an age appropriate gift and we had the option for a photo. The lady dressed as an elf took a professional photo which we were able to purchase, and we also took our own photo.

As you leave, you have the choice to purchase the photo. They came in different sizes or as keyrings or baubles. We decided a bauble would be nice to have on the tree as a memory each year.

Other Events at Dobbies

Check out the website for other events at Dobbies in Aylesbury. There is a Christmas decorating afternoon tea with Santa, and story telling with Santa or breakfast with Santa.

We haven’t done any of these activities, but we may book one for next year.