Another wonderful time spent in the grotto at Highways Garden Centre in 2023. I met almost 1,000 children between the ages of 3 weeks and 15 years (not sure the older ones still really believe lol!) It was such a success and I enjoyed it so much.

I will be there again this year so will not be available for home or special event visits again…..sorry. The Events calendar on this website has been updated or you can check my social media FB page Santa Bob. The theme at Highways this year is:

‘Christmas through time’

Santa’s Magic Key has mysteriously vanished, and only YOU can help us track it down.

Hop aboard our magical time machine and journey through the ages, where each stop offers thrilling surprises and clues. From the age of dinosaurs to  the era of  knights; from whoolly mammoths to groovy disco balls – each moment brings you closer to uncovering the secret to the missing key.

Santa Bob dates and times of appearing in the grotto:

November

Sat. 23^rd        10am-4pm

Sun. 24^th       10am-4pm

Sat. 30^th        10am-4pm

December

Sun. 1^st          10am-4pm

Sat. 7^th           9am-4.30pm

Sun. 8^th          10.30am-1.30pm

Sat. 14^th        9am-4.30pm

Sun. 15^th       10.30am-4.30pm

Mon. 16^th     Day Off

Tues. 17^th      10am-6pm

Wed. 18^th     10am-6pm

Thurs. 19^th    10am-6pm

Fri. 20^th         10am-6pm

Sat. 21^st         9am-5pm

Sun. 22^nd       10.30am-4.30pm

Mon. 23^rd     9am-6pm

Tues. 24^th      9am-3pm

To book  follow the link below. There will be other “Santa’s” on duty at the same time so when you arrive don’t forget to tell the elves you would like to see Santa Bob. 

https://www.highwaygardencentre.co.uk/events

This will be my 13th year as Santa! My first appearance was way back in 2012 when I appeared in the Castle Mall grotto and the following year helped to turn on the Christmas lights with Fireman Sam!  

Here are just a few messages of thanks I have received:

 2023 Highways Garden Centre

Our Logan loved his visit with you. Most definitely the best Santa visit, his Kitty also loved that you included her. Lesley Munro

Lovely seeing you today Santa Bob! The children were so happy to meet you again this year. Melissa Jane 

It was great being one of your elves this Christmas & I also wanted to say a big thank you for seeing my crew Friday, they absolutely loved it! Madison White

Lovely visit to see the best Santa as always. Sarah O’Donnell

Thanks Santa Bob you were a star as always. David Burgess

Such a lovely day seeing Father Christmas with Lyla-Jade Mum and Darren.. been such a long time since we’ve been able to do things with mum like this so was really special. Highways was great as usual and Santa Bob is the best Father Christmas ever. Kat Hammers Lee

A magical visit to see the big man. Louise Horner

Another fab visit to Santa Bob Lovely to see you as always. Nicky Wild

 

2022 (Highways Garden Centre Grotto)

Morning Bob,

Firstly just to say thank you! It was great to see you in action, I know it sounds strange but even I saw you transform into character. The moment you adorned the suit you became ‘Santa’ and to put it simply, YOU WERE AMAZING!!

We are quite fussy about the Santa’s we have here and its always nervous taking on new ones, but genuinely, myself and the team were very impressed. It was a joy to see. I caught quite a few of the customers as they exited to try and gauge feedback. Every single one I spoke to was very very happy.

The team and I put a lot of time, effort and heart into building the grotto, and it is great to see someone throw themselves 100% into character and give their heart and soul into it. So again thank you. Lance Cator – Assistant Manager @ Highways Garden Centre

Was lovely to see you Bob. Definitely BEST Santa we’ve seen !! Nicky Wild

Thank you Bob for being the best Santa to our girls, you make it such a magical experience. Happy new year to you see you in 12 months. Louise Joyce

Our favourite and the best Santa  thanks for being as great as ever. Happy new year, see you next Christmas. Sarah O’Donnell

Amazing as always. There’s only one Father Christmas. Kat Hammers-Lee 

2021 (Home visits & YMCA Grotto)

Thankyou Santa!!!! Special memories that we shall cherish forever. Natasha

The most MAGICAL evening spent with santa! Memories to last forever, you truly are the best! Louise

Absolutely magical time with Santa Bob tonight! Thankyou for  creating the most special memories for my boys again this year. You are wonderful. Emma

You were fantastic Santa!!! I’m starting to think that when we all see you during the year you are actually in disguise waiting for Christmas to come back around. Paul

2020 (Home visits & visits to villages on sleigh)

A huge thank you and well done! It was such a special experience, one that actually made me feel quite emotional because it brought a sense of reality back to this mad world at the moment. Such a wonderful memory! Thank you. A huge merry Christmas  and here’s hoping a better year next year. Hayley

Brilliant! My son just said ‘best day ever’. Tracy

Thank you so much that was amazing! Best Santa around.  Emma

Thank you so much. It was amazing. The little elf was fantastic too.          Kat

Thank you so much, that was wonderful. M was mesmerised and I was thrilled with her reaction as it’s difficult to tell how toddlers will react.  Laura

Thank you so much Bob. You simply are the best. You made it so magical for the girls and they absolutely loved it. So did I. Can’t thank you enough! Louise

Just want to say a massive thank you for last night. What a magical experience. The children were amazed and couldn’t wait to tell their friends this morning. When you sang with them it brought a tear to my eye. Thank you so much Santa Bob. Amy

Thank you Bob! You make a fantastic Father Christmas. You really made my daughter’s night. A very special moment! Stacy

Hi Bob. Jut to say a massive thank you for visiting last night. You certainly made the girls’ year. They absolutely loved it and as always you were very professional. Chris

Absolutely amazing! They were soooo surprised. You are really great. Thank you for bringing joy to them. Vicky

Thanks Bob that was magical. It’s the first year he’s gotten what Christmas is about and is getting so excited. You were brilliant. Louisa

A huge thank you to you and your marvellous Elf for visiting L last night. He loved it. You are the best and made a lovely memory for his first Christmas.  Lesley

Thank you so much. The girls loved it and are still in shock now that the real  Santa came to their house. What a magical night. You made their Christmas. Stacy

I’ve had so many lovely messages this morning commenting what a lovely evening and how fab a Santa you are. Everyone was very impressed by Santa and you totally made our evening. Thank you so much Santa Bob. Penny

Thank you so much. The girls absolutely loved it, as did we. What a fantastic Elf! Alex

In 2020 I also teamed up with Banqueting Hire Events who built a sleigh so that Santa and his elves could visit a number of villages around the county. Despite the cold, and sometimes wet weather, we all enjoyed it and the reviews were excellent. Click here to see the video of me on the sleigh. 

2019

Click here to see me arriving at Notcutts back in November 2019 and here are some more testimonials from back then: 

Alfie loved his visit with Santa this afternoon!! Santa Bob was awesome!!

Amazing day today and must say this is the best Santa I have seen. He didn’t rush and was so warm and friendly. Thank you ever so much

Being poorly didn’t stop our little dude seeing Father Christmas.. He was the real Santa as well! Benji loved it

Loved visiting Santa Bob yesterday!! Another memorable visit! Paisley loved him this year! Ran over and gave him a hug when we walked in

Best Santa Ever! Even found a little present for our baby (and told our eldest that mummy used to be a scallywag)! Am thinking he may actually BE Santa, he knows too much!’

‘We had the best time, I teared up a little as the kids were so happy and was magical. Thank you for remembering Sheldon and bun buns. You’re one in a million and a very special man making this precious magic for so many children’ xxx

‘If Carlsberg did Santa’s!! Merry Christmas Santa Bob. We love you’ xxx

Incredible visit today to see Santa Bob. Thank you once again for keeping the magic alive and making their visit so special.

We went today too!! Was amazing! So pleased we saw him! 

‘Oh my you were absolutely AMAZING!!!! I just can’t thank you enough. She is so over whelmed and keeps saying “Was that just a dream? I can’t believe I met the real Santa!” Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving her back the magic of Christmas!’ 

Millies first trip to see Father Christmas and a very special one at that! Bob (or should we say, Santa Bob!) was our wonderful toastmaster at our wedding so it was really lovely to bring Millie to see him today. After the initial tears she did enjoy the lights in the grotto, and her gift!