🎅 A new Santa’s Grotto Experience filled with festive magic and interactive activities is coming to Willington Garden Centre in Bedford this year.

🗓 2026 DATES
▪️21st - 22nd November
▪️28th - 29th November
▪️3rd - 8th December
▪️10th - 24th December

☃️ EVENT DETAILS
The premium grotto event takes children on a thrilling Christmas journey through three different winter wonderland rooms to meet Santa and his elves.

First stop is the North Pole where Reindeer Ronnie will help little ones make reindeer food for Christmas Eve. The elves will join in the fun with a special festive dance and sing-a-long.

Then it’s time to step through the curtains into Santa’s Grotto to share Christmas wish lists and capture the moment with a keepsake photograph. Each child then has the chance to choose their own gift from the Present Room which is brimming with toys for all ages.

The adventure then moves into Mrs Christmas’ Kitchen where children can decorate their own gingerbread house cookie to take home with them.

🧑‍🎄 SEN SANTA GROTTO EXPERIENCE
To help make our Grotto experience as accessible as possible to any families who may require any additional support, we are offering an exclusive SEN session.
This session will be the same unique Grotto experience you would expect from Frosts, with some small adaptations in the way of smaller groups of people, reduced lighting and sound and less display furniture making it easily accessible for all.

🗓 2026 SEN DATES:
▪️Sunday 22nd November
▪️Sunday 29th November
▪️Sunday 6th December
▪️Sunday 13th December
▪️Sunday 20th December

🎟 TICKET COST:
Prices from £6.50 to £100.00

✨️ Experience an all-new Illuminated experience at Ashridge House, inspired by the beloved Christmas poem ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ by Clement Clarke Moore.

🗓 2026 OPENING DATES
▪️20th - 22nd November
▪️26th - 29th November
▪️2nd - 6th December
▪️9th - 24th December
▪️26th - 31st December
▪️1st - 2nd January 2027

🕓 TIMES
The first entry varies between 4pm & 4.30pm and the last entry varies between 7.30pm & 8pm, depending on your chosen visit date.

🌟 EVENT DETAILS
Follow a reimagined trail through the historic Ashridge Estate, where enchanting light, sound and storytelling bring festive wonder to life at every turn.

As Hertfordshire's largest Christmas light trail, Illuminated 2026 unveils brand-new installations, spectacular projection transforming the House, and immersive moments designed to delight all ages.

🎁 MARKET
Before or after your journey, explore our expanded and newly located Christmas market, featuring seasonal treats, warming drinks and Christmas shopping.

👣 HOW LONG WILL THE TRAIL TAKE?
You can explore the trail at your own pace, enjoying the installations as quickly or slowly as you like. On average, the trail will take approximately 60-75 minutes.

ℹ️ ACCESSIBILITY INFO
This outdoor event features light installations placed at various points around our Grade II* listed gardens. We have taken every step to make as many areas as possible accessible to visitors. However, due to the scale and nature of the gardens and grounds, we cannot always guarantee full accessibility. 

Please be aware the trail includes bright flashing lights, busy crowds, music & pyrotechnics.

🐶 DOG FRIENDLY DAYS
▪️Wednesday & Thursday's

🎟 TICKET COST FROM:
▪️Adult: £24.50
▪️Child (4-16): £15.40
▪️Senior (65+): £22.00
▪️Family of 4: £72.00
▪️Under 4's: FREE
▪️Carer: FREE

*Prices vary by date and time. Peak, standard, and off-peak rates apply.