Breakfast with Santa

Make your little one’s Christmas one to remember with our magical Santa Experience.

Join us this Christmas for a fun filled festive breakfast with Santa Claus himself. Our Santa Experience is perfect for the whole family and will be held inside the Garden Restaurant’s Thornton Suite from the 25th November until Christmas Eve.

The event starts at 9am (8.30am on Saturdays and Sundays) with breakfast being served at 9.15am (8.45am on Saturdays and Sundays).

Santa and his Elves will visit each table, chatting to children and adults alike, while you enjoy a delicious meal. Children (with a child ticket that includes a present) will be given a golden ticket by Santa and invited to exchange their golden ticket for a gift of their choice on leaving the Restaurant.

The following meal choices are available.

For adults

Traditional English Breakfast – 1 Hambleton sausage, 2 rashers of back bacon, ½ grilled tomato, mushrooms, 1 hash brown, baked beans, 1 local free-range fried egg and white or wholemeal toast and butter, with unlimited tea, coffee, orange or apple juice.

or

Pancakes – Stack of five American-style pancakes served with a fruit compote and crème fraîche, with unlimited tea, coffee, orange or apple juice.

For children (child ticket includes a present)

Mini Traditional English Breakfast – 1 Hambleton sausage, 1 rasher of back bacon, 1 hash brown, baked beans and white or wholemeal toast and butter, with unlimited soft drinks AND a gift from Santa.

or

Mini Pancakes – A smaller stack of American-style pancakes served with chocolate sauce and bananas, with unlimited soft drinks AND a gift from Santa.

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free breakfast options are available, you’ll be able to specify this once you’ve received your confirmation email from us.

Unfortunately, we are unable to alter or exchange items, unless for food allergies.

Frequently asked questions

How many places can I book?

You can book as many places as you wish, up to our maximum capacity of 50 per session. Each booking will be seated on a separate, pre-allocated table.

In order to guarantee being seated together, you’ll need to make one booking.

Will I have to queue?

The starting time for Breakfast with Santa is 9am Monday to Friday and 8.30am on Saturday and Sunday, you will not be able to enter until this time. There are a limited number of places available at each session, which lasts around 1.5 hours. Depending on how many places have been sold for your session, you may have to queue for a very short time to enter. Weekends are our busiest time and are usually fully booked; meaning a short wait is inevitable.

What do I need to bring to gain entry?

Your booking confirmation will have been emailed to you within 24 hours of your booking. Please bring this with you, either printed or by showing it on your phone and have it ready to present to the Elf at the entrance to the Thornton Suite. We operate a strict no confirmation, no entry policy.

When should I arrive?

Please arrive promptly, no more than 10 minutes before your booking time. This helps us to keep queuing to a minimum. Please do not arrive earlier than this as we are unable to allow you to enter before your booked time. As tables are pre-allocated, there is no benefit in arriving early. We cannot guarantee entry if you are late for your booking.

Can I book on the day or do I need to pre-book?

You must pre-book online in advance in order to book this experience. You will not be able to book a place on the day, as booking closes at midnight two days before for each session.

What age is the experience aimed at?

Dinner with Santa is suitable for all ages. We recommend the maximum age for a child place, which includes a gift from Santa, to be age 10. If, however, you would like your child who is older than this to receive a present, please purchase a child place for them. Older children, who do not wish to receive a present, are welcome to accompany their younger siblings – please purchase an adult place for them.

What is included in the visit?

Adults receive a larger breakfast with unlimited drinks. Children receive a smaller breakfast with unlimited drinks and a gift from Santa.

Do you offer concession prices or group discounts?

Unfortunately, we do not offer concession prices or group discounts. However, we are able to accommodate group bookings. Please book in the usual way via the website or if you require any additional information or assistance, please email us at info@gatesgardencentre.co.uk or call us on 01664 454309.

Is entry for babies free of charge?

Yes, entry for babies under the age of 1 year old is free of charge. Note that babies do not receive a gift from Santa or a meal – if you would like your baby to receive a gift or meal, please choose the full paying child place.

I don’t have a printer – how do I gain entry?

You do not have to print your confirmation – you can either show it on your phone or simply make a note of the Booking Reference Number and take it with you, coupled with some ID.

I have lost my confirmation email, what should I do?

Please contact us at info@gatesgardencentre.co.uk and we will arrange for a replacement. Proof of identity may be required.

Can I take my own photos when we visit?

Yes, you are very welcome to take your own photos throughout the session. There will be no professional photographer or photo gifts to purchase.

Can I bring my pet?

Unfortunately we are unable to accept pets in the Restaurant. Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs are always welcome.

Is there access for wheelchairs?

Yes, the Restaurant and Thornton Suite is all on one level. If you require any additional information or assistance, please email us at info@gatesgardencentre.co.uk or call us on 01664 454309.

Can I bring my pushchair into the Restaurant?

Yes.

We’re more than one family in our party can we sit together?

Yes, but please can you make one joint booking so we count you as a single party and can then arrange the table to suit your combined number.

My child has additional needs, what is the best time to visit?

We welcome all children to our Breakfast with Santa experience and the team is able to assist with any additional needs you may have. If you prefer to visit at a quieter time, may we suggest booking an early date, on a weekday and before the school holidays begin. If you would like to discuss your child’s needs with us prior to your visit, please call us on 01664 454309.

Can I cancel my booking and receive a refund?

If you need to cancel your booking more than 48 hours in advance of your session, we will arrange for a full refund to be issued to you via the original payment method.

If you are unable to attend your session for any reason and can’t tell us more than 48 hours in advance, but you do advise us before the session start time, a member of our team will arrange a Gates Gift Voucher to the value of your cancelled booking, to be used either in the Garden Restaurant or the Courtyard Coffee Shop before 31/03/24.

Do I need to pay for parking?

No, there is plenty of parking and it is free.

Full Terms & Conditions for this event.