Lily and Mum Amy are the first visitors to Santa's Grotto at Flemingate

Visitors to Flemingate gasped in delight as Santa and his trusty elves officially opened the doors to the area’s newest and biggest grotto in the area on Saturday. 

Now visitors can enter the winter kingdom and weave their way along the snow-lined path to the magnificent castle where elves welcome them into Santa’s grotto. Once inside the cosy grotto, with a log fire burning brightly and stockings hanging from the brick fireplace, families can meet Father Christmas, take photographs and receive a special gift for Christmas Day.

Amy Brodie from Beverley was the first parent to visit Father Christmas at Flemingate with her three-year-old daughter Lily and she said: “The grotto is really lovely and it was nice for Lily to meet Father Christmas, get her present and tell Santa what she wants for Christmas. We live just across the road and use Flemingate a lot, so it’s great the grotto is here now.”

Graham Tait, Flemingate Centre Manager, said: “It’s great to watch the surprised faces of people entering the grotto for the first time because it really does look impressive. The grotto is already proving very popular with visitors and we feel the Christmas season is well and truly under way here. We’re really busy welcoming people from near and far to Flemingate to experience a fabulous Christmas time.”

You can meet Santa and his magical elves for just £5, which includes a Christmas gift. Tickets are available at the grotto or you can book in advance on the Flemingate website at flemingate.co.uk/grotto

Opening times for the grotto vary, so please check on the Flemingate website. Group discounts for school and nursery visits are also available. Please call 01482 320088 for details.