SOLD OUT FOR 2026 | Join the waiting list
Santa’s Grotto Gloucester
The Christmas Photos You’ve Always Wanted. The Magic Your Kids Will Never Forget.
★★★★★ 5-star rated | Trusted by 250+ families | 6+ years of magic
14-15 November 2026 | Longlevens | £399
One completely private appointment. The real Father Christmas. You already know what it feels like when photography is done properly – now let me give your family a Christmas experience you’ll never forget.
✓ Free parking in Longlevens ✓ DBS-checked ✓ SEN-friendly ✓ 7-day turnaround
5 mins off A40/M5 • Longlevens – easy from Gloucester & Cheltenham
The Christmas Photos You’ve Always Wanted. The Magic Your Kids Will Never Forget.
★★★★★ 5-star rated experience | Trusted by 250+ families | 6+ years of magic
14-15 November 2026 | Longlevens | £399
One completely private appointment. The real Father Christmas. You already know what it feels like when photography is done properly – now let me give your family a Christmas they’ll actually remember.
✓ Free parking in Longlevens ✓ DBS-checked ✓ SEN-friendly ✓ 7-day turnaround
5 mins off A40/M5 • Longlevens – easy from Gloucester & Cheltenham
Ever been to a grotto and left feeling… meh?
- Fake beards and rushed visits that feel like a conveyor belt
- Your toddler screaming while strangers queue behind you
- Blurry phone photos you’d never put on a Christmas card
- Zero time to actually enjoy the moment because you’re too busy wrangling kids
Sound familiar?
That’s why we build this unique experience differently:
✅ Private family appointments
no queues, no impatient onlookers
✅ The REAL Father Christmas
proper beard, proper magic
✅ Professional photographer
so you can be IN the photos, not stuck behind your phone
✅ Friendly elves
to warm nervous little ones up gently
✅ A backup plan
if they scream the place down 👀
✅ Extra time
if you need it – no rush, no stress
✅ Thoughtful gifts included
no plastic rubbish
Ever been to a grotto and left feeling… meh?
- Fake beards and rushed visits that feel like a conveyor belt
- Your toddler screaming while strangers queue behind you
- Blurry phone photos you’d never put on a Christmas card
- Zero time to actually enjoy the moment because you’re too busy wrangling kids
Sound familiar?
That’s why we build this unique experience differently:
✅ Private family appointments
no queues, no impatient onlookers
✅ The REAL Father Christmas
proper beard, proper magic
✅ Professional photographer
so you can be IN the photos, not stuck behind your phone
✅ Friendly elves
to warm nervous little ones up gently
✅ A backup plan
if they scream the place down 👀
✅ Extra time
if you need it – no rush, no stress
✅ Thoughtful gifts included
no plastic rubbish
Santa’s Grotto Photo Gallery
See what fun we’ve had over the years!
It was magical from start to finish… the photos are incredible and I just had to order the package because I just couldn’t choose!! My girls loved every minute of it.
Emma
Your Experience Includes
Private Grotto Visit
A relaxed 25 minute visit for all the family.
Professional Photography
So you can be in the moment AND in the photos.
Two Festive Sets
Beautiful backgrounds for variety in your photos.
Present for Each Child
Thoughtful gifts – and no plastic tat!
All Photos Included
All the magic, yours to treasure forever.
Session Options
Standard Session – £399
A magical 25-minute experience with Father Christmas! I’ll capture all the festive magic while you and your little ones enjoy your time in the Grotto.
Twilight Session – £449 ⭐ Our most magical sessions! (Sold Out)
Experience our experience with Father Christmas as the light fades and the Christmas lights come alive. Come in your festive PJs, enjoy the twinkling lights and falling snow (shhhh, that bit’s a secret!), then head home for a family Christmas movie night!
Flexible Payment options: Pay in full now | Book now for £50 with balance due in September | Book your session for £50, split the remaining payments until September
Our Beautiful Moment Promise
Here’s what I know after years of Santa’s Grotto sessions: every single child has their moment of magic – even if it doesn’t happen the way you expect.
Maybe it’s that split second of wonder when they first see Father Christmas. Or the genuine belly laugh when the snow machine starts. Sometimes it’s the sweet curiosity as they touch his beard, or even the beautiful expression of concentration as they think about what to say.
I’m an expert at spotting these moments and capturing them beautifully.
You’re guaranteed gorgeous photos that tell your family’s unique Christmas story.
Hi, I’m Katie (and this is my friend Father Christmas!) 👋
I’m a mum first, photographer second – which means I totally get the chaos of family life! As an award-winning family photographer in Gloucester, I’ve been capturing precious moments for local families since 2018.
What you should know:
- 6 years running our magical Santa’s Grotto experience (2026 will be the 7th!)
- Award-winning photography you can trust
- Based in Gloucester – supporting local families
Hi, I’m Katie (and this is my friend Father Christmas!) 👋
I’m a mum first, photographer second – which means I totally get the chaos of family life! As an award-winning family photographer in Gloucester, I’ve been capturing precious moments for local families since 2018.
What you should know:
- 6 years running our magical Santa’s Grotto experience (2026 will be the 7th!)
- Award-winning photography you can trust
- Based in Gloucester – supporting local families
See what some of our families say
Nikki
The whole experience was magical! The children loved seeing Santa… Katie captured the most stunning split-second photograph. We all loved every minute and wouldn’t go anywhere else now.
Sarah
My daughter screamed the entire time… Katie was so calm and professional and kind… although we didn’t get a smiling photo, we got a beautiful family pic with Father Christmas that I’m so proud of.
Alison
Katie could not have been more patient with my two boys, one who refused to sit still and one who smiled just two or three times… she still managed to capture a gorgeous set of images.
Ready to book?
Still have questions?
Santa’s Grotto Experience FAQs
To ensure a smooth booking process, here are the answers to the questions I get asked most often. If you still have any queries, just get in touch.
Location and Practicalities
Where is the grotto and is there parking?
The grotto takes place at my studio in Longlevens, just off the A40 and M5, so it’s easy to reach from Gloucester, Cheltenham and further afield. There’s some parking available on-site and plenty of free on-street parking available nearby.
Is the Grotto accessible?
The grotto itself is designed to be calm, private and unrushed, making it a supportive environment for children with SEN or who simply need a slower pace. I’ll always adapt to your child’s needs so the visit feels comfortable for them.
The studio building isn’t wheelchair accessible due to its layout, and I know this may be disappointing for some families. I want to be upfront about this so you can make the best decision for your needs.
If you or your child has other accessibility requirements, please do get in touch before booking – I’ll do everything I can to make the experience work for you.
What will the grotto look like this year?
The grotto sets are refreshed every year to keep things magical and exciting. I share details and sneak peeks of the current year’s sets over on my social media in the run-up to Christmas – so make sure you’re following along for the latest updates. You can expect cosy, festive designs that photograph beautifully and give your children plenty to explore.
Timing & What’s Included
How long is the visit?
This is a 25 minute experience. You’ll head straight into the Grotto where Elf Katie will introduce you to Father Christmas while she captures all the magic on camera!
What does our ticket include?
Your ticket includes:
✨ A magical 25-minute experience for all the family.
✨ All your photos delivered digitally within 7 days (high resolution)
✨ A gift for each child from Father Christmas
✨ Two beautiful festive sets on the day
When will I get to see our photos?
You’ll have all your photos sent straight to you within 7 days.
What are the nice list medals?
These are an optional extra that can be added to your booking. They’re a lovely keepsake for children to receive from Father Christmas himself – a little reminder that they made the Nice List this year!
Please note the medals are not toys and should not be used without adult supervision.
Who Can Come?
What if we have more than one child - is there a sibling discount?
The ticket price is per family, not per child. That means siblings are all included in the same session and each child receives their own thoughtful gift. If you’d like to add personalised Nice List medals, we do offer discounts for siblings.
Can we bring a friend/wider family member?
The grotto experience is designed for one household per booking so that every family gets private time with Father Christmas. If you’d love photos of your children with cousins or friends, you’re very welcome to arrange this in advance. The best way is to book back-to-back sessions and then let me know, so we can make sure the timings flow smoothly.
What age is this best for?
Honestly – all ages. Babies, toddlers, school-age kids, even older ones who are in their “last believing years” still love the experience. We tailor the energy to your children, whether that’s keeping it calm for a sleepy newborn, playful for wriggly toddlers, or special and magical for older ones.
Children’s Experience
What if my child is shy / doesn’t want to meet Father Christmas?
That’s really common, and we’ve seen it all before! We’ve got plenty of time, so we can take things slow and go at your child’s pace.
You’ll have time when you first come into the grotto to get settled with your little ones, and get a few photos before Father Christmas comes in. And when he does make his appearance, you’ll be nearby to help them feel settled. Nine times out of ten, they’ll warmed up to Father Christmas enough to get some cute photos, and if they don’t, you won’t walk away empty handed.
What happens if my child cries or doesn’t want a photo?
That’s normal – babies nap, toddlers wriggle, older ones get silly. We bring the patience while your kids bring the chaos. We’ll gently guide everyone and go with the flow of your kids, capturing real moments along the way. We’ve got 25 minutes and no one queuing impatiently behind you, so there’s no pressure for anyone to perform. Whether they’re giggling with Father Christmas or snuggled up with you, you’ll still get photos you’ll love.
What should we wear?
This does depend a little on the set each year, but you can’t go wrong with your best festive outfits – whether that’s Christmas jumpers, pyjamas, or something a little smarter. If you’d prefer a timeless look for your photos, classic neutral or coordinated outfits always work beautifully. The main thing is that your children feel comfortable and can enjoy the experience.
Will you have the same Father Christmas?
Our Father Christmas is amazing isn’t he? He can’t wait to join us again in 2026, but of course circumstances can change. Rest assured I won’t settle for anyone who doesn’t fit the bill as the real Father Christmas.
Booking, Changes & Policies
Can I change my appointment date or time?
All bookings are final because spaces are very limited. I can’t guarantee changes, but if something comes up, please get in touch straight away and I’ll do my best to help if there’s another gap available.
What’s your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
I know family life can be unpredictable, especially with little ones. If something comes up, please let me know as soon as possible.
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Tickets are non-refundable (as spaces are very limited), but I’ll always do my best to move you into another gap if one is available.
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If your child is unwell, I’ll happily try to reschedule you, and if that’s not possible I can credit your booking towards next year’s grotto.
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No-shows: if you don’t let me know in advance and simply don’t turn up, sadly the session will be lost.
Ready to book?
Not quite ready?
Join the waitlist for this magical, stress-free experience
This year’s event is now sold out. Fill out your details below to join the waiting list.
Limited slots available – secure your family’s magical Christmas memory today.