Santa’s Grotto tickets at St Michael’s Hospice to go on sale

Parents will soon be able to book their children in to see Santa as tickets for a popular Herefordshire Grotto go on sale.

Places at the St Michael’s Hospice Grotto sold out within 48 hours last year, with more than 700 children meeting Father Christmas.
This year, there are 11 dates to meet Santa from Saturday 3rd December to Saturday 17th December, and organisers are expecting demand for places to be just as high.

“Last year, we received incredible support for our Grotto from the local community,” said the Hospice’s Events & Community Fundraising Manager, Matt Ashcroft.

“We’re excited to announce its return this year. Those attending are in for a real treat as you’ll be able to enjoy our wonderful festive lights, as well as meeting Santa himself.

“To avoid missing out this Christmas, our advice is to book your slot as soon as tickets go on sale.”

This year’s Grotto will feature a magical light trail, a visit to the Reindeer stables and a Naughty Elf garden, plus a short return ride on the St Michael’s Express, plus many other attractions. The Grotto will be jointly sponsored by Stooke Hill and Walshe, and the Gateway Nursery in Bartestree.

“We are so pleased to be able to support St Michael’s Hospice by co-sponsoring their Santa’s Grotto event this year,” said Tony Larkin, a Trustee at Gateway. 

“St Michael’s is such an amazing place and provides so many vital services to so many people. As a charity ourselves, we want to support our local community in Bartestree and Lugwardine and the wider communities across Herefordshire too in whatever way we can, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with St Michael’s in the future.”

Stooke Hill and Walshe has a personal connection to St Michael’s through its Managing Director, Alister Walshe, who is a Life Patron and former Chair of Trustees.

“All the team at Stooke Hill and Walshe are proud to be supporting and co-sponsoring this year’s Christmas grotto,” the company said in a statement. 
“We can’t wait to visit the reindeer stables, see the naughty elves, visit the magical light trail, and meet Santa himself; we hope to see you there too.”

Grotto places will go on sale at 11am on Monday 24th October via the St Michael’s Hospice website, and are expected to sell out quickly.