A visit to Father Christmas is a must with young families, and although some sites have sold out of slots, there are still plenty of places across Kent to take the family. Check out our guide for where to visit near you:

BLUEWATER

Santa and his elves will be in The Village from Thursday, November 15 until Christmas Eve.

Bookings are open for the grotto and ice rink, which also opens on Thursday, November 15. Your festive journey to see Santa will begin with a traditional Christmas story presented in 4D, followed by crafts with Mrs Claus and then meeting Santa. For prices and sessions, click here.

BEDGEBURY PINETUM, GOUDHURST

Visitors to Christmas at Bedgebury this year will be greeted by the sights and sounds of Christmas, and get to see the site in a whole new light. Click here for more details.

BEWL WATER, LAMBERHURST

Festive fun in the secret woodland wonderland, fairground rides, ice skating, Christmas crafts and marshmallow toasting on a fire pit are a bonus to meeting the elves and time with Father Christmas at Bewl Water this year. Opening days are listed as all weekends in December. For all the details and to book go here.

HEVER CASTLE

Nothing says Christmas quite like a visit to find Father Christmas in the picturesque surroundings of Hever Castle.

Children will be enchanted by the magical Grotto where they will be greeted by Mother Christmas and taken by an elf through the snowy forest to meet Father Christmas in his log cabin.

The Grotto is open at weekends between Saturday, November 24 and Sunday, December 9 and then daily between December 12 and Christmas Eve. Booked appointments are now sold out but drop-in is still available. You'll need an entry ticket to Hever Castle and drop-in to see Father Christmas is £8. To find out more go here.

BROADDITCH FARM, SOUTHFLEET

A tractor sleigh will take families to find Farmer Christmas and his elves in a cabin in its enchanted wood this winter, where storytelling and gifts await.

Booking is essential. Go here to book.

HEMPSTEAD VALLEY, GILLINGHAM

The popular grotto opens at the centre on Saturday, November 17 at 2pm and is open until Christmas Eve. Tickets are £5 per child. You can pre-book from Thursday, November 1 at

hempsteadvalley.com though you don't have to book in advance, if you don't mind queuing on the day.

SANTA SPECIAL, KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY

From Victorian carousel rides at Tenterden Station to decorated steam trains the one hour and 10 minute return journey promises to be a magical experience.

Look out for elf helpers with sackfuls of presents, plus festive chocolates for teenage passengers and a little free gift for babies under 18 months. Standard tickets for a Santa Special begin at £19. First class seats are now sold out but there are still some tickets available. For details and bookings click here.

HOP FARM, PADDOCK WOOD

Tickets are available to see Santa in the Big Red Grotto, meet his helpers, enjoy storytelling, balloon models, Christmas tunes, crafts and to write a letter to Father Christmas to either post to the North Pole or hand to him personally and receive a free printed photograph for your group.

Tickets start at £18 for a child which includes up to two free adults per booking and a child under one. Grotto tickets also allow for free entry to the family park and indoor soft play centre.

To find out more go here.