Festive Boat Trips & Santa’s Grotto Experience

Meet Santa in his grotto, with an option to add a festive boat trip and elf-led activities.

The museum presents one festive Santa experience with two ticket options. The grotto-only option books a 10-minute visit within windows of 10:00–10:30, 11:00–11:30, 12:00–12:30, 14:00–14:30 or 15:00–15:30; Select a 10-minute appointment when booking. It costs £8.50 per child, including babies, and includes up to two accompanying adults free. The boat-plus-grotto option departs at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00 or 15:00. On the boat trip, Santa’s elf leads a towpath treasure hunt, games, a Christmas quiz and singing before visitors meet Santa in the grotto. This option is £12.50 per passenger, adult or child including babies, with no discounts; children must be accompanied. Both ticket options include all-day museum entry. The boat has 12 seats, no wheelchair access, is weather-dependent and permits medical assistance dogs only. Published dates are 5–6, 12–13 and 19–24 December 2026. No overall event hours or boat-trip end time are stated.