centre:MK shopping centre in Milton Keynes hosts the UK’s ‘biggest’ indoor Christmas grotto, featuring Santa visits, Peter Rabbit characters, festive rides and magical light displays for families
There’s something rather apt about Milton Keynes, the host of the UK’s ‘largest’ indoor Christmas grotto.
The new town – officially recognised as a city from 2022 – has its fair share of critics, but the reality of MK is that it’s not all as it seems. What initially strikes you as a concrete jungle upon arrival in Central Milton Keynes is actually a lush, vibrant and expansive city teeming with vast green spaces and waterways.
So, those visiting the city’s premier shopping centre – centre:MK, once the longest undercover mall in Europe – might find the location of the Christmas grotto a bit peculiar. But we locals know the real deal – and it’s enchanting.
A visit to the grotto is an absolute must for our little clan. It’s my three-year-old’s third visit, while our youngest is experiencing Christmas for the first time.
He was understandably puzzled by the parade that marches through centre:MK to officially usher in the festive season. But his older brother particularly loved the ‘big people’ – elves on stilts – that accompanied Santa’s sleigh.
This visit was also our eldest’s inaugural encounter with Santa in a grotto setting. And it’s safe to say, he was absolutely thrilled.
Middleton Hall – a spacious, typically open area within the centre – often undergoes transformations depending on the season. In the summer, it morphs into a beachside retreat, for instance.
But come the festive season, it truly comes to life. This year, it has been reimagined as ‘Starlight Square’, where festive sights and sounds can be enjoyed free of charge until January.
There are numerous standalone light displays to marvel at, including a massive mushroom you can stroll through, a charming water fountain with a pair of singing reindeer my son is obsessed with every year, and more Christmas trees than you could possibly count. The centre’s glass walls create an illusion of infinite lights, adding to the enchantment.
Then there are the rides – featuring a rather delightful little train that takes you around some of the illuminated installations. A nostalgic Victorian-style carousel, costing £3 per ride, is a lovely nod to the past, while a VR sleigh ride brings you right back to the present with plenty of family fun for £6 per person.
All these elements combined to create a special, unforgettable day for our family. My Christmas-obsessed toddler thoroughly enjoyed the train ride – which, at £2.50 per person, could have been a bit longer – and the helter skelter will be one to look forward to in the future at £2 per slide or £3 for two slides.
But there’s so much to see and savour while wandering around the lights that it makes it more than worthwhile. That was the recurring theme from our time at Starlight Square.
The main attraction, however, was Santa’s Grotto itself. We were greeted at the entrance by lively elves who really helped make the experience magical for the children.
After being ushered inside a quaint display home, we took our seats to hear tales of missing Christmas gifts from Peter Rabbit’s mother. Shortly afterwards, a secret passageway was unveiled – much to my son’s delight, as he crawled through with great enthusiasm.
Characters from Peter’s tales came alive alongside the elves as we crafted and decorated gingerbread biscuits to present to Santa. As that session concluded, we were graced with a visit from Peter Rabbit himself, who was a delight for all the excited children.
Then came the moment we’d all been eagerly anticipating. After strolling through a brightly illuminated corridor to heighten the suspense, we entered Santa’s Chamber and met Father Christmas himself.
A cosy living room setting greeted us, and Santa was warm and inviting – particularly towards our usually talkative son, who had momentarily become a bit bashful. Once he mustered the courage to wish Merry Christmas and thank Santa for a gift – I won’t ruin the surprise, but it was apt for our experience – we took a photo and headed back to Starlight Square.
Having attended this festive event every year since relocating to MK in 2018, I felt somewhat overqualified to critique it. So instead, I’ll let the sparkle in my son’s eyes narrate the tale.
Some of the prices are a tad high – a family of four would have to shell out £24 just for the virtual sleigh ride, which is hard to justify considering the often long queues. Meeting Santa would set the same family back at least £30, depending on the age of your youngest member.
But, without wanting to sound overly sentimental, it’s easy to be swept up in the festive spirit. Seeing the joy on your little ones’ faces as they explore this enchanting indoor wonderland is nearly priceless.