Experience the Magic of Christmas in the Water Garden
Step into a quiet winter wonderland this December at Longstock Park Water Garden. Wrap up warm and take a walk through the crisp winter foliage, soak up the magic of the garden in winter and enjoy the festive sounds of KV Brass Band, who will be performing seasonal tunes across three live sets between 11:30am and 2:00pm.
Father Christmas will be taking residence inside our garden summer house, ready to meet children for their own personal visit. Follow the festive directional signs leading through the garden paths, stop by our dedicated letter writing station and write your very own personal letter to Father Christmas, and exchange your special token for a gift straight from Santa.
Event Timings & Santa Visit Bookings
Garden Open: 10:00am – 3:00pm (Last entry 2:15pm).
Father Christmas Half-Hour Arrival Windows:
Morning Sessions: 10:30am – 11:00am | 11:00am – 11:30am | 11:30am – 12:00pm | 12:00pm – 12:30pm
Break: 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Afternoon Sessions: 1:00pm – 1:30pm | 1:30pm – 2:00pm | 2:00pm – 2:30pm | 2:30pm – 3:00pm
Individual Visits: Each child receives a dedicated 10-minute visit within their booked half-hour arrival window.
Live Brass Band Performances: KV Brass Band will play three festive 30-minute performances between 11:30am and 2:00pm.
Admission & Booking Details
Advance online booking is essential for all visits to Father Christmas to ensure a relaxed, magical experience. To reserve your Father Christmas time slot use the Book Now link above.
| TICKET TYPE | PRICE | DETAILS |
| Child Visiting Father Christmas | £10.00 |
Includes full garden admission, 10-minute visit with Santa in the summer house and a gift (Maximum age: 10 years old) |
|
Adult Admission |
£5.00 | Standard admission to explore the winter Water Garden and enjoy live musical performances |
| Child Garden Entry (Aged 6–16) |
£5.00 |
General garden entry for children not visiting Father Christmas |
| Children Aged 5 & Under (Garden Only) | FREE |
General garden entry only (excludes Santa visit and gift)
|
Please Note for Your Visit:
For visitor safety during the winter months, access is open to approximately three-quarters of the Water Garden, with a small number of outer islands temporarily closed. Sturdy outdoor footwear and warm layers are strongly recommended.
Make a Festive Day of It Across The Leckford Estate
Make the most of your family day out at Leckford Estate in the Test Valley:
Longstock Park Farm Shop: Discover local Hampshire produce and gifts, including products from our own Farm, festive pantry treats and Leckford Estate English Sparkling Wine.
Longstock Park Café: Warm up with hot chocolate, coffee, a variety of teas and seasonal cakes and savoury lunches.
Longstock Park Nursery: Select your British-grown real cut Nordmann Fir or potted Christmas tree to take home.
Q: Do I need to book tickets in advance to see Santa at Longstock Park Water Garden?
A: Yes. Advance online booking is required for Santa visits. Visitors book half-hour arrival windows, with a dedicated 10-minute visit allocated per child within that time. General garden entry tickets can also be booked ahead of your visit.
Q: How much are tickets to visit Father Christmas at Longstock Park Water Garden?
A: Child tickets to visit Father Christmas are £10.00 (includes garden admission, a 10-minute visit with Santa in the summer house and a gift). Adult admission is £5.00, children aged 6–16 exploring the garden without seeing Santa are £5.00 and children aged 5 and under entering the garden only are free.
Q: What entertainment and activities are planned during the event?
A: Visitors can enjoy three live festive musical performances by the KV Brass Band between 11:30am and 2:00pm, write a letter to Father Christmas at our children's letter-writing station and explore approximately three-quarters of the winter Water Garden.
Q: What other activities can I enjoy on the Leckford Estate when visiting the Water Garden?
A: Complete your visit by exploring our estate retail areas: browse festive tree and home decorations in the Nursery Garden Shop, discover local Hampshire produce, cheeses and gifts in the Farm Shop, enjoy lunches and seasonal warmers in the Café, or select your real Christmas tree from the dedicated tree hub in the walled Nursery.
