Much more than a grotto: Festive fun in the Midlands and Shropshire

But some of the most famous landmarks in the West Midlands are offering festive experiences with a difference.

From the Black Country Living Museum to Warwick Castle, major attractions are offering more than a quick meeting with Santa.

See below for details on individual venues

Instead bosses have spent months planning events that put a festive spin on the days out that are enjoyed by thousands of families throughout the year.

Severn Valley Railway's annual Santa Specials are always a popular treat – and not just for railway aficionados. The steam engines will carry passengers on their way through the countryside to a magical meeting with Santa.

And it seems demand is higher than ever as families rush to snap up tickets.

See also:

Top Santa's grottos in the West Midlands and Shropshire

Top festive attractions in the West Midlands and Shropshire

Late night Christmas shopping guide for Midlands and Shropshire

Railway spokesman Clare Gibbard said:"Our Santa Steam Specials and Santa Heralds are our most popular services, and though they always do sell out, I don't think we have ever seen so many bookings come flooding in so early."

"It seems that people really are getting into the festive spirit early this year, and we would urge anyone else who is planning to book a place to do so quickly to avoid disappointment."

And 4x4s and the festive season don't seem like the most obvious match.

But at Hawkstone Park Hotel a trip through woods in a Land Rover is a standard precursor to meeting Father Christmas.

Its Santa Safari attracts families who want a revved up time before meeting the big man in red.

One of the most loved attractions in the region, Dudley's Black Country Living Museum, also has an off-kilter festive offering.

The ever popular Santa Hunts will be led by guides wearing period festive costumes and are also a history lesson all by themselves.

Visitors to Drayton Manor Park near Tamworth can get into the Christmas spirit while enjoying rollercoaster rides with Drayton's Magical Christmas having activities to keep people of all ages entertained.

A 4D Polar Express is one of the highlights, while visitors can also see reindeers and more at the park's 15-acre zoo, and enjoy some of its famous rides.

Stunning steam engines will transport visitors to Father Christmas's grotto in Dudley as part of Dudley and Canal Tunnel Trust's Santa Boat Trips.

The floating festivities will take visitors to Santa's special grotto in Dudley.

And it has become an established part of the festivities by now, but the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham city centre combines a festive day out with a spot of Christmas shopping.

Drayton Manor:

Drayton Manor may be best known for its high-octane rides, Thomas Land and the zoo.

But this Christmas it is being transformed into a festive wonderland. for all the family to enjoy.

Drayton's Magical Christmas has attractions that will keep people of all ages entertained.

Parents can recapture their inner child as they take their youngsters to meet Father Christmas in the Castle of Dreams, experience the Polar Express in 4D and say hello to Rudolf, Dasher and the rest of the reindeers in the 15-acre zoo.

Events take place from December 4 to 8, then from December 11 to 14, 17 to 23 and 27 to 31.

Gates open at 9.45am, while selected rides will be open at 10.30am and close at 5pm weekdays and 6pm weekends and on December 18 to 23.

Other offerings at the park include festive activities, decorations and music, with more than 25 rides and attractions in Thomas Land running.

A giant Christmas tree light show will take place throughout the day and there will be a dazzling fireworks show to finish – and guaranteed snow fall three times a day.

A festive parade will be taking place daily and there will be an ice-skating rink next to the Maelstrom ride in the park. For just £2 each, children and adults can take to the rink and show off their Torvill and Dean skills.

For further details about activities on offer at the park, or to book call 0844 472 1950.

Severn Valley Railway:

Historic engines churning out steam in the cold winter air, taking excited families on a journey through the countryside to meet Santa – the Severn Valley Railway's annual festive celebrations are more popular than ever.

More than 31,000 tickets for the 95 Santa Steam Special and Santa Herald services, which went on sale mid-September, have been sold, and the remaining seats, fewer than 2,000, are expected to be snapped up in the coming days. Seats on the railway's Christmas carol trains evening services have also sold out.

The Santa Steam Specials have so far taken more than 16,000 visitors on a magically festive steam train trip from Kidderminster to Santa's grotto at Arley station. They are running tomorrow and Sunday, on December 19 and 20 and on Christmas Eve. Trains depart from Kidderminster at 9.45am, 10.15am, 10.45am, 11.15am, 11.45am, 12.15pm, 12,45pm, 1.15pm, 2.00pm, 2.30pm, 3.00pm, 3.30pm 4.00pm.

Railway spokesman Clare Gibbard said: "We are amazed at how quickly the tickets have sold after just two weeks of them going on sale.

"We had already sold a third of the allocated places and now we are nearly at full capacity, though there are currently spaces remaining on our Christmas Eve trains which are ideal for people looking for a special way to celebrate the build-up to the big day."

It has been a special year for the railway with a packed programme of events and a new 1960s themed weekend to coincide with the 50th anniversary in July.

Blists Hill:

Modern Christmas may be dominated by technology, but the Victorian festive season lives on at Blists Hill in Ironbridge.

Featuring a selection of events, including traditional Punch & Judy shows, horse and carriage rides and even a Victorian school lesson, visitors can enjoy a 19th century Christmas.

Wandering around the town, they will experience the atmosphere of a bygone era and be treated to an array of traditional celebrations.

In the cosy cottage families can listen to stories of life more than 100 years ago, and enjoy seasonal music from bands and choirs alongside festive entertainment from our group of actors.

And there will be a chance to buy some presents in the town's shops.

At no extra cost, young visitors can also try their hand at a range of traditional activities, including Christmas card printing, making paper-chain decorations, writing letters to Father Christmas and also fun quizzes.

See also: Toast to Christmas past - Our Kirsty takes a trip to Blists Hill

Christmas events at Blists Hill will run from 10am until 4pm tomorrow and Sunday.

Tickets cost £15.40 for adults, £12.25 for people aged 60 plus.

Entry for £10.45 is and the cost of a family ticket – two adults and two children – is £50.

For further information on the range of Christmas activities avaialbe over the festive period, visit www.ironbridge.org.uk

West Park:

The Winter Wonderland in Wolverhampton's West Park features seasonal stalls, a roller skating rink and a marquee with a walk-through Frozen experience.

It has been thought up by Wolverhampton Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, who has teamed up with the Harry Jones Fun Fair to stage the event in the city park.

Santa will be arriving with along with costumed characters each night, while there will also be a choir performing seasonal songs, snow machines and the trees lit up will also add to the festive feel.

Winter Wonderland opens on Wednesday and will run from 5pm to 9pm until to Friday, then from noon until 9pm on December 19 until December 23. It will be closed onChristmas Eve and Christmas Day but on Boxing Day and the Sunday it will open again from noon to 9pm.

Entry is £2 for adults and £5 for children to include a gift from Santa, a Christmas hat and mince pie. A family ticket is £12 which admits two adults and two children.

Meanwhile, 20,000 leaflets are being sent out to schools with £1 off vouchers.

The event is the latest boost to the city which will also be seeing a new Wolverhampton Festival next year.

It will also be held at West Park and is also being organised by Councillor Gwinnett who said it is in answer to the annual City Show becoming 'a bit of a disaster'.

Dudley Canal Trust:

The popular Santa's grotto has returned to Dudley Canal Tunnel and Limestone Mines.

Visitors will be treated to the pantomime, Red Riding Hood and will get the opportunity to meet Santa and receive a present in his illuminated underground grotto. Santa boat trips will be running on certain days throughout December, between 10am and 5pm.

Nick Morris, Chief Executive at Dudley Canal Trust Trips Ltd, said: "Our hugely popular Santa boat trips are a magical experience like no other, our elves have been very busy wrapping thousands of presents."

The Trust's Santa trips are now into their 30th year and always receive fantastic reviews from visitors. This year NCS The Challenge have added to the festive decorations, working with our events team to make props for Santa's grotto.

The trips will depart from the Trust's new Portal building which houses an interactive exhibition, a function and community learning space and a new licenced restaurant.

The Santa boat trips last about an hour and tickets are priced at £10.80 for both children and adults. All children receive a present.

They take place on December 16, 18, 21 and 22.

Visitors are also welcome to book a meal at Gongoozlers for either before or after their Santa boat trip if they wish to extend their visit. For availability and booking please visit the Trust's website www.dudleycanaltrust.org.uk or call on 0121 557 6265.

Black Country Living Museum:

Families will be led on a trail around the sprawling site of the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley for the popular Santa Hunts.

They will be joined by guides wearing period festive costumes, taking them on a journey that will also teach them about the history of the region along the way.

Meeting a series of characters as they go, children can solve magical clues, sprinkle dust on reindeer shoes and even send letters up the chimney to Santa's workshop.

When Santa's hideout has been found, he will have a gift ready as a reward.

They take place on December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 24.

All hunts have now sold out.

The museum is also staging traditional Christmas evenings tonight and tomorrow, where visitors could stroll through the gas-lit streets of festively decorated shops and homes and immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas past.

Families can chat with costumed characters and enjoy warm fires, traditional carol-singing, live brass bands, street theatre while stalls will sell traditional festive fare like smoked meat, real ales and roast chestnuts.

The evenings will also be held on December 18, 19 and 20 from 6.30pm to 10pm.

For more information on the Black Country Living Museum and its future attractions, visit them online at bclm.co.uk

Warwick Castle:

Stories from Santa, carols, and birds of prey displays – the historic Warwick Castle has a wide range of events during December.

The sprawling medieval site has been decked out for Christmas, with special events being held throughout December.

The Great Hall now houses a 20ft Christmas tree, while Santa will hold story sessions this weekend and then every day from December 19 to 24.

And the Winter Birds of Prey Show will focus on owls, with the birds taking to the skies for a spectacular display.

The festive magic also includes the castle's annual Carols at the Castle on December 19, where people of all ages join together to sing carols led by the choir of St Mary's and Royal Spa Brass.

Evening tours of the castle, costing £24, will also focus on Christmas celebrations of years gone by, while tickets are on sale for the New Year Ball.

And the Great Hall hosts a series of Christmas balls and medieval banquets on December 5, 10, 12, 19 and 22.

Day tickets start at £13 when booked five days in advance.

For more information on all future activities visit the castle website at www.warwick-castle.com

Hawkstone Park:

A trip on a Land Rover through woodlands is the not the typical build-up for a visit to Santa's grotto.

But the Santa Safari at Hawkstone Park Hotel has become popular among families looking for a different festive experience.

Visitors can take a trip in a Land Rover for the Santa Safari, where elves will entertain and explain the sites.

On the way they will visit the Wishing Arch and the steep hill before arriving the decorated series of caverns that is the entrance to Father Christmas's workshop.

Helpers will be on hand to walk them through the tunnels, where finally they'll be able to meet the man himself, who will be handing out gifts and chatting with guests.

The Santa Safari is available during the day and at night at the venue near Shrewsbury.

It offers the chance to see the natural beauty of the woods at different times of the day.

Tickets are £15.50 for adults and £8 for children.

For more information on the event visit www.hawkstoneparkfollies.co.uk/santa-safari

Cadbury World:

There's no doubt that chocolate is always a popular present at Christmas time. And you can indulge your sweet tooth with some tasty activities taking place

at Cadbury's chocolate factory this month.

Until December 23, visitors can explore 14 chocolate-filled zones that offer a whole host of seasonal activities for all the family at Bournville.

And a highlight is a huge chocolate Christmas tree covered in treats.

If you prefer more live entertainment, then whisk yourself away into the magical world of Sleeping Beauty during Cadbury World's exclusive pantomime, which is filled with its own chocolate surprises.

The play, which is now in its fourth year, runs until December 20 and is guaranteed to make visitors laugh with delight.

And a festive day out wouldn't be complete without seeing the jolly man himself. Now the star of his own stage show, the new Santa experience is packed full of festive fun and music the whole family can enjoy.

For further information about Cadbury World's events, visit www.cad buryworld.co.uk or call 08448807667.

Birches Valley:

It is one of the region's most famous beauty spots – and now Cannock Chase has become a major part of Christmas celebrations for families from across the West Midlands.

People can choose their own sustainably-grown tree at Birches Valley Forest Centre, near Rugeley, in its woodland setting.

Santa has also set up a grotto at the site and will be accompanied by reindeer.

Decorations, lights, tree stands, craft stalls and food are also available at the centre.

The grotto is open to the public until December 14. It costs £10 per child – and all children entering the grotto must be paid for regardless of age.

This includes reindeer viewing, a grotto experience, time with Santa, a tree sapling to grow at home and a gift.

However, due to exceptional demand for Father Christmas's grotto there will be a timed entry system in operation.

People are urged to buy their timed tickets as soon as they arrive on site to avoid disappointment.