visit santa east kilbride

Meet Santa at Calderglen from 2nd to 24th December

Sat dec 02 2023 at 12:00 pm, calderglen zoo & country park | east kilbride.

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Calderglen Zoo & Country Park, Strathaven Rd,East Kilbride, United Kingdom

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A cracking Christmas in store as Santa returns to EK, East Kilbride

Santa is polishing his boots and trimming his beard in preparation for his arrival on December 4

• 08:50, 20 NOV 2021

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EK, East Kilbride will be shining bright this festive season with glittering decorations, festive competitions and the very welcome return of Santa and his elves ensuring a cracking Christmas atmosphere.

With the centre’s Christmas tree sparkling in Centre West and a whole host of festive decorations lighting up the malls, shoppers are already getting in the mood for Christmas, while Santa is polishing his boots and trimming his beard in preparation for his arrival at EK on December 4.

Although there won’t be a parade in the centre this year, Santa and his elves will be welcoming all the good boys and girls of EK to his grotto in Centre West for a selfie every weekend in December and in the run up to the big day from December 22 to 24..

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There will be no charge for a Santa selfie but visitors are encouraged to make a donation to EK charity Kilbryde Hospice at the grotto.

Younger visitors can also look forward to some fab festive arts and crafts sessions in the centre on the three weekends before Christmas, while EK, East Kilbride will be teaming up with The Entertainer toy shop to give two lucky youngsters the chance to win an exclusive after-hours session to test this year’s top toys.

Keep an eye on EK’S Facebook page for more details of this and another very special competition to win a VIP meet with Santa when he arrives in EK.

Claire-Louise Cavin from EK, East Kilbride, said: “Following the challenges facing the EK community last Christmas we wanted to push the boat out this year to help bring a very special festive smile to everyone visiting EK, East Kilbride.

"We have a whole host of celebrations and competitions planned, and we are all delighted that Santa will be joining us in the centre over the festive season.”

In addition to the Kilbryde Hospice donations at the grotto, EK, East Kilbride will also be working closely with EK charity Share Alike and a number of other EK organisations to support the Christmas Kindness campaign.

To find out more about the campaign, which will ensure the most vulnerable members of the community receive a gift this Christmas, visit the East Kilbride Christmas Kindness Facebook page.

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Top Things to Do in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire - East Kilbride Must-See Attractions

Things to do in east kilbride, tours near east kilbride.

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Top attractions in east kilbride.

Other Top Attractions around East Kilbride

What travellers are saying

• Calderglen Country Park
• National Museum of Rural Life
• James Hamilton Heritage Park
• East Kilbride Village Theatre
• Langlands Moss
• Happy days soft play
• Auldhouse Arms
• Lollipop Land

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Availability Search for  Calderglen Country Park & Visitor Centre

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Calderglen Country Park & Visitor Centre

Calderglen Country Park hosts an array of visitor attractions including a children’s zoo and tropical conservatory, gift shop, ornamental gardens, nature trails, play park, café, exhibition gallery and an 18-hole golf course.

Calderglen Country Park hosts an array of visitor attractions including a children’s zoo and tropical conservatory, gift shop, ornamental gardens, nature trails, play park, café, exhibition gallery and an 18-hole golf course. 

The park runs alongside a scenic wooded glen, forged by the Rotten Calder River, a tributary of the River Clyde. The glen, which extends over 5km, has many waterfalls and other geological features and a popular spot for birdwatching. The northern section of the park is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). 

Calderglen Zoo opened in 1982 and is still home to over fifty different animal species, some of which are unfortunately critically endangered. The zoo is just around an acre in size, but here you will still be able to see meerkats, wallabies, coatis, otters and more charismatic creatures.

The park also has over eight miles of scenic nature trails, which both nature lovers and ramblers alike will enjoy. There is a café on site offering hot and cold beverages as well as hot and chilled food, but there are also picnic tables around the park, if dining al fresco with a packed lunch is something you prefer to do.

Entry to the park is clearly signposted and found on Strathaven Road (A726), approximately 2km from East Kilbride town centre. 

Transport and Parking

• Coach Parking

Accessibility

• Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
• Large print, braille or audio
• Ramp to main entrance
• Level Access
• Wheelchairs or mobility aids provided
• Partially suitable for visitors with limited mobility
• Access guide
• Outdoor Play Area
• Baby Changing Facilities
• Public Toilet Facilities
• Lunch Available
• Picnic Area
• Cafe or Restaurant

Payment Methods

• Credit Card
• Town Location

Related items of interest

• Chatelherault
• Low Parks Museum
• Chatelherault Country Park

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What's Nearby

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• Towns & villages

East Kilbride

East Kilbride is South Lanarkshire's largest town and has Scotland's largest undercover shopping centre. To experience what it is really like on a farm and the rural way of life, you must visit the National Museum of Rural Life based in Kittochside in East Kilbride. Especially on an event day such as the Heavy Horse Show or the Christmas foal show where the surrounding farmland and museum come alive.

Try your hand at water sports in the James Hamilton Heritage Park. With two adventure playgrounds and a popular fleet of fun boats. The park also offers ornithologists some excellent bird-watching opportunities from the bird sanctuary.

If cobbled streets and village charm are more your style you should head for East Kilbride Village where you'll find speciality shops, the beautiful 18th-century parish church and cobbled streets.

Kilbride, as it was originally called, dates back to the first millennium, verified by archaeological finds of ancient graves in the area and also the uncovering of Roman coins and other artefacts. The name is derived from the founding of a monastery for both nuns and monks by St Bride, or Brigit, in Kildare, Ireland in the sixth century AD. The monks later arrived in Scotland to spread the word of their God. Kil is the Gaelic for "church", making Kilbride "church of St Bride".

The first written parish records appear in the 12th century, during the reign of William the Lion, the Scottish King responsible for setting up the Auld Alliance with France in 1165. William gifted the lands to the Anglo-Norman knight, Roger de Valoins, who became the Lord of the Manor and lived close to the site of Mains Castle.

The lands of Kilbride passed through the hands of many important and powerful families, most notably the Comyns. In the 14th century John 'the Red Comyn', a claimant to the Scottish throne, sided with William Wallace in fighting for independence from England, although he was often at odds with Robert the Bruce. After the death of Wallace, the Red Comyn and Robert the Bruce appeared to be moving towards an alliance but when they met at Dumfries Abbey in 1306, the Bruce murdered Comyn and stripped the family of all their titles and land. He was crowned Robert I at Scone a month later. The Bruce gave Kilbride as a dowry to his daughter Marjorie when she married Walter the Steward, establishing the mighty Stuart dynasty of Scottish and English kings. Walter later handed over the Barony of Kilbride to the Lindsay family from Renfrewshire, but their line died out in poverty during the 17th century.

The 16th and 17th centuries saw the growth of the Covenanters, Scottish Presbyterians who bound themselves by a series of solemn oaths or covenants to maintain Presbyterianism as the sole religion of their nation. Over a period of 50 years throughout the reigns of Charles I, Charles II and James II they struggled against the Crown to preserve their religion. The struggle often erupted into armed conflict, the most famous being the Battle of Drumclog and the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679. After their defeat at Bothwell, commander of the Covenanter army, James Reid, charged the King's army alone and snatched the Kilbryd (as it was then spelt) Standard and escaped back through enemy lines. The faded yellow flag, with the red letters "Kilbryd, for God, King and Covenants" is now in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, which is currently closed for refurbishment.

In the early part of the 18th century, Kilbride added the East prefix to distinguish itself from Kilbride in Ayrshire which added "West" to its name. East Kilbride was also given the status of burgh of barony, allowing it to hold weekly markets and four annual fairs. The famous Open Cattle Show Society was formed in 1772 which, by the late 1940s, was the largest one-day cattle show in Scotland, taking place in the Show Park, which is still there today, owned by the farming community but also home to junior league football club, East Kilbride Thistle.

In 1774 the parish church, now the Old Parish Church, was built in what is now referred to as the Village. This ancient hub, now surrounded by the New Town still retains many features from this period including the Montgomerie Arms, an ancient coaching inn with its Loupin Stane or mounting block for patrons to mount and dismount their horse or carriage.

The oldest building in East Kilbride, just off Avondale Avenue, dates from 1640. Now called Rose Mound, it was home to the famous Scots playwright James Bridie before he went to live a secluded life on the Isle of Bute. The poet, writer and historian John Struthers was born in a cottage on the grounds of Long Calderwood in 1776 and another famous writer to have visited East Kilbride was George Orwell. He was a tuberculosis patient at Hairmyres Hospital from 1946 until 1948 and while there he wrote part of his novel 1984.

The anatomists and surgeons William and John Hunter were born at Long Calderwood Farm. The Hunterian Museum at Glasgow University is named after William, who bequeathed his collection of books, coins and paintings to the university. William pioneered obstetrics while John revolutionised 18th-century dentistry giving it a scientific basis for the first time. He was also appointed surgeon to George III and Surgeon-General to the British Army.

Images from  East Kilbride

Things to Do in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire - East Kilbride Attractions

Things to do in east kilbride, tours near east kilbride.

Oban, Glencoe, Highlands Lochs & Castles Small Group Day Tour from Glasgow

Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Cruise Day Tour from Glasgow

Private Tour of Highlands, Oban, Glencoe, Lochs & Castles from Glasgow

Standing Stones, Inveraray and Kilchurn Castles & Highland Tour starting Glasgow

Glasgow Walking Food Tour with EatWalk Tours

Loch Ness & the Highlands Day Tour from Glasgow Including Cruise

Glasgow (Greenock) Shore Excursion: Stirling, Loch Lomond & The Highlands

City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Highlands Day Trip from Glasgow

Glasgow City Centre Daily Walking Tour: 10:30am, 2pm & 5pm

Top attractions in east kilbride.

Other Top Attractions around East Kilbride

What travelers are saying

• Calderglen Country Park
• National Museum of Rural Life
• James Hamilton Heritage Park
• East Kilbride Village Theatre
• Langlands Moss
• Happy days soft play
• Auldhouse Arms
• Lollipop Land

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National Museum of Rural Life

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Explore life in the countryside at our five-star museum, farmhouse and historic working farm

Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR Tel: 0300 123 6789

Annual Pass*

Adult £10 Over 65s £9 Student, Young Scot, Disabled, Unemployed** £8 Child 5-15 £7 Under 5s Free †

National Museums Scotland Members Free † National Trust for Scotland Members Free †

15% off when you book as a family***

*Tickets are valid for unlimited visits for 12 months from the date of purchase (additional charge for some events). Find out more about Terms and conditions apply for Annual Pass

†Additional charge for some events. **Valid ID required. Carers of diabled people free. ***15% off when you buy up to three Child 5–15 tickets alongside up to any two Adult or Concession tickets, with a maximum of five tickets in total. Cannot be used in conjunction with Member tickets or any other discount or offer.

Discounts available for group bookings.

School visits are free; some workshop charges apply. 

Opening times

Museum open Open daily, 10:00 - 17:00

Events highlights

Tractor Tots

15 Apr - 3 May 2024

Spring Explorers

8 Apr - 11 Apr 2024

Play park and picnic area

Test your skills in our ever-popular play park, including a new musical arbour, basket swing and magnifying posts to help you get closer to nature. With picnic tables and plenty of wide-open space, our play and picnic area is the perfect place to take a break during your visit.

Farm Explorer

Take a ride on our Farm Explorer tractor-trailer and travel to our working farm in style, enjoying the sights as you go.  Farm Explorer tractor-trailer ride tickets are available at the museum ticket desk. Tickets are on a first-come first-served basis with limited availability each day. From Friday 29 March the last tractor to the farm departs at 16:00, and the Farmhouse closes at 16:30.

Willow Sculpture Trail

Inspired by the wildlife often spotted around the museum site and the animal residents at our farm, willow artist Anna Cross has created a beautiful collection of willow sculptures for you to discover as you explore outdoors.

As a charity, we rely on your donations to care for our animals and our special landscape. Please donate today to support our work. Thank you.

Plan a schools visit

You can book to visit the museum free of charge with your pupils. The farm, agriculture, traditional farming, food chains, rural life and Scottish History – whatever your topic, come on a visit to find out more.

Plan your visit to the National Museum of Rural Life with our map to view online or print at home.

Explore more

We take pride in maintaining the highest standards to make your visit as rewarding as possible.

Bring your dog to Dobbies for a PAWsitively magical experience with Santa

Dobbies is announcing the return of its hugely popular santa paws experience, designed for dog lovers across the country where cherished pets can meet santa claus at his grotto..

Article Source: Dobbies Last Updated: 7 November 2023 10:42

This paw-sitively special festive experience gives pup parents the chance to head along to their nearest store and see Santa. Dogs in attendance will get to meet Mr Claus and take a photo, before receiving a special pet-friendly toy to take home and open on Christmas Day. There’s also the chance to have a professional photo taken at 52 participating mainline stores. Four little dobbies will be hosting Santa Paws, giving city dwellers a chance to whisk their dogs away for a magical encounter with Santa and his jolly elves, in Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Richmond and Clifton. Santa Paws will be taking place from Saturday 2 until Saturday 23 December on selected days and is priced at £6.99 per dog. Attendees can save money by pre-booking photography. If families want to get everyone involved, the Santa’s Grotto experience can be booked for kids, priced at £11.99 per child, with the opportunity to select a toy for the child. Sarah Murray, who leads Dobbies’ festive events plans, said: “We absolutely love making amazing experiences, and Santa Paws really shows how dedicated we are to that. It’s an occasion to celebrate the joy our pets bring into our lives, and a chance for dog owners and families to create cherished Christmas memories together. “We look forward to sharing the magic of Christmas as families come along to Santa Paws.” Customers are encouraged to book in advance to avoid disappointment. To find out more about timings and bookings, visit dobbies.com/events . There’s the opportunity to make a donation to Teenage Cancer Trust during the booking process. Image Credit: Stewart Attwood

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