SANTA and his elves are joining the Canal & River Trust to give families some festive fun in December.

The Santa boat cruises will take place at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, and the Anderton Boat Lift in Northwich.

On all four December weekends leading up to Christmas, the Trust will be decking the halls with holly for a fabulous trip to Santa’s grotto.

At the National Waterways Museum, the Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust will be running regular festive boat cruises along the Shropshire Union Canal.

Families are promised "an exciting, fun-packed 45-minute trip, full of carols, games, stories and a treasure trail to help track down Santa’s missing presents" before children are shown into Santa’s magical grotto to share their Christmas wishes and choose a present to take home.

The full experience costs £11.50 or for £8, children can enjoy the Santa’s Grotto Experience only.

Chester and District Standard: Santa and his elves are coming to Ellesmere PortSanta and his elves are coming to Ellesmere Port (Image: Canal & River Trust)

Tickets also include access to the waterways museum, historic boats, cafe and playground for the day.

Families get a 'magical experience'

Ani Sutton, Canal & River Trust destination and attraction manager, said: "Christmas is a special time at both our wonderful heritage museum and boat lift visitor centre.

"Our brilliant team of elves really go to town with the festivities, giving families a magical experience and a perfect start to the Christmas celebrations.

"At Anderton Boat Lift, there has been a special pre-Christmas gift for all of us with the competition of the Soot Hill roadworks and the re-opening of the road which connects the lift attraction site to Northwich Town Centre. This will make the journey to visit the Boat Lift Visitor Centre massively easier for local families. It’s great to have this important route restored in time for the start of the popular Santa Cruise season."

To book tickets for the Ellesmere Port National Waterways Museum Festive Boat Trip and Santa’s Grotto Experience, please go to https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals/2023-12-02-national-waterways-museum-festive-boat-trip-and-santas-grotto-experience.

To reserve a seat on the Santa Cruise at the Anderton Boat Lift visitor centre, near Northwich, please follow the link: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/events/canal-events-canal-festivals/2023-12-02-santa-cruise.