Visit Santa Claus in his winter wonderland grotto - 140m underground

The National Coal Mining Museum is offering children the chance to head 140m down the pit to visit his winter grotto.

The mine has been transformed into a winter wonderland with a specially decorated walkway. The experience is also open to under fives, meaning they can go down the mine for a limited time only.

The Overton museum is also hosting a range of other festive events throughout December.

Next weekend (December 3 and 4) there will be a craft and gift fair with more than 40 stalls and on December 5 and 7 visitors can try the Christmas wreath-making workshop and get into the festive mood with prosecco and canapes. On December 7, there will be Wacky Wednesday Christmas special for under fives, with craft making and storytelling, plus a performance from the Hey Diddles. Visitors will be asked to help Maurice the Miner decorate the tree.

On December 10, the new Christmas wishes workshop will offer families a chance to make decorations and write wishes for the museum’s Christmas tree.

There will be a Festive Brass @ Pit evening with Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band on December 12 and Christmas Flower Arranging workshops on December 22 and 23.

The museum will also be hosting its Christmas lunches and party nights.

The Santa experience costs £6.50 including a gift for children and £5 for adults. Booking is essential. For information, times and prices for the other events, visit www.ncm.org.uk or call 01924 848806.