Everybody is excited by the arrival of Santa Claus over Christmas and there are plenty of places to catch St Nicholas in Nottinghamshire over the festive season. Head on out to attractions and shopping centres during December to get up close and personal with Father Christmas. Here's hoping you've been good...

See Santa in Nottingham

You'll find Santa's Grotto on the upper level of the Victoria Shopping Centre.

Santa will also be available in a Grotto at The Broadmarsh Centre in Nottingham. This year he's set to have an exclusive 4D grotto and arrives by real Reindeer on Saturday 10 November from 12.30pm.

Santa at Attractions

One of the best places to see Santa in Nottinghamshire is at Rufford Abbey. He'll be around at weekends from 10 November to 23 December between 11am and 4pm. Price is £5 per child with accompanying adults £2.

While you're there take a walk around the lake and maybe pick up a mince pie at the coach house cafe or a Christmas lunch at the Savile Restaurant.

You can also find Santa at Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve at weekends between 24 November and 16 December from 11am to 4pm. Price is also £5 per child so go and tell him what is on your list and make a special Christmas wish.

Download the Rufford and Sherwood flyer.

Santa will also be arriving at Clumber Park as part of the Christmas at Clumber festivities. Please contact the National Trust for further information on (01909) 544917, this is certain to be a very good offering of events that also includes children's activities, seasonal food fair and gift markets.

Santa's Grottos in Market Towns

There will be a Santa's Grotto at Mansfield's Four Seasons Shopping Centre from the Christmas Lights switch on on 18 November, every day until Christmas Eve, when I'm sure we'll all agree that Santa suddenly has lots of things to do.