FOR many young children grottos are part of the magic of Christmas.

But the only thing is once you have seen one, you sometimes feel like you have seen them all.

Not so with the Trafford Centre's winter woodland experience as Santa has teamed up with Peter Rabbit to create a grotto with a difference.

Beatrix Potter’s beloved character takes centre stage in an immersive and interactive range of activities that left our five-year-old Ethan spellbound.

Peter Rabbit's Christmas Grotto can be found outside the shopping centre's Great Hall, next to the big wheel, and is run by a team of performers who give it their all. 

Youngsters enter Peter's burrow in small groups with their parents and chat to the mischievous rabbit about everything from Christmas to vegetables before being spirited away to a whimsical world through a 'secret tunnel'.

En-route to seek out Santa, Ethan dared to enter Mr Tod's lair to hunt for ginger for Jemima Puddle-Duck's cookies before some gingerbread, that was prepared earlier, was decorated by a table of eager children to eat later.

Ethan has allergies so could not take part in this activity so instead attentive elves offered him a Christmas tree decoration to add glitter glue to which kept him just as entertained.

There were plenty more discoveries along the way including a talking tree he could not keep his eyes – or hands – off.

Then it was time for our short but sweet encounter with the man in red himself followed by a photo opportunity and the chance to buy some personalised souvenirs.

We thoroughly enjoyed Peter Rabbit's Christmas Grotto. It is imaginative, fun and instantly makes you feel welcome and at ease with impressive attention to detail. 

It is at the Trafford Centre until Christmas Eve. Visit tickets.eskimojoevents.co.uk/trafford_2018