A Little Bit Magic

Farmer Sandra Fagg adores Christmas and now she and husband Mike run their own reindeer centre and grotto

- Pat Crawford

The Reindeer Centre in Bethersden near Ashford, is a popular visitor attraction loved by children, but it’s also one of those places that has something to offer people of all ages.

The centre owes its origins to Sandra Fagg, farmer and owner, who explains: “Having been a huge fan of Christmas ever since I was a little girl, one day in the middle of 2005 I thought how lovely it would be if we could have a reindeer to visit the farm at Christmas for a family treat.”

However, Sandra discovered that at that time the UK’s only resident reindeer were based in the Cairngorms in Scotland and it was immediately apparent that the distance made it impossible for them to visit Kent.

Talking to family and friends who shared her enthusiasm, she started to consider having reindeer on the farm permanently.

Her vision came to life with the purchase of two large male reindeer – Twinkle and Star – from a local zoo. Things developed quickly when friends suggested Sandra’s husband, Mike, should make a sleigh and dress up as Father Christmas.

The idea of a grotto quickly followed and a small one was made out of an old shed. Children came to meet Father Christmas and the reindeer and receive a small gift. So began the creation of the Reindeer Centre.