A visit to Santa is a Christmas tradition for many families across Merseyside.
Throughout the generations, a visit to Santa’s grotto has been a must for children as the excitement builds towards the big day.
Liverpool has boasted some magical grottos over the years - and although some have been confined to history, we will wish we could bring them back.
Read More: Loved and lost shops where Scousers did their Christmas shopping
We asked ECHO readers to name their favourite Christmas grottos in Liverpool that they wish they could revisit - and here are the most popular suggestions.
This list is by no means complete and only captures a number of Liverpool Christmas grottos over the years. But if you can share memories and want to tell us about your favourite, let us know in the comments section.
Lewis's
The much-loved grotto at the former Lewis's Department Store in Liverpool was synonymous with Christmas.
When it opened in 1879, the famous grotto venue was the world's first Christmas grotto - and generations of children visited it to enjoy the magic.
Originally known as 'Christmas Fairyland,' it was packed with festive decorations and elves.
Because it meant a great deal to many people in Liverpool, it was decided that the huge grotto would continue following the closure of Lewis's in 2010.
That year it relocated to Rapid Hardware in the former George Henry Lee building on Church Street where it remained until 2017 when Rapid closed, before moving to St John's shopping centre.
TJ Hughes
Plenty of us will remember picking up a gift from Father Christmas from TJ Hughes.
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In more recent years, children will remember the winter wonderland grotto and visiting Santa in the basement of their London Road store.
In 2017, grotto legend Peter Blazey, who worked on the original Blacklers grotto, also designed the display.
But adults who visited TJ Hughes' grotto in their own childhoods will fondly remember the 'dancing waters' and Pinky and Perky at the shop.
The ECHO has launched a 48-page Christmas nostalgia supplement in print. It's perfect as a stocking filler and yours for just £2.50. You can order a copy here.
Blacklers
Blacklers is mostly remembered today for its Winter Wonderland Grotto, giant Santa Claus and famous rocking horse.
Opening in 1908, Blacklers was one of the biggest stores in the country at the time and boasted six floors.
Founded by business partners Richard John Blackler and A.B. Wallis at the turn of the 20th century, it was located on Great Charlotte Street and the Christmas grotto was loved by generations of children across the city.
Do these awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
Many will remember the annual trip to see Santa or shopping for presents during the festive season.
The department store was also well-known for its huge model of Father Christmas which stood proudly on the central staircase in the main hallway.
The 3D Santa, one of two created by artist Peter Blazey while working there, was displayed for more than 20 years, from the 1960s to the 1980s, as a decoration and to advertise the store’s grotto.
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