Santa Specials

Quick Details

Duration: 1 hour 20 min.
2022 Dates Now Available!: Book now for 2022 - select 2022 from the year dropdown to quickly access next year's tickets!
Location: Norchard Station, Forest Road, Lydney, Glos. GL15 4ET
Refreshments: Add on a special Christmas Afternoon Tea, with a turkey, cranberry & stuffing sandwich, cream tea (two scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam), a slice of Christmas cake and a hot drink (with options of tea, hot chocolate and a range of coffees), or for something lighter just the Cream Tea with a hot drink, or a Christmas Picnic Box (with a turkey, cranberry & stuffing sandwich, a slice of Christmas cake and a hot drink), or a Bacon Roll & Hot Drink, which can be collected from Whistle's café at Norchard to take on board the train with you.
Drinks: Add a 20cl prosecco to your booking for only £5 (18+).
Food: Our café will be serving light takeaway refreshments throughout the day (please note, the café will close after the last train departs).
Booking: Our Santa Specials are usually a sell-out event, so advanced booking is essential.
Accessibility: Our stations and steam trains are fully wheelchair accessible. As wheelchair space on board the train is limited, please contact us when booking to check availability and for us to add a note to your booking.
Seating: All passengers in one booking will be seated together, and your seating allocation will be provided to you on the day. If you have made any additional bookings and wish to be seated together, please let us know in advance.
Dogs: We regret that dogs (except for assistance dogs) are not allowed at our Santa Specials.
Presents: Every child (age 2+) will receive an age appropriate present.
Miniatures: Each adult will receive an alcoholic miniature (selection available on the day), served on board the train.
Mince Pies: Every passenger will get a warmed mince pie, served on board the train.

Experience a magical Christmas train ride through the forest and meet Santa and his elves!

Visit the Dean Forest Railway this Christmas for your chance to ride behind a real steam engine and meet Santa and his elves on board!

The train will depart from Norchard Station, heading first to Lydney Junction Station, where there is a short stop while the ending runs round (toilet facilities available on the platform). The train will then depart Lydney Junction and head non-stop through the forest to Parkend Station. There will be a short break at Parkend (where toilet facilities are available if needed), before returning back to Norchard Station to complete your 75-minute journey.

When booking you can add on a special Christmas Afternoon Tea, with a turkey, cranberry & stuffing sandwich, cream tea (two scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam), a slice of Christmas cake and a hot drink (with options of tea, hot chocolate and a range of coffees), or for something lighter just the Cream Tea, or a Christmas Picnic Box (with a turkey, cranberry & stuffing sandwich, a slice of Christmas cake and a hot drink), or a Bacon Roll & Hot Drink.

Our cafe will be offering seasonal take-away refreshments all day. Our shop is well stocked with toys and gifts for both young and old. Plenty of stocking filler ideas!

Advance booking is highly recommended for this event, as our Santa Specials trains are usually sold out.

Under 2s travel free, but will not receive a present, and will not be assigned a seat.

Limited wheelchair spaces are available – please call before booking to ensure this space.

Please note that bookings for 2022 may be subject to slight alterations in timings etc., but if they are we will let you know with plenty of notice, and the changes will only be very minor.

Steam Train Ride

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Steam Footplate Experience