Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

Santa Specials

Visit the Dean Forest Railway this Christmas for your chance to ride behind a real steam engine and visit with Santa and his elves! With presents for the children and a miniature for the adults (plus mince pies for everyone!)

Quick Details

  • Duration: 1 hour 20 min.
  • 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 Bag (with a turkey, cranberry & stuffing sandwich, a slice of Christmas cake and a 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 £6.50 (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: Age appropriate gifts are given to all fare-paying children.
  • 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.
Adult Ages 18+
£19
Child Ages 3-17
£19
Under 3 With present and seat allocation
£19
Under 3 With present but no seat allocation
£10
Under 3 No present or seat allocated
Free

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 on board!

The train will depart from Norchard Station, heading first to Parkend Station, where there is a short stop while the engine runs round (toilet facilities available on the platform). The train will then depart Parkend and head non-stop through the forest to Lydney Junction Station. Santa will visit everyone at their seats during this time. At Lydney Junction you will then visit Santa’s Elves to collect your presents 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 Bag (with a turkey, cranberry & stuffing sandwich, a slice of Christmas cake and a 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.

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

Related Experiences