Christmas Train Rides 2026

Steam from Toddington to a North Pole at Winchcombe to meet Santa, with a gift for every child. Almost every December train is sold out, so look at November.

A 30 minute train ride from Cranmore to the South Pole with a balloon modeller on board, then back to the station to see Santa and collect a gift.

A 75 minute steam ride through the Forest of Dean from Norchard, with Santa at every seat, warm mince pies and gifts handed out by his elves at Lydney Junction.

The full Train of Lights show on the way out to Kingswear, then Santa and his helper visit every seat on the way back with a gift for each adult and child.

An 80 minute evening steam ride from Paignton to Kingswear and back, through the Greenway tunnel and a forest of light displays above the River Dart.

Meet Santa on a heritage steam train from Bodmin General, with brass bands playing carols on the platform, two Quiet Trains and pyjama trains at 16:00.

A 50 minute steam ride from Bitton, near Bristol, with Santa on the train, a grotto visit, a railway soft toy for every child and festive donkeys on the lawn.

A 1 hour 45 minute steam train light and sound show from Alresford or Alton, with LED wristbands that light up in time with the show and a new Disco Ball Alley.

Father Christmas walks through the train between Ropley and Medstead, then children swap a magic token for a present of their choice at the Present Junction.

The licensed POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride runs from Tunbridge Wells West until 30 December, with hot chocolate, a cookie and a bell from Santa, from £37.95 a seat.

A return steam trip from New Romney to Hythe with Santa's grotto, a magician, seasonal refreshments and a quality gift for every child aged up to 17.

The licensed POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride leaves London Euston on heritage carriages on 11 dates in December, £69 a seat, with many weekend departures already sold out.

A 75 minute steam trip from Tenterden where Santa brings a named gift to your seat, with gallopers, a family photo and mulled wine included. Some dates sold out.

A 30 minute live action steam train ride with the Exbury elves, a Christmas singalong and jokes, paired with the Christmas Fair in the woodland gardens.

A 30 minute evening steam ride on Exbury Gardens' Rhododendron Line, with a personal send-off from Father Christmas at every departure, on five nights only.

A Christmas passport, a stocking on arrival, reindeer stations, Santa's grotto and a present, with unlimited steam rides on the demonstration line all day.

A one hour vintage diesel train from Wallingford with Santa's elves on board, a visit from Father Christmas and a present for every child.

A 1 hour 35 minute steam trip from Princes Risborough to Santa's Enchanted Workshop at Chinnor, with elves, a present for every child and a mince pie for all.

Steam through the fields to a lit Christmas Woodland near Sittingbourne, with unlimited train rides, a treasure trail and an optional Father Christmas grotto.

An after dark steam journey from Sheffield Park through four seasons of lineside light displays, hosted by The Good Witch and themed Somewhere over the Rainbow.

A heritage steam ride from Sheffield Park to a Christmas fair at Horsted Keynes, with fairground rides included and a collectible toy from Santa for each child.

A heated steam train from Sheringham to Holt with refreshments at your table, then Santa Land at Weybourne, where Santa hands every child a wrapped present.

An after dark steam train from Sheringham to Holt and back, lit by thousands of lights, with Around the World lineside displays and a bar stop at Holt.

A 35 minute trip in Victorian coaches from Brockford Station to North Pole Halt, where Santa meets each family in his Christmas Guards Van.

The licensed POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride from Dereham Station, with a pre show story, about an hour on board, hot chocolate, a cookie and a bell for everyone.

A vintage London bus from Epping or Ongar to North Weald, a brass band on the platform, then Santa's special train through Epping Forest with a present for every child.

An evening party train from Ongar with LED lightshows, synchronised wristbands, song sheets and three musical themes, from carols to 1980s pop.

A vintage Bubble Car ride to Santa's grotto at Castle Hedingham, a gift chosen in the elves' workshop and unlimited train rides for the rest of the day.

A 30 minute narrow gauge steam ride from Aylsham, then Santa's grotto with a personalised present for every child and a homemade Christmas snack box.

A train ride through Christmas scenes in the Enchanted Forest near Saffron Walden, where Father and Mother Christmas greet each child from the carriage.

The licensed POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride from Horsehay in Telford, with Santa, a Silver Sleigh Bell for every passenger, hot chocolate and cookies on board.

A 12 minute steam train ride to Statfold's North Pole, then Santa's grotto, a toy shop gift and around two hours of elf activities near Tamworth.

A 75 minute return steam journey from Bridgnorth in your own private compartment, with Santa and his helpers on board and a quality present for every child.

A steam train from Kidderminster to Arley for The Recipe for Christmas, a live theatre show starring Santa, with a quality present for each child and gingerbread.

An illuminated train to watch Santa arrive by boat on Rudyard Lake, a grotto visit across the dam and a steam ride back, all for £23.50 per guest.

A festive heritage train from Caverswall Road to Dilhorne and back, with Santa, elves and a baby polar bear puppet on board and a gift from Santa for every child.

An extended festive steam journey at Kingsbury Water Park with a stop to meet Santa and his elves, an age appropriate gift for every child and unlimited rides all day.

The licensed POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride from Froghall, with hot chocolate, a freshly baked cookie, singing chefs and the first gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell.

The licensed POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride from Birmingham Moor Street, with a brand new show for 2026 and one per person price for adults and children.

A steam train ride at Apedale Country Park, where each child meets Santa individually in his grotto, with a quality gift for each child and a hot drink for adults.

A ride on the diesel Santa Special from Rushden Railway Station, followed by a visit to Mr and Mrs Claus in their grotto, on 5 and 6 December 2026 only.

A 70 minute steam return through the Derwent Valley with festive entertainment, a visit from Santa, an age appropriate gift for each child and wine for adults.

A 50 minute Santa Special from Pitsford and Brampton Station, with Santa in his workshop, a present for each child and sherry and a mince pie for adults.

Santa visits on the train from Butterley Station, every child gets a gift, and the Pinxton Puppet Show plays in a heated marquee after the hour long ride.

A Santa Special from Ludborough Station where Father Christmas and his elves visit every carriage with gold coins for the toy shop, and each child takes home a gift.

An 80 minute steam return from Ruddington Fields with live entertainment from Santa, Mother Christmas and the elves, and a plush toy steam engine for every child.

Steam out of Loughborough over Swithland Viaduct with Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves on board, a gift for every child and a mince pie for every adult.

A steam hauled Santa journey from Wirksworth Station with Father Christmas, Mrs Claus and the elves, hot chocolate and cookies, and a present for every child.

A ride on the Jingle Belle at Cleethorpes with a one to one Santa visit, a quality gift on board and the Winter Wonderland, with one 24 December slot sold out.

A 90 minute round trip from Shackerstone Station with a personal visit from Santa, a small gift and sweets for every child, and a mince pie for each adult.

A 25 minute steam ride from Clayton West to Shelley North Pole, with a one to one grotto visit, an age matched gift and Spike the Elf's magic show.

Many slots already sold out. THE POLAR EXPRESS story on board at Leeming Bar, with hot chocolate, a cookie and a silver sleigh bell from Santa.

A festive ride on the Jingle Belle from Peasholm Station in Scarborough, with a one-to-one visit with Santa, guided by his elves, and a gift for every child.

A one hour steam round trip from Pickering to Levisham with Santa visiting on board, an elves' show and a gingerbread man toy and book for every child.

A two hour Christmas visit near York with a Polar Pizza Express train show, Mother Christmas, Humbug the Elf, Santa's village and a toy shop to spend in.

A 30 minute steam ride in Leeds with Santa handing out wrapped presents and a children's entertainer, then the grotto, mince pies and juice, all in one price.

A 20 minute Elf Show and Victorian Christmas Street at Oxenhope, then a one hour steam round trip with Father Christmas and a gift for every child.

An evening performance of A Christmas Carol that begins in the Exhibition Shed at Oxenhope and continues on a steam round trip to Keighley and back.

THE POLAR EXPRESS story played out on a 60 minute steam journey from Bolton Abbey Station, with hot chocolate, a cookie and a silver sleigh bell.

A one hour Santa Express from Stanhope Station in Weardale, with reserved table seats, a visit from Santa for every family and a gift for each child.

Sold out for 2026. A steam ride to Santa's grotto at the North Pole, the Jingles Elf Show and a gift for every child, from East Tanfield near Stanley.

A 15 minute live show with Santa and the elves, then a festive heritage train ride with Christmas tunes and a gift from Santa, in North Shields.

Two days only of festively decorated trains from Ford Forge, with Santa Claus joining on board at Etal Station and seasonal treats for children.

A 55 minute return steam ride from Lionheart Station in Alnwick, with Santa, Mother Christmas and elves on board and a plush gift for every child.

A 25 minute steam trip behind Sir Tom to find Santa at Threlkeld Quarry, with a present for every child and seasonal refreshments, near Keswick.

A one hour Santa Special by steam from Alston, with festive nibbles, Santa visiting every carriage and a gift for each child up to 17.

A 55 minute steam ride along the former Preston docks with Santa, Mother Christmas and elves, and a plush toy steam engine for every child.

Elf-led storytelling at Ravenglass, then a 40 minute steam journey up the Eskdale Valley to meet Santa at Dalegarth Grotto, with a gift for every child.

A private decorated compartment on a one hour steam trip from Haverthwaite, with Father Christmas visiting each family. 13 December is already sold out.

An 80 minute steam ride from Bury to Rawtenstall and back, with a winter wonderland walk-through, a brass band on board and a gift from Santa for every child.

A 40 minute heritage steam ride to Father Christmas and his Magic Show at Hesketh Bank, with a gift and goody bag for every child and mince pies for adults.