Avon Valley Railway’s Santa Special is a popular festive train ride every year. Setting off from the railway’s HQ at Bitton Station, those onboard will enjoy a 50-minute train ride, with mince pies, festive biscuits and even a visit from Santa himself.
Every year the Santa Specials dates sell out super quickly and, while there are still a great number of time slots available to book online at time of writing, this is usually the beginning of a huge surge in sales. In previous years, the event has even sold out as early as between September and November in the run up to the festive period.
According to the booking website, time slots for Santa Special train rides begin on November 23 at 10am and run on selected dates (15 dates in total) until December 24. Ticket prices range from between £17-£31 depending on the date you choose – and some coaches have already completely sold out on certain dates and times.
Here’s all you need to know about the event and ticket selection before you book…
What else can I expect on the Santa Special train ride?
When you return to Bitton Station following your train ride, each family group will meet Santa once more and children will receive a present from him, too. This year, due to positive feedback from previous passengers, the present will be in the form of a bespoke Avon Valley Railway donkey-themed plush toy, which will be offered to all children regardless of age and is suitable from birth.
There will also be the chance for your family group to take photographs and make lasting festive memories you can cherish. What’s more, the festive Christmas donkeys will be returning once again – you’ll be able to see them on the lawn at Bitton Station, either before (if you’re travelling on the last train of the day) or after you’ve travelled on the train at other times.
How do you book tickets – quantities, coaches and more
Booking seats on the Santa Specials can be done by visiting the website here. From there, you’ll select a date and time slot by selecting the date on the calendar and clicking the ‘book tickets’ button next to the time slot you wish to book.
Greyed out dates and times mean that these have sold out. Then you select the coach in wish you would like to sit (again greyed out options signify the seats in that coach have all been booked). You will then be able to select your own seats using the diagram on the page.
Things to know before you book
If you’re booking a compartment which sits eight people, a minimum of five tickets need to be paid for. If you book seven or more seats, you’ll receive a five per cent discount on all seats you purchase.
When you select a carriage and click on an available compartment or table, choose your first seat and you’ll then notice that all the remaining seats in that specific area become highlighted, so that nobody else can book them. You simply need to choose the different tickets you need for each of your group from the drop down lists and, for any spare seats in your chosen area, simply choose the ’empty seat’ option.
Other festive trains at Avon Valley Railway this year
Breakfast with Santa
You can enjoy breakfast in the First Class dining carriage onboard one of the railway’s festive steam trains this year. Santa will also make a short visit to the carriage, say hello to everyone and give all children and infants a present. When you arrive at the station, you collect your boarding card from the station booking office.
The train will be ready to board at 9.30am and after you take your seats, Santa will visit the carriage and the children will receive their presents. As the train prepares for departure, the railway’s team of volunteers will serve a full English breakfast at your seat.
The train first departs north to Oldland Common. You’ll next travel south to Avon Riverside, enjoying the delightful scenery of the Avon Valley, before returning to Bitton at approximately 11am. Breakfast with Santa tickets do not include a visit to Santa’s Grotto at the station.
Festive dining trains
You can find out more about festive afternoon tea, fish & chips and other festive dining trains designed just for grown ups, here.