The engines on the Bure Valley Railway run on rails just 15 inches apart, so the Festive Express feels made to measure for small passengers: a 30-minute steam ride from Aylsham to Brampton and back, a visit to Santa's Grotto and a present with your child's own name on it. It runs on ten dates between 5 and 24 December 2026, and our roundup of Santa Specials across Britain has the bigger lines if you want to compare.
The short version
- Dates: 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 to 24 December 2026
- Departs: Aylsham station, out to Brampton and back
- Ride: about 30 minutes of narrow-gauge steam, ideal for toddlers
- Booking: pre-booking essential; fares and times are on the ticket site
- Tip: free parking at Aylsham, and collapsible pushchairs work best
The Bure Valley Festive Express at a glance
- Railway
- Bure Valley Railway
- Departs from
- Aylsham (Bure Valley Railway), out to Brampton and back
- 2026 dates
- Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December, and daily from Saturday 19 to Thursday 24 December 2026
- Times
- Departure times are shown on the railway's ticket site.
- Duration
- About 30 minutes on the train, from Aylsham to Brampton and back, plus your grotto visit
- Booking
- Pre-booking essential through the Bure Valley Railway ticket site, where fares are shown. The railway describes the Festive Express as having no hidden costs. On 4 November 2026 the Bure Valley ticket site showed no Festive Express date as sold out.
- Checked
2027 ticket alert
Santa trains sell out fast
The best dates are often gone weeks before December. Leave your email and we will write once, the moment 2027 bookings open in East of England.
The train story to read before you boardRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a little corgi’s first train ride to see his grandparents, hand-painted in real watercolour. For ages 0 to 5.
Aylsham to Brampton and back: your Festive Express morning
Free parking and a warm welcome at Aylsham
The Festive Express starts and finishes at the Bure Valley Railway's station in Aylsham, a market town in the heart of Norfolk. Parking here is free, which is one less thing to worry about on a busy December weekend, and the station has toilets and baby changing. That matters, because there are no facilities at all at Brampton, the turning point of the ride, so Aylsham is where you do every loo stop and nappy change.
The railway does not give an arrival time on its Festive Express page, so check the time on your ticket and give yourself enough slack to park, use the facilities and find your carriage without rushing. With small children, ten calm minutes on the platform watching the little engine being readied is part of the fun.
Thirty minutes of narrow-gauge steam
The Bure Valley Railway is a 15-inch gauge line, which means the locomotives and carriages are scaled down. Children sit close to the windows, and the engine at the front looks like something from a storybook. The Festive Express ride itself lasts about 30 minutes, out from Aylsham to Brampton and back again, which is about the attention span of a two-year-old and a big reason this ride is so popular with families of toddlers.
Photos are allowed, so keep your phone handy for the moment the engine comes past. If you want a good view, ask staff on the day which side of the carriage gives the best look at the countryside on the way out.
Santa's Grotto and a present with their name on it
Every child visits Santa's Grotto, and each one receives a personalised present. Because the presents are personalised, the booking process will ask for your child's details, so have names ready and check the spelling before you pay. The railway's page does not say exactly where the grotto sits in the order of the day, so look at your booking confirmation or ask when you book.
The package also includes a Christmas snack box with homemade treats from the railway's own Whistlestop Cafe. The railway sums the whole package up as having no hidden costs, which is reassuring when you are trying to keep the Christmas budget under control.
Heading home
Once you are back at Aylsham, the free car park means a quick getaway for a tired toddler. Allow time at the station for a last loo stop before the drive. With half an hour on the train plus the grotto, the whole visit is short enough to leave time for a nap or a wander round Aylsham. If you have a long drive home, the snack box treats make a good reward for the back seat, though you may want to save some for after lunch.
Which Festive Express day suits your family, from newborns to big sisters
Babies on the Festive Express
With only about 30 minutes on the train, the Festive Express is one of the easiest Santa trains to manage with a baby. Baby changing at Aylsham means you can change your baby just before boarding. The railway warns that buggy space on board is limited, so a collapsible pushchair or a sling is the sensible choice. Ask on the ticket site or by phone how babies are priced before you book.
Toddlers and pre-schoolers on the Festive Express
Children from two to five are exactly who this ride suits best. The scale of the train delights them, the journey is short enough to avoid a meltdown, and a personalised present feels very special at that age. Weekday dates from Monday 21 to Thursday 24 December can feel a little calmer than the weekends, if you are already off work.
Older children on the Festive Express
Children of seven or eight may find a 30-minute ride short, though many still love the miniature engines. If you have a mix of ages, pair this trip with a longer outing such as the steam train at Sheringham's Poppy Line Santa Specials, about half an hour away, on another day.
Weekends, weekdays and the weather
Saturdays and Sundays on 5 and 6, and 12 and 13 December are the dates working parents usually go for. The run from 19 to 24 December includes Christmas Eve, which has a magic all of its own. Norfolk in December can be wet and windy, but this is a short ride with good facilities at the start, so it is a good bet in poor weather. Fares are listed on the ticket site rather than the event page, so compare dates there before you choose.
One more thing to weigh up: because the Festive Express is short and gentle, it works well as a first-ever Santa train. If your child loves it, you can step up next year to a longer steam trip; if they find it a bit much, you have only committed half an hour. For families coming from further away, the Santa Steam Express from Victoria in London is a very different, grander option that needs no car at all.
From a Victorian branch line to a 15-inch steam railway
The Bure Valley Railway runs on the trackbed of a much older railway. The East Norfolk Railway opened its line from Norwich to Cromer in 1877, and in 1880 a branch was extended from Wroxham to Aylsham. Two years later the Great Eastern Railway took over the company, and in 1923 the line passed to the London and North Eastern Railway, before nationalisation in 1948.
Passenger trains stopped running on 15 September 1952, though goods trains carried on for decades. Freight through Aylsham finally ended in 1981, and the line through the town was formally closed on 6 January 1982. Track lifting trains ran in 1984, and for a while it looked as if the route would simply disappear.
Instead, the idea of a new railway on the old route took hold. Consent to rebuild was given in 1987, and the narrow-gauge Bure Valley Railway opened on 10 July 1990. In 1991 a footpath opened alongside the track, so walkers and cyclists can follow the railway through the Bure valley, and a new operating company was set up to lease and run the line.
The railway now runs for about 9 miles between Aylsham and Wroxham, crossing 17 bridges, including a girder bridge over the River Bure. It has had its share of hard times, including heavy losses during the pandemic, but reopened in 2021 after two locomotive boilers were replaced, and in 2022 it won the Heritage Railway Association's award for environmental innovation after trialling bio-coal.
When the RKF Group went into receivership in January 1991, Broadland District Council moved to acquire the line, which makes the Bure Valley's story a little different from the volunteer society tales behind most heritage railways. Its passenger fleet runs to 29 vehicles, usually formed into three complete trains, and one of its engines, No. 6 Blickling Hall, was built for the line in 1994. Instead of restoring old engines from the big railway, the Bure Valley built a new railway on an old route, sized for a gentler, smaller kind of journey.
Wroxham, the far end of the line, connects with the national railway at Hoveton and Wroxham, so on days when the full line is running it is possible to arrive by mainline train and change onto the little one. The Festive Express itself only goes as far as Brampton, so for Santa you need to be at Aylsham.
- 1877The East Norfolk Railway opens its line from Norwich to Cromer.
- 1880The branch from Wroxham reaches Aylsham.
- 1952Passenger trains stop running on the line on 15 September.
- 1982The line through Aylsham is formally closed on 6 January.
- 1990The 15-inch gauge Bure Valley Railway opens on 10 July.
- 1991A footpath opens alongside the railway.
- 1994Locomotive No. 6, Blickling Hall, is built.
- 2022The railway wins a Heritage Railway Association award for environmental innovation.
To tell a six-year-old: long ago big trains ran here, then the tracks were taken away, and people built a smaller railway in the same place, with little engines just the right size for children.
Aylsham, the Broads and a December day out in Norfolk
Aylsham is a pretty market town, and a short wander around its market place makes a pleasant end to a short train ride. The railway's other terminus is at Wroxham, which is known as a gateway to the Norfolk Broads; in winter the boatyards are quiet, but a walk by the water is still lovely. Norwich is about 30 minutes' drive from Aylsham, if you want to add shopping or a museum.
Close to Aylsham is Blickling, the stately home that gave its name to one of the railway's engines. If you plan to visit any National Trust or other property in December, check its own website for festive opening times, because they vary from year to year.
The footpath beside the line, opened in 1991, is a flat and easy walk for families who want to stretch their legs. Wrap up well, as the Bure valley can be very exposed in winter, and take a torch if you set off in the afternoon: it gets dark before half past four in December.
The railway also runs a Noel Night Train, which we have not been able to confirm for 2026; check the railway's website if you are interested. We have not found a confirmed 2026 Christmas market in Aylsham with dates, so look at local listings before you plan around one. Our guide to Christmas outings for families in the UK has more ideas.
For a bigger steam day out, the Great Central's Santa Express in Loughborough is a long drive west but a full standard-gauge experience, with longer carriages and bigger engines.
If the weather turns, Norwich has plenty of indoor options for a winter afternoon with children. Check the opening hours of anything you plan to visit, as many attractions change their hours over Christmas and some close on Christmas Eve.
Bure Valley Festive Express: the practical bits for parents
Pushchairs at Aylsham
Buggy space on the train is limited, and the railway advises collapsible pushchairs. If you have a large travel system, consider leaving it in the car and using a sling for the short ride.
Aylsham loos, and none at Brampton
Toilets and baby changing are available at Aylsham. There are no facilities at Brampton, so make sure everyone has been before you board. The page does not mention toilets on the train itself; with a ride this short, most families will not need one.
Heating on the Festive Express
The railway does not say on its Festive Express page whether the carriages are heated. Ask when you book, and put children in warm layers anyway, as narrow-gauge carriages can feel draughty on a cold December day.
Parking and arrival at Aylsham
Parking at Aylsham station is free. Check your ticket for the departure time, and ask the railway how early they would like you to arrive. Aylsham's town centre is small and the roads in can be busy on Saturdays in December, so leave a little extra time.
Accessibility at Aylsham
The railway says there is wheelchair access at its stations and in its carriages. If you need a wheelchair space on a particular Festive Express departure, contact the railway when you book to make sure one is available.
Tickets and prices
Pre-booking is essential, and fares are shown on the ticket site rather than on the event page. Before paying, check on the ticket site how children, adults and babies are priced, and what the railway's cancellation policy is. The railway describes the experience as having no hidden costs, so the snack box and present are included. Because each present is personalised, double check names and ages on the booking before you confirm; a misspelled name on a gift is the kind of detail a five-year-old will notice instantly.
Dogs and weather
The Festive Express page does not say whether dogs are allowed, so ask the railway before you bring yours. In bad weather, call ahead to check the service is running as planned.
The grotto visit
The page does not set out how long you spend with Santa or whether the grotto is indoors, so ask the railway if your child is anxious or has sensory needs. A quick explanation beforehand helps shy children: tell them Santa already knows their name, because it will be on their present.
Photos
The railway says photos are allowed. Be considerate about other families in the grotto, and ask staff on the day whether there is a good spot for a picture with the engine.
Packing for a little train and a big present
The ride is short, so you can travel light, but a few things make it easier.
- A collapsible pushchair or a sling
- Warm layers for a narrow-gauge carriage
- Your children's names spelled correctly for the personalised present
- A bag to carry the present home safely
- Wipes for the Whistlestop Cafe snack box
- A charged phone, since photos are allowed
- Waterproofs for the walk from the car park
- Nappies, used before boarding as Brampton has no facilities
The Bure Valley Railway by the numbers
- 15 inches (381 mm): track gauge of the Bure Valley Railway
- About 9 miles (14.5 km): length of the line from Aylsham to Wroxham
- 1990: year the narrow-gauge railway opened
- 17: bridges on the line
- About 30 minutes: length of the Festive Express ride
- 10: Festive Express dates in December 2026
- 5: stations on the Bure Valley Railway
- 29: passenger vehicles in the railway's fleet
Driving to Aylsham from Norwich
Aylsham is about 30 minutes' drive from Norwich without traffic, and parking at the station is free.
| From | Drive time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Norwich | about 30 minutes |
Other Santa trains you can reach from Aylsham
If you want to try another Christmas train, these are the nearest in our UK guide.
- North Norfolk Railway Santa Specials on the Poppy Line Sheringham, East of England
- Santa Express on the Great Central Railway Loughborough, East Midlands
- Mainline Santa steam from London Victoria London, London
More for Christmas train families
Bure Valley Festive Express: what parents ask
When does the Bure Valley Railway Festive Express run in 2026?
It runs on 5, 6, 12 and 13 December, and every day from 19 to 24 December 2026.
How much are Festive Express tickets at the Bure Valley Railway?
Fares are shown on the railway's ticket site rather than on the event page, so check there for the current prices. The railway says there are no hidden costs.
How do I book the Bure Valley Festive Express?
Pre-booking is essential and is done through the Bure Valley Railway's online ticket site.
Do babies need a ticket for the Aylsham Santa train?
The event page does not say how babies are priced. Check on the ticket site or ask the railway before booking.
How long is the Bure Valley Festive Express?
The steam ride is about 30 minutes, from Aylsham to Brampton and back, plus your visit to Santa's Grotto.
Where does the Bure Valley Festive Express leave from?
It leaves from the Bure Valley Railway station in Aylsham, where parking is free.
Can I bring a pushchair on the Bure Valley Railway at Christmas?
Buggy space is limited, and the railway recommends a collapsible pushchair.
Are there toilets on the Bure Valley Festive Express?
Toilets and baby changing are at Aylsham station. There are no facilities at Brampton, so use them before you board.
Are Bure Valley Railway carriages heated in December?
Heating is not covered in the Festive Express details, so ask the railway when booking and dress children warmly.
What present does each child get on the Bure Valley Festive Express?
Each child receives a personalised present after visiting Santa's Grotto.
Is there food on the Bure Valley Santa train?
Yes. The Festive Express includes a Christmas snack box with homemade treats from the railway's Whistlestop Cafe.
Is the Bure Valley Festive Express good for toddlers?
Yes. The ride lasts about 30 minutes on a 15-inch gauge railway, which suits toddlers who might struggle with a longer trip.
Which Bure Valley Festive Express date is best with a baby?
Any date works because the ride is short; a weekday from 21 to 23 December may be calmer than a weekend if you are free.
What will the weather be like for the Aylsham Santa train?
December in Norfolk is often cold and wet. With good facilities at Aylsham and a short ride, the Festive Express is a reasonable choice even in poor weather.
When was the Bure Valley Railway built?
The narrow-gauge railway opened on 10 July 1990 on the route of an older line from Wroxham to Aylsham, which first reached the town in 1880.
How long is the Bure Valley Railway?
It is about 9 miles long, from Aylsham to Wroxham, with a track gauge of 15 inches.
What can we do in Aylsham after the Festive Express?
Aylsham's market place is good for a stroll, Blickling is close by, and Norwich is about 30 minutes away by car. Check festive opening times before you go.
Are there other Christmas trains near Norwich besides the Bure Valley Railway?
The North Norfolk Railway runs Santa Specials from Sheringham, and our UK Santa train guide lists more across the country.
Is the Bure Valley Festive Express wheelchair accessible?
The railway says there is wheelchair access at its stations and in its carriages. Contact it when you book to reserve a space.
Can dogs come on the Bure Valley Festive Express?
Dogs are not covered in the Festive Express information, so check with the railway before bringing yours.
2027 ticket alert
Santa trains sell out fast
The best dates are often gone weeks before December. Leave your email and we will write once, the moment 2027 bookings open in East of England.
Sources
- Bure Valley Railway: official page (burevalleyrailway.co.uk) (opens in a new tab)
- Bure Valley Railway (Wikipedia) (opens in a new tab)
Checked on the railway’s official pages on 4 November 2026. This train is run by Bure Valley Railway. Rally Takes the Train is a children’s picture book; we are not partners with or affiliated to the railway. Book only on the official site and check dates and fares before you travel.
Last updated: