For a few weeks each winter, Winchcombe station in the Cotswolds turns into the North Pole, and Santa sets up his grotto there to wait for the steam train from Toddington. The ride itself is short, which leaves well over an hour at the grotto end for meeting Santa, snacks and photos. It is one of many trips in our Christmas steam train guide for the UK.
The short version
- Dates: selected days from 28 November to 23 December 2026, including 28, 29 November and 5, 6, 12, 13 December
- Departs Toddington; event runs 9am to 5pm, with your check-in time on booking
- Prices: shown on the GWSR booking system only
- Booking: pre-booked passengers only, on sale now; book early
- Tip: allow about 1 hour 20 minutes at Winchcombe for the grotto, snacks and photos
The GWSR Santa Express at a glance
- Railway
- Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
- Departs from
- Toddington station, Gloucestershire (train to the North Pole at Winchcombe)
- 2026 dates
- Selected dates from Saturday 28 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026, including 28 and 29 November and 5, 6, 12 and 13 December; further dates are listed on the booking system.
- Times
- The event runs from 9am to 5pm; check-in times are given when you book
- Duration
- About 10 to 15 minutes each way by steam train, plus about 1 hour 20 minutes at Winchcombe
- Booking
- Pre-booked passengers only, through the GWSR vTicket booking site. Tickets are on sale; the railway advises booking early.
- 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 South West 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.
From Toddington by steam to Santa's grotto at Winchcombe
Checking in at Toddington
Every Santa Express starts at Toddington station, the railway's headquarters in the Gloucestershire countryside between Cheltenham and Broadway. The event runs from 9am to 5pm, but you do not just turn up: your check-in time is given when you book, and only pre-booked passengers can travel. Note the time carefully and plan to be at Toddington a little before it, especially on December weekends when roads in the Cotswolds can be slow.
The page does not set out what happens at Toddington before boarding, so treat it as a place to park, check in and get on the train. Make the toilet stop here, and get gloves and hats on before you head for the platform. If you are meeting grandparents or friends, agree to meet at Toddington well before the check-in time, since everyone needs to be on the same train to the North Pole.
A short steam ride to the North Pole
The steam train takes about 10 to 15 minutes to reach Winchcombe, which plays the part of the North Pole for the season. That short ride is a real advantage with toddlers: there is just enough time for the excitement of the whistle and the view from the window, and not enough for anyone to get restless. Children who have never been on a steam train before often find a brief first trip less daunting than a long one.
Use the ride to build up the story. Telling children they are travelling to the North Pole, and that Santa's elves have been getting ready for them, makes the arrival at Winchcombe feel like a proper event. Point out the station sign as you pull in, since older children enjoy spotting that the North Pole has a perfectly ordinary Gloucestershire name, and younger ones are usually too excited to notice.
An hour and more at the North Pole
At Winchcombe you have about 1 hour 20 minutes before the return train. Santa is waiting in his grotto, and every child receives a gift and an activity book. Children aged 12 months and over get a snack and a drink, and adults are offered a hot drink and a mince pie; mulled wine is also mentioned. There are photo opportunities too, so have a phone or camera charged.
With well over an hour at Winchcombe, there is no need to rush to the grotto the moment you arrive. Let children have their snack first if they are hungry, then visit Santa, and save the activity book for the return ride or the car home.
Then the steam train brings you back to Toddington in another 10 to 15 minutes. The whole visit, door to door at the railway, is roughly two hours, which suits a morning or an afternoon outing. If your family prefers more time on the train and less time at a grotto, the Severn Valley Railway's Christmas trains from Kidderminster are about an hour north.
Which North Pole date and time to pick
Babies on the GWSR Santa Express
The page lists a snack and drink for children aged 12 months and over, which suggests younger babies are catered for differently, but it does not state a free age or a baby fare. Check the ticket types on the booking system before choosing. A morning check-in tends to suit babies best, and because the steam ride is so short, you are never far from the station facilities.
Preschoolers and the long North Pole stop
This is the ideal age for the GWSR's format. The short train ride holds attention, and the long stop at Winchcombe gives you time to let a shy child warm up before meeting Santa. If your preschooler is unsure about costumed characters, watch another family go into the grotto first, then talk about what they saw. Children who nap after lunch are usually happiest on a morning check-in.
Older children on the GWSR Santa Express
Older children may enjoy the steam engine and the activity book more than the grotto. An afternoon check-in, finishing as the light fades, makes the Winchcombe North Pole feel more magical, and the event runs until 5pm. For siblings with a big age gap, the long stop at Winchcombe helps: the younger ones can take their time with Santa while older ones explore the station and fill in the activity book.
Dates, budget and weather
The railway shows a sample of dates on its Santa page (28 and 29 November, 5, 6, 12 and 13 December) and lists the rest of the season, up to Wednesday 23 December, on its booking system. If you need a weekday in the final week before Christmas, open the booking page to see which dates are offered; the last date, 23 December, is a Wednesday. Note that the season ends on 23 December, so there is no Christmas Eve train on this line.
Prices are not published on the event page, so compare ticket types on the booking system. The railway has reported fully booked Santa seasons in previous years, so if you have a favourite date, booking early is the safest choice. The long stop at Winchcombe means part of the visit may be spent outdoors on the platform, so check the forecast and bring waterproofs.
How the Honeybourne line was rebuilt from Toddington
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway runs on part of a Great Western Railway line built between 1900 and 1906, when it opened. It is sometimes called the Honeybourne line, and today's heritage railway follows a long stretch of it through the Cotswold countryside between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway, with Toddington and Winchcombe in the middle.
Its end as a working railway came in 1976, when a derailment damaged a stretch of track and the line was closed. The double track was lifted from 1979, leaving an empty trackbed through the countryside.
Rebuilding began almost immediately. In 1981 the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway Plc was formed and track relaying started at Toddington, which is why the Santa Express begins there. In 1984 steam trains ran over 700 yards (640 m) of relaid track at Toddington. The railway reached Winchcombe, today's North Pole, in 1987. Further south, the line to Cheltenham Racecourse was reopened in 2003 by Princess Anne, and at the northern end trains reached Broadway on 30 March 2018. The restored railway now has about 14 miles (23 km) of track.
- 1906The Great Western Railway completes the line through the Cotswolds
- 1976The line closes after a derailment damages the track
- 1979The double track is lifted
- 1981The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway Plc is formed and relaying begins
- 1984Steam runs at Toddington over 700 yards of relaid track
- 1987The railway reopens to Winchcombe
- 2003Cheltenham Racecourse is reached and the line is reopened by Princess Anne
- 2018Trains reach Broadway on 30 March
Winchcombe station has a story of its own. The original building had gone, so the station was reconstructed using the former station building from Monmouth Troy, in Wales, which gives children a fun fact to look for: the North Pole is in a building that once stood in another country.
The restored line also includes Greet Tunnel, which is 693 yards (634 m) long. The Santa page does not mention it as part of the Toddington to Winchcombe trip, so do not promise a tunnel; if your children are tunnel fans, ask the railway.
The way the railway was rebuilt matters for families today. Because volunteers started at Toddington and worked outwards, Toddington became the railway's main base, and Winchcombe was the first big destination they reached, in 1987. That is exactly the stretch your Santa Express covers: the original heart of the rebuilt line, a short ride that took the volunteers years of work to make possible. Broadway, the newest station, took until 2018, more than three decades after the first steam at Toddington.
A version for a six-year-old: when this railway was closed, all the tracks were taken away, so lots of helpers laid new ones by hand, starting at Toddington, and now a steam train can carry you all the way to Santa's North Pole at Winchcombe.
Cheltenham, Broadway and the Cotswolds in December
Toddington sits between Cheltenham and Broadway, with Cheltenham about 25 minutes' drive away and Gloucester about 35 minutes. With roughly two hours at the railway, there is plenty of time for a second stop on the same day. The town of Winchcombe, which gives the North Pole station its name, makes a natural lunch stop for families who want to see the place by daylight rather than only through the grotto door.
Cheltenham Christmas Market runs on the Promenade from 10 to 23 December 2026, according to the Visit Cheltenham Christmas markets listing, which overlaps the second half of the GWSR's Santa season. A morning on the Santa Express and an afternoon at the market is an easy pairing for families from Gloucester, Worcester or Birmingham. The listing also shows smaller seasonal markets on single dates in and around the town, so look at the full page if you prefer a quieter visit. On the busiest Saturdays in December, Cheltenham town centre fills up quickly, so families with pushchairs may find a weekday or an early start easier, and the Santa Express check-in time will usually decide which half of the day goes to the market.
The railway itself runs separate Christmas Shopping at Broadway trains on 27 November and 4 December 2026, which are a different ticket from the Santa Express but a nice way to see the northern end of the line. Broadway is at the northern end of the railway, and those trains are better suited to adults and older children than to toddlers.
If you are driving down from the Midlands, our guide to Christmas with children in Birmingham covers family events closer to home. Families in the South West might also compare the Toddington trip with the Cranmore Santa Specials in the Mendips, where the train heads to the South Pole instead.
Toddington Santa Express notes for parents
Booking at Toddington
Only pre-booked passengers can travel, so there is no option to turn up on the day. Tickets are sold through the GWSR's vTicket booking site, where you will also find prices, the full list of dates and your check-in time. The page does not set out refund or change rules, so read the conditions at checkout.
Pushchairs at Toddington
The Santa page does not say whether pushchairs can travel on the train. Since you spend over an hour at Winchcombe, a pushchair could be useful there, so ask the railway before you go whether it can come on board or should stay at Toddington.
Loos at Toddington and Winchcombe
Facilities at Toddington and Winchcombe are not described on the Santa page. Ask the railway, and use the toilets at Toddington before boarding just in case.
Heating and clothing on the GWSR Santa Express
Carriage heating is not mentioned. With a long stop at Winchcombe, part of which may be spent on the platform, dress children in warm, waterproof layers and bring hats and gloves.
Food and drink
Children aged 12 months and over get a snack and a drink, and adults get a hot drink and a mince pie. If your child has allergies, ask the railway what the snacks contain. Bring your own food for babies under 12 months. Adults offered mulled wine should decide in advance who is driving home through the Cotswold lanes.
Parking and arrival at Toddington
Parking at Toddington is not described on the Santa page. Check the railway's visitor information or call before you travel, and arrive a little before your check-in time.
Accessibility at Toddington
Access details are on a separate page of the GWSR website. Read it before booking and contact the railway if anyone in your group uses a wheelchair or needs help boarding.
Dogs and animals
Only assistance dogs, service dogs and emotional support animals are allowed on the Santa Express. Pets will need to stay at home.
Time at Winchcombe
The stop at Winchcombe lasts about 1 hour 20 minutes, which is generous. Plan the order of things with your children before you arrive: snack, Santa, photos, then the return train. Ask the railway how the grotto visits are timed, so that you know whether your family has a slot or can join a queue at any point during the stop.
What to check on the GWSR booking site
Because prices, the full date list and the conditions all sit on the booking system, a quick check before paying saves surprises. It is worth asking about the free age for babies, the pushchair policy, accessible carriages, refunds and whether the snacks suit children with allergies.
A North Pole kit for Winchcombe
The steam ride is short but the stop at Winchcombe is long, so pack for an hour and a half on a winter platform.
- Warm, waterproof layers for the time at Winchcombe
- Hats, gloves and scarves for the platform
- Your booking confirmation with the check-in time
- Food for babies under 12 months, who are not listed for the snack
- Pencils for the activity book on the ride home
- A charged phone for the photo opportunities
- A bag for the gift and activity book
- A sling, until you have checked the pushchair rules
- A flask of something warm for parents who skip the mulled wine
The GWSR Santa Express by numbers
- 10 to 15 minutes: each leg of the steam ride
- About 1 hour 20 minutes: the stop at Winchcombe
- 9am to 5pm: the event hours on Santa days
- 14 miles (23 km): the length of restored track
- 693 yards (634 m): Greet Tunnel
- 1981: the year the GWSR company was formed
- 1987: the year trains returned to Winchcombe
- 2018: the year the line reached Broadway, on 30 March
- 700 yards (640 m): the first relaid track at Toddington in 1984
Getting to Toddington from Cheltenham and Gloucester
Toddington station is in open countryside north of Winchcombe, best reached by car; drive times below are approximate without traffic.
| From | Drive time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Cheltenham | about 25 minutes |
| Gloucester | about 35 minutes |
More Santa trains near the Cotswolds
These are the nearest alternatives in our UK guide if the GWSR is fully booked.
- Severn Valley Railway Santa trains from Kidderminster Kidderminster, West Midlands
- Cranmore's South Pole Santa trains in Somerset Cranmore, South West England
- Great Central Railway Santa trains at Loughborough Loughborough, East Midlands
More for Christmas train families
GWSR Santa Express at Toddington: questions from parents
When does the GWSR Santa Express run in 2026?
It runs on selected dates from Saturday 28 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026, including 28 and 29 November and 5, 6, 12 and 13 December. The full list is on the booking system.
How much is the GWSR Santa Express?
Prices are not on the event page. They are shown on the GWSR's vTicket booking system.
How do I book the Toddington Santa Express?
Book online through the GWSR's vTicket site. Only pre-booked passengers can travel, and the railway advises booking early.
Is there a Santa Express on Christmas Eve at Toddington?
No. The 2026 season ends on Wednesday 23 December.
Do babies travel free on the GWSR Santa Express?
The page does not state a free age. Check the ticket types on the booking system or ask the railway.
How long is the GWSR Santa Express trip?
The steam ride takes about 10 to 15 minutes each way, with about 1 hour 20 minutes at Winchcombe in between.
Where does the GWSR Santa Express leave from?
All Santa trains leave from Toddington station in Gloucestershire and run to the North Pole at Winchcombe.
Is there parking at Toddington for the Santa Express?
Parking is not described on the Santa page. Check the railway's visitor information before you travel.
Can I take a pushchair on the GWSR Santa train?
The GWSR Santa page does not cover buggies. Ask the railway whether pushchairs can travel or should stay at Toddington.
Are there toilets at Toddington and Winchcombe?
Facilities are not described on the Santa page. Ask the railway about toilets and baby changing.
Is the GWSR Santa train heated?
Heating is not mentioned. Dress warmly, as part of the stop at Winchcombe may be outdoors.
Where is Santa on the GWSR Santa Express?
Santa is in his grotto at Winchcombe, which becomes the North Pole for the season.
What do children get on the Toddington Santa Express?
Every child gets a gift and an activity book, and children aged 12 months and over get a snack and a drink.
Do adults get anything on the GWSR Santa Express?
Yes. Adults are offered a hot drink and a mince pie, and mulled wine is mentioned.
Which GWSR Santa time is best with a baby?
A morning check-in usually suits babies best, and the short 10 to 15-minute ride is gentle for a first steam train.
When did the GWSR reopen to Winchcombe?
The heritage railway reached Winchcombe in 1987, six years after the company was formed in 1981.
Why does Winchcombe station look so old?
The station was reconstructed using the former station building from Monmouth Troy, moved to Winchcombe.
Is there a Christmas market near Toddington in 2026?
Cheltenham Christmas Market runs on the Promenade from 10 to 23 December 2026, according to Visit Cheltenham, about 25 minutes' drive away.
Are there other Santa trains near Cheltenham and Birmingham besides the GWSR?
Our UK Santa trains hub lists them, including the Severn Valley Railway at Kidderminster, the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore and the Great Central Railway at Loughborough.
Can dogs come on the GWSR Santa Express?
Only assistance dogs, service dogs and emotional support animals are allowed.
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 South West England.
Sources
- Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway: official page (gwsr.com) (opens in a new tab)
- Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (Wikipedia) (opens in a new tab)
- Christmas markets (Visit Cheltenham) (opens in a new tab)
Checked on the railway’s official pages on 4 November 2026. This train is run by Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam 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.
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