Few Santa trains in England start a few minutes' walk from the sea: the North Norfolk Railway's Santa Specials leave Sheringham and climb the Poppy Line inland towards Holt, with Santa, a wrapped present for each child and the twinkling Santa Land light displays. It is one of the earliest starts in the region, on Saturday 21 November 2026, and you will find the other options across the country in our UK Santa train guide for 2026.
The short version
- Season: selected dates from Saturday 21 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026
- Departs: Sheringham station, running towards Holt via Weybourne
- Fares from: £8 for an under 1 with no seat; seated tickets from £24.25 per person
- Booking: advance only, and every party needs at least one paying child
- Tip: pushchairs cannot go on the train, so bring a sling for babies
North Norfolk Railway Santa Specials at a glance
- Railway
- North Norfolk Railway
- Departs from
- Sheringham (North Norfolk Railway), running to Holt via Weybourne
- 2026 dates
- Selected dates from Saturday 21 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026. Dates named on the railway's homepage: 21, 22, 28 and 29 November and 5 December. Further December dates appear in the booking calendar.
- Times
- Departure times are shown when you book; check the booking calendar.
- Duration
- About 1 hour 45 minutes
- Fares
- Per person, from: under 1 (no seat) £8.00; private compartment for up to 8 from £24.25; Standard from £27.50; First from £31.00; First compartment for up to 6 from £31.50. There is no separate child or adult rate.
- Booking
- Advance booking essential. Every group must include at least one paying child (no all-adult parties). No concessions. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable, with optional protection cover. Online booking closes at 11.59pm the day before; same-day bookings by phone on 01263 820800. Nothing on the NNR calendar was shown as sold out on 4 November 2026.
- 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.
From the Sheringham platform to Santa Land: how the morning unfolds
Arriving at Sheringham and leaving the buggy behind
Your day starts at the North Norfolk Railway's Sheringham station, the seaside end of the line. The first job for families with little ones is practical: pushchairs are not allowed on the Santa Specials, so the railway asks you to leave them at Sheringham station before you board. If your youngest still naps in the buggy, plan for a carrier or a sling and a little extra arm strength.
Booking is by seat class, so check your confirmation for whether you are in Standard, First, a private compartment for up to eight or a First compartment for up to six. A private compartment suits a family group with grandparents, as you get your own little room on the train and the children can bounce about without disturbing anyone. Standard seating is the most common choice for a family of three or four, and First gives you a little more comfort for a small premium per person.
Arrive with enough time to find your carriage calmly. The railway does not print a recommended arrival time on its Santa page, so ask when you book; on a busy December weekend a relaxed start makes all the difference to small children who are already giddy about Santa.
Steam along the Poppy Line towards Holt
The train runs inland from Sheringham through Weybourne and on towards Holt, a route the railway calls the Poppy Line. The whole experience lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes, which is long enough to feel like a proper outing and short enough for most toddlers.
The treats are split by age. Grown-ups get a mince pie and a glass of mulled cider, while children get gingerbread and a hot chocolate. Every child also receives an activity booklet, which is a good way to fill the quieter stretches between the excitements. Gingerbread on a moving train is a crumb factory, so a packet of wipes in your coat pocket is a kindness to yourself.
Santa, his presents and the entertainers
The big moment is meeting Santa, and each child receives a wrapped present from him. The railway lists balloon modellers and entertainers as part of the programme too, so expect some silliness and probably a balloon sword or two heading home with you.
The railway does not set out on its page exactly where on the journey Santa appears, so do not promise the children a precise moment; let it be a surprise for everyone.
The lights of Santa Land
Santa Land is the North Norfolk Railway's name for its light displays and photo spots. Bring a charged phone, as this is where most families take the picture that ends up on the fridge. The railway does not say on its Santa page how long you can linger at the displays, so if you want time for photographs with grandparents, ask when you book.
Picking your Poppy Line Santa date, from a first Christmas to a seven-year-old
Babies under one
An under 1 with no seat costs £8, and you hold your baby on your lap. Because pushchairs stay at Sheringham, a sling is the single most useful thing you can bring. A private compartment gives you space to feed and change your baby away from the busier carriages, which some parents find worth the extra.
Preschoolers on the Poppy Line
This is the sweet spot for this ride. At about 1 hour 45 minutes it has enough variety (steam, entertainers, Santa, gingerbread, lights) to keep a three-year-old busy without running into a meltdown. The late November dates, starting on 21 November, are usually quieter than the final weekends before Christmas, and give you the festive feeling early.
Older children on the Poppy Line
Children of six and over who have outgrown the magic a little often enjoy the steam engine itself more than Santa. Booking a First compartment for up to six means older siblings can look out of the window in peace. The activity booklet and the balloon modellers help keep them involved.
Budget and weather on the Poppy Line
Every passenger who takes a seat pays the same per-person rate, starting from £24.25 in a private compartment for eight and £27.50 in Standard. There are no concessions and no child discount, so a family of four in Standard pays from £110 in total. The North Norfolk coast can be raw in December, with a cold wind off the sea, so a late November date is often milder, though nothing is guaranteed in Norfolk.
The final run of dates, up to Wednesday 23 December, has the strongest Christmas atmosphere but is also when families from all over the county want to travel. If you have your heart set on a particular weekend, book as early as you can; availability can change quickly once December arrives.
If you are travelling a long way, compare it with the shorter Santa Steam Express that leaves from London Victoria, which needs no car at all for families in the capital.
How a Victorian seaside branch became the Poppy Line
The tracks between Sheringham and Holt were once part of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway, a network that crossed north Norfolk to bring holidaymakers to the coast. The section from Melton to Holt opened first, in 1884, and the line was continued from Holt to Cromer three years later. A station at Weybourne followed in 1903, and today Weybourne is the home of the railway's locomotive and carriage works.
Most of the Midland and Great Northern closed to passengers in February 1959. Enthusiasts reacted quickly, forming a preservation society that same year, and in 1963 North Norfolk Railways Limited was set up to save and run what was left. Passenger services between Melton Constable and Sheringham were ended by government approval in April 1964, in the wave of cuts that followed the Beeching Report.
The volunteers reopened the line to the public in 1975, running between Sheringham and Weybourne. Kelling Heath halt opened in 1983, and by 1989 trains were running as far as High Kelling near Holt. In 2010 the heritage line was reconnected to the national railway network at Sheringham, so occasional visiting trains can now reach it. The line is built to standard gauge, the same as on the original railway, and runs for about 5¼ miles.
The railway you ride today is the result of more than six decades of volunteer effort, from laying track to restoring carriages at Weybourne.
Kelling Heath is worth pointing out to children as you pass: the little platform there sits on the climb up from the coast, and it was only added by the volunteers in 1983. Weybourne station, by contrast, has stood since 1903.
- 1884The Melton to Holt section of the line opens on 1 October.
- 1887The railway is extended from Holt to Cromer, opening on 16 June.
- 1903Weybourne station is added to the line.
- 1959Most of the Midland and Great Northern closes to passengers; a preservation society forms in April.
- 1963North Norfolk Railways Limited is formed to preserve and operate the line.
- 1975The heritage railway reopens to the public between Sheringham and Weybourne.
- 1983Kelling Heath halt opens.
- 1989Trains reach High Kelling near Holt.
- 2010The line is reconnected to the national rail network at Sheringham.
To tell a six-year-old: a long time ago this railway took people to the seaside, then it was closed, and a group of friends who loved trains worked for years to bring the steam engines back so that you could ride with Santa.
Sheringham, Cromer and the coast after your Santa trip
Sheringham is a proper little seaside town, and in December the beach and promenade are bracing but lovely for a quick run about after a morning on the train. Cromer, famous for its pier, is about 10 minutes away by car, and makes an easy second stop for a walk and fish and chips. Norwich is around 45 minutes' drive if you want to combine the trip with a city day.
The railway also runs a Christmas Lunch train on 3 December 2026, which is aimed at grown-ups rather than children; worth knowing if grandparents want their own festive outing.
We have not found a confirmed 2026 Christmas market in Sheringham itself with dates, so please check the town council or local listings before you plan around one. For more family ideas around the country, our festive family days out we have checked across Britain page gathers what we have checked so far.
If you are staying in Norfolk for a few days, the narrow gauge Bure Valley Festive Express at Aylsham is only about half an hour inland and makes a very different, smaller-scale outing for toddlers. Further afield, the Great Central Railway's Santa Express at Loughborough is the next big steam railway to the west, if you are heading towards the Midlands for Christmas.
Holt, at the other end of the line, is a small Georgian market town with independent shops, and many families like to browse there for stocking fillers. Opening times change around Christmas, so check before you set off. A winter picnic is rarely fun on this coast, so book a café table for lunch if you are visiting on a Saturday in December. On a dry afternoon, the cliffs and beach between Sheringham and Cromer are perfect for letting children burn off the gingerbread.
North Norfolk Railway Santa notes for parents
Pushchairs at Sheringham
Pushchairs are not allowed on the Santa Specials and have to stay at Sheringham station. Ask the railway when you book where exactly to leave them and whether the area is covered. Remember that you will be carrying your baby and bags on and off the train.
Toilets at Sheringham
Toilets on the train are limited, and there are more at the stations. Take children to the loo at Sheringham before you board, especially if they have been drinking hot chocolate in the car. The railway's page does not mention baby changing on board, so ask at the station where the nearest changing facilities are.
Heating on the Poppy Line
The railway does not mention heating on its Santa page. Vintage carriages vary, so ask when booking whether your carriage is heated, and dress children in layers either way. Layers are easy to peel off if the compartment is warm, and you will want coats back on for the Santa Land light displays.
Accessibility at Sheringham
Many trains have an accessible compartment with room for two wheelchairs plus four companions. This has to be booked by phone, not online, on 01263 820800. If anyone in your party has other access needs, mention them on the phone so the team can advise on boarding at Sheringham.
Tickets and refunds at Sheringham
Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable, although you can add optional protection cover when you book. There are no concessions, and every booking must include at least one paying child, so adult-only groups cannot book. Online booking closes at 11.59pm the day before; if you decide on the day, phone the railway.
Arrival, parking and times
Departure times appear in the booking calendar rather than on the Santa page. The page does not cover parking either, so ask the railway where to park at Sheringham and how early to arrive. Sheringham also has a national rail station, so arriving by train from Norwich is worth considering. If you drive, allow for slower roads along the coast on winter weekends.
Dogs on the Poppy Line
Only assistance dogs are allowed on the Santa Specials, so the family dog will need to stay at home.
Shy children and Santa
If your child is wary of strangers in costume, tell them in advance that Santa will come by and that they can stay on your lap. Many shy toddlers are happier watching Santa chat to a sibling first, then accepting their present once they have seen there is nothing to fear.
Weather on the day
The Santa Specials run in winter conditions on the coast, and the page does not say what happens in severe weather. If snow or storms are forecast, phone the railway on 01263 820800 before you set off.
A Poppy Line Santa bag for the Norfolk coast
Pack light, because you will be carrying everything without a buggy.
- A sling or baby carrier instead of the pushchair
- Windproof coats and hats for the Sheringham platform
- A small bag for the wrapped present and balloon creations
- Pencils or crayons for the activity booklet
- A charged phone for the Santa Land photo spots
- Wipes for gingerbread fingers
- A spare layer in case your carriage is chilly
- Your booking confirmation on paper or phone
- Hand warmers for time at the Santa Land lights
The Sheringham Santa Specials in numbers
- About 5¼ miles (8.4 km): length of the North Norfolk Railway
- 1884: year the first section of the original line opened
- 1975: year the heritage railway reopened to the public
- Standard gauge: 4 ft 8½ in, the same as the original line
- About 1 hour 45 minutes: length of the Santa experience
- 21 November: first Santa Special date of 2026
- 8: maximum party size for a private compartment
Getting to Sheringham from Norwich and the Cromer coast
Sheringham is about 45 minutes' drive from Norwich and about 10 minutes from Cromer, without traffic. There is also a national rail station in Sheringham with trains from Norwich.
| From | Drive time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Norwich | about 45 minutes |
| Cromer | about 10 minutes |
More Christmas trains within reach of north Norfolk
These are the nearest other Santa trains in our UK guide, starting with the miniature steam railway just inland.
- Bure Valley Railway's 15-inch Festive Express from Aylsham Aylsham, East of England
- Great Central Railway Santa Express in Leicestershire Loughborough, East Midlands
- Midland Railway Butterley Santa Specials in Derbyshire Ripley, East Midlands
More for Christmas train families
North Norfolk Railway Santa Special: questions from parents
When do the North Norfolk Railway Santa Specials run in 2026?
They run on selected dates from Saturday 21 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026. The railway names 21, 22, 28 and 29 November and 5 December on its homepage, and the remaining December dates are in the booking calendar.
How much does the Sheringham Santa train cost?
Seated tickets start from £24.25 per person in a private compartment for up to 8, £27.50 in Standard, £31.00 in First and £31.50 in a First compartment for up to 6. Babies under 1 without a seat cost £8.
Is there a child price on the North Norfolk Railway Santa Special?
No. The railway charges the same per-person rate for adults and children, and does not offer concessions.
How do I book the Poppy Line Santa train?
Book in advance through the North Norfolk Railway's online ticket system. Online sales close at 11.59pm the day before, and same-day bookings can be made by phone on 01263 820800.
Can adults ride the North Norfolk Railway Santa Special without children?
No. Every booking must include at least one paying child, so adult-only parties are not accepted.
How long is the Santa Special from Sheringham?
The experience lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Where does the North Norfolk Railway Santa train leave from?
It leaves from the North Norfolk Railway's station in Sheringham and runs towards Holt via Weybourne. Ask the railway about parking when you book, or arrive by national rail at Sheringham.
Can I take a pushchair on the Sheringham Santa train?
No. Pushchairs are not allowed on board and must be left at Sheringham station, so bring a sling or carrier for babies.
Are there toilets on the North Norfolk Railway Santa Specials?
There are limited toilets on the train and more at the stations, so a loo stop at Sheringham before boarding is a good idea.
Are the North Norfolk Railway Santa carriages heated?
The railway's Santa page does not say. Ask when you book and dress children in warm layers just in case.
Does every child get a present on the Sheringham Santa Special?
Yes. Each child meets Santa and receives a wrapped present, plus gingerbread, a hot chocolate and an activity booklet.
What do adults get on the North Norfolk Railway Santa train?
Adults are offered a mince pie and mulled cider.
Which Sheringham Santa departure is best with a baby?
Any departure works, but an early date in late November tends to be calmer, and a private compartment gives you space to feed and settle a baby.
What is Santa Land on the North Norfolk Railway?
Santa Land is the railway's set of Christmas light displays and photo spots that form part of the Santa Special experience.
What will the weather be like for the Sheringham Santa train?
December on the north Norfolk coast is often cold and windy. Bring windproof coats and hats for time on the platform.
Why is the North Norfolk Railway called the Poppy Line?
Poppy Line is the name the railway uses for itself. The route between Sheringham and Holt was once part of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway.
When did the North Norfolk Railway reopen?
Volunteers reopened the line to the public in 1975 between Sheringham and Weybourne, and trains reached High Kelling near Holt in 1989.
What else can we do near Sheringham after the Santa train?
Sheringham's seafront is good for a winter walk, and Cromer with its pier is about 10 minutes' drive away. Norwich is around 45 minutes by car.
Are there other Christmas trains near Norwich besides the North Norfolk Railway?
Yes. The Bure Valley Railway at Aylsham runs a 15-inch gauge Festive Express, and our UK Santa train guide lists more across the country.
Can we bring a dog or a wheelchair on the Sheringham Santa Special?
Dogs are limited to assistance dogs. Many trains have an accessible compartment for two wheelchairs plus four companions, which must be booked by phone on 01263 820800.
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
- North Norfolk Railway: official page (nnrailway.co.uk) (opens in a new tab)
- North Norfolk Railway: official page (nnrailway.co.uk) (opens in a new tab)
- North Norfolk Railway (Wikipedia) (opens in a new tab)
Checked on the railway’s official pages on 4 November 2026. This train is run by North Norfolk 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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