A steam return trip of about an hour and three quarters from Aviemore into the Cairngorms National Park, with Santa, his elves and a gift for every child from ten months. How the tables, tickets and dates work in 2026.

A round trip of just under an hour from Stanhope down the dale to Wolsingham, with Santa on board and a gift for every child. Tickets, dates and what to ask the Santa Express team.

Every 2026 North Pole Express departure at the Tanfield Railway is sold out. Here is what the trip includes, the Mince Pie Specials still running after Christmas, and the nearest Santa trains with seats.

Festive activities inside the railway museum, Mother Christmas and her elves on the train, and Santa with a gift at the end. Dates, price and how booking works for December 2026.

Forty minutes by miniature steam train up Eskdale to a grotto at Dalegarth, with food at your table and an elf story at the museum. Dates, what is included and what to ask before booking.

A private decorated compartment, a visit from Father Christmas and a ride to the shore of Windermere. Here is what is left for December 2026 and how the day works.

At the Midland Railway Butterley near Ripley, the Santa Special Trains end with a Pinxton Puppet Show in a heated marquee, after a ride of about an hour with Santa and a gift for every child, on dates the railway has confirmed for December 2026.

Peak Rail runs its Santa Special from Rowsley South through the Derwent Valley on nine dates between 5 and 24 December 2026, with tickets sold by the table and Santa visiting every family.

The Great Central Railway Santa Express runs from Loughborough Central between 28 November and 24 December 2026, with a pause on Swithland Viaduct, a grotto stop at Leicester North and a gift for every child.

The East Lancashire Railway runs Santa Specials from Bury Bolton Street to Rawtenstall and back on twelve dates from 28 November to 24 December 2026, with a decorated station walkthrough, a brass band on board and a gift for every child.

The Elf Explorer on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway starts with a 20-minute Elf Show at Oxenhope, then a steam train ride with Father Christmas visiting every family, on twelve dates from 28 November to 24 December 2026.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs its Santa Express from Pickering to Levisham and back on eleven dates between 28 November and 24 December 2026, with a Gingerbread Man show and a plush gift for every child.

From 28 November to 24 December 2026, the Severn Valley Railway's Santa's Steam Specials run from Kidderminster to Arley, where a brand new show, The Recipe for Christmas, plays out on the station. Tables and compartments are booked as a group, and under 2s go free.

From 12 to 22 December 2026, the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway runs narrow-gauge Santa Specials from Llanfair Caereinion, where children choose their own gift with Mrs Claus. There is also a SEND-friendly train on 16 December.

The Llangollen and Corwen Railway's Santa Specials steam up the Dee Valley from Llangollen to a Lapland grotto at Carrog, from Saturday 28 November to Christmas Eve 2026. Here is how the day works and what to check before you book.

Steam Dreams runs its Santa Steam Express out of London Victoria on two Saturdays, 12 and 19 December 2026. A 90-minute steam-hauled trip with Santa, storytelling and a present for every child, and no drive to a heritage line.

The Bure Valley Railway's Festive Express runs on ten December dates in 2026, with a 30-minute narrow-gauge steam ride from Aylsham, a visit to Santa's Grotto and a personalised present. A gentle first Santa train for toddlers.

The North Norfolk Railway runs its Santa Specials from Sheringham along the Poppy Line between 21 November and 23 December 2026. Here is what the day involves, what it costs and how to plan it with young children.

A short steam run from Toddington to Winchcombe, which becomes the North Pole for the season, with Santa waiting in his grotto and a gift and activity book for every child. Selected dates from 28 November to 23 December 2026.

Steam from Bishops Lydeard towards Williton along the Quantock Hills, Santa visiting your table and festive refreshments, with a 4pm departure on the busiest dates. Runs 28 November to 24 December 2026.