Santa's Steam Train Adventure — Aln Valley Railway

Santa's Steam Train Adventure runs at the Aln Valley Railway, from Lionheart Station near Alnwick in Northumberland. The operator, the Aln Valley Railway Trust, says the ticketing is handled by Fox & Edwards Events, which describes a return steam train journey of about 55 minutes.

The journey begins at Lionheart Station, where Mother Christmas and her elves welcome passengers on board a festive steam train, with a Christmas story book for every child. Santa himself makes his way through the train with a quality plush gift for every child on his nice list, and there is live entertainment from Santa, Mother Christmas and the elves.

Children also receive a complimentary juice drink and baked treat and a bespoke Christmas activity book, and every adult a mince pie. Passengers can choose open seating, where each booking gets its own table, or a traditional private compartment of bench seats with walls and a sliding door, for up to four, six or eight people. At the station the cafe serves winter warmers, the miniature railway is open when the weather allows and there are gift shops and festive music.

A 55-minute return steam train journey with live entertainment from Santa, Mother Christmas and the elves, a plush gift and an activity book for each child, a juice and baked treat for children and a mince pie for adults. The operator recommends wrapping up warm. There are toilets at the station but not on the train.

Departs from Lionheart Station, Lionheart Enterprise Park, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2EZ, where car parking is available. Tickets are bought online in advance, through the booking page that the railway's ticket shop links to. Open seating gives each booking its own table; private compartments are priced for four, six or eight people and the stated number is the maximum, except that one infant per compartment may sit on a knee. An optional Festive Treat Tin can be added. Dogs are not allowed on this journey, except assistance dogs. Full toilet facilities are at Lionheart Station and there are none on board; the operator says there is limited heating on the steam train.