Santa Special — Avon Valley Railway

The Avon Valley Railway runs its Santa Special from Bitton Station, on the edge of Bristol. The operator describes a train ride of around fifty minutes during which passengers enjoy a mince pie or festive biscuit and Santa passes through the train to say hello to everyone. Back at Bitton Station, each family group meets Santa again and good children receive a present: the operator says a child can expect a soft toy made specially for the railway.

The railway runs about three miles. The train leaves Bitton for the northern terminus at Oldland Common, where passengers can watch the locomotive run round its carriages, then continues to the southern terminus at Avon Riverside, with another run-round, before returning to Bitton.

A Premium Santa Experience is offered in a first-class carriage, with Santa time without queueing and a hot chocolate (or a mini festive tipple for grown-ups). The operator also says Christmas donkeys are on the lawn at Bitton Station for all Santa Special customers.

A round trip of about 50 to 55 minutes, of which about 24 minutes is spent travelling and about 13 minutes at each end of the line for photographs and to watch the locomotive run round. A mince pie or festive biscuit on board, Santa passing through the train, then a second meeting with Santa on return, a present for each good child and a chance for family photographs. The Christmas donkeys are on the lawn at the station; on the last train of the day the operator asks passengers to see them before boarding.

Bitton Station, Bath Road, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6HD. Standard carriages are booked by compartment of eight seats, with a minimum number of paid tickets per compartment; the two open carriages have tables that may be shared between parties. Wheelchair users, passengers with access needs and smaller parties with SEND children who would benefit from a private compartment should contact the railway's booking office by phone (0117 932 5538). Tickets are sold online through the railway's online ticket page. Railway phone: 0117 332 0435.