Festive Express — Bure Valley Railway

The Bure Valley Railway runs its Festive Express from Aylsham Station in Norfolk. The operator calls it a true family favourite that takes place on specific dates throughout December, and says the ticket includes the steam train journey, a visit to Santa, a personalised present for every child and a snack box of festive treats, with no hidden costs.

The experience begins at the station, which is decorated with lights and festive touches. Passengers board for a 30-minute steam train journey to Brampton and back, with the chance to watch the locomotive run round the train before returning to Aylsham. Back at the station, children are welcomed to Santa's sleigh before visiting his grotto to meet Santa and his elves and receive a carefully selected personalised present. The operator says photos in the grotto are welcome and that you can take as many as you like.

The Christmas snack box holds homemade treats, collected from the Whistlestop Café, which can be enjoyed at the station or in the carriage. Aylsham Station has free parking, toilets and baby changing facilities; there are no facilities at Brampton.

A 30-minute steam train ride to Brampton and back, a visit to Santa's grotto with a personalised present for every child, and a Christmas snack box of homemade treats. The operator describes the whole visit as relaxed and about one hour.

Departs from Aylsham Station, Norwich Road, Aylsham, Norfolk NR11 6BW; there is free parking at Aylsham and Wroxham stations. Pre-booking is essential. The snack box is collected from the Whistlestop Café. Toilets and baby changing facilities are at Aylsham Station but not at Brampton. The stations, facilities and carriages are wheelchair accessible. Space for buggies on trains is limited, so the operator recommends collapsible pushchairs where possible.