Santa by Starlight — East Somerset Railway

The East Somerset Railway's Santa by Starlight is its evening-light version of a visit to Santa. The operator says that seeing Santa under starlight gives an added sparkle to the festive fun at Cranmore, and that the Starlight train departs from Cranmore each day of the event.

On arrival, young guests receive a goody bag containing festive-themed colouring sheets, crayons and a Santa-based family quiz. The party then boards the Special Santa steam train for what the operator calls a delightful 30-minute trip to the South Pole.

When the train returns to Cranmore, Santa's elves are there to greet passengers. While you wait to see Santa there are festive refreshments of mulled wine and warming hot dogs, and each child then gets special time in Santa's grotto to tell him how good they have been and receive a gift. The railway is run from Cranmore Station near Shepton Mallet, with a 2.5-mile line through the Mendip countryside.

A goody bag for young guests, a 30-minute steam train trip to the "South Pole", festive refreshments of mulled wine and hot dogs while you wait, and time in Santa's grotto where children receive a gift.

Departs from Cranmore Railway Station, Cranmore, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4QP, about three miles from Shepton Mallet. There is a large free car park with six Blue Badge spaces about 50 m from the station entrance. Flat access to the platform is by the lane to the right of the main car park entrance, which is signed no entry but which the operator says to follow; there are a couple of disabled spaces and a drop-off point at platform level. The station is on two floors, with 16 stone steps from the patio level to the platform and ticket office. Toilets and the Station Café are at car park level, with another toilet at platform level. The heritage carriages cannot seat wheelchairs or mobility scooters in the main carriages; the operator has an adapted carriage reached by a ramp and asks you to phone 01749 880417 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm) if you have several wheelchair users.