Santa Specials — Leighton Buzzard Railway

The Leighton Buzzard Railway, which calls itself England's Friendly Little Line, is a narrow-gauge heritage railway in Bedfordshire. For its Santa Specials the operator says it becomes a winter wonderland: families board heritage carriages at Page's Park Station for a 25-minute return steam train journey along the suburban line to Leedon Loop.

Adults are given complimentary mince pies and warming fruit punch, and there are biscuits for young passengers. Back at Page's Park, families follow the path to Santa's Grotto, where every child aged 12 and under receives a high-quality, age-appropriate gift. The operator says to allow up to an hour for the train ride and the grotto visit.

The railway also runs Quiet Trains for passengers with special educational needs on selected departures, and Glow in the Dark Specials after sunset in the final week before Christmas. On those evening trains hot chocolate replaces the fruit punch, every passenger gets a giant marshmallow to toast over the station fire pit, and a glow stick is handed out to activate on board. The fire pit closes after the final departure of the day.

A 25-minute steam train ride, then Santa's Grotto where each child aged 12 and under receives a gift; allow up to an hour in all. Mince pies and fruit punch for adults and biscuits for children are included. On the evening Glow in the Dark trains, hot chocolate, a marshmallow to toast on the fire pit and a glow stick replace the daytime refreshments, and the operator advises arriving early enough to toast the marshmallow before train time.

Trains leave from Page's Park Station, Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 4TG, on the eastern side of Billington Road beside the public park of the same name, with free all-weather car parking. The operator says its Santa Specials are a highlight of the Bedfordshire calendar, frequently sell out and should be booked early; newsletter subscribers often get priority booking. Only assistance dogs are permitted on the Santa Specials because of limited space. Priority parking is available outside the station for customers with special mobility needs, and two of the railway's coaches can be adapted for wheelchairs: book online and choose a wheelchair ticket, as space is limited. The operator says there are ramps to most facilities, dedicated toilets in the buffet building and main building, baby changing facilities, and that the Guard looks after buggies during the journey, space permitting.