Santa Special — Mid-Suffolk Light Railway

The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, known as the "Middy", is Suffolk's only standard gauge heritage railway. Its Santa Special sends steam trains from Brockford Station to "North Pole Halt", where each child has an individual visit to Santa in his Christmas Guards Van. The stations are decorated in a Christmas style.

The operator says the trip to see Santa lasts approximately 35 minutes. The coaches are genuine Great Eastern Railway Victorian four-wheelers, which are not heated, so the operator asks visitors to wrap up warm.

Children aged 1 to 10 each receive an age-appropriate present, and grown-ups are given a complimentary cup of festive mulled wine on their return. Afterwards visitors can browse Christmas craft stalls and buy hot drinks and snacks from the cafe. The event is aimed at children up to 10 years old.

A steam train trip of approximately 35 minutes to "North Pole Halt", an individual visit to Santa in his Guards Van, a present for each child aged 1 to 10 and a cup of mulled wine for grown-ups on the return. The coaches are not heated: wrap up warm.

Trains leave from Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 5PW. Tickets are sold in advance through the operator's Book Tickets page and are not sold at the ticket office on the day. Every booking must include at least one adult and one child over age 1; children under 1 travel free but do not receive a present. Wheelchair-accessible tickets are sold online: wheelchair access is in the Guards Van, which carries the wheelchair user and one other person, while the rest of the party travels in an adjacent, separate compartment and the whole party can meet Santa together at North Pole Halt. The operator asks for specific requirements by email. Dogs are welcome in all carriages except the large compartment and are not allowed on upholstered seats. Events email: events@mslr.org.uk.