Santa Specials — Peak Rail

Peak Rail invites families to start Christmas on Santa's festive steam train, through the Derwent Valley from Rowsley South Station in Derbyshire. The operator says professional entertainers perform during the journey, and that Santa and his railway helpers make their way through the train to meet everyone at their seat.

Santa brings an age-suitable gift for every child. Each child also receives a drink and a snack, while adults are served a glass of wine and a mince pie; dietary requirements can be catered for and bottled water or juice is available on pre-booked request.

Tickets are sold by the table. The operator describes the return journey as lasting about 1 hour 10 minutes. Peak Rail is run by volunteers.

A return steam train journey of about 1 hour 10 minutes with professional entertainers, Santa meeting everyone at their seat, an age-suitable gift for each child, a drink and snack for each child, and a glass of wine and a mince pie for adults.

Trains leave from Rowsley South Station, Harrison Way, Darley Dale, Derbyshire DE4 2LF (station phone 01629 735318). Tickets are sold by table or compartment, never as individual seats; only the specified number of passengers can sit at each table, with up to two children aged 0 to 18 months allowed on a knee per table or compartment. Only assistance dogs are allowed on board. Wheelchair users can only be accommodated in the accessible space in coach F, which takes one party of up to two people plus one wheelchair user per train; contact santa@peakrail.co.uk or 07514 953 353 beforehand.