Father Christmas at Perrygrove

Perrygrove Railway, a steam railway at Coleford in the Forest of Dean, runs its Father Christmas event on selected days before Christmas. The operator calls it a magical family Christmas experience: visitors take their seats with a seasonal drink in the Carriage Shed Theatre for an interactive show in which Mrs Claus and an elf need the children's help to persuade Santa to come down the chimney.

Every child sees Father Christmas and receives an age-appropriate gift. The ticket also includes unlimited rides on the Christmas Express through the Forest of Dean, as many times as you like, and the operator says its all-weather attractions are included too: the Twilight Village indoor hide-and-seek, the Foxy Hollow covered playground, a tunnel maze, the Treetop Adventure and woodland walks with den building. Outdoor play areas close at 4pm for safety reasons.

The operator's Platform Café is open all day with coffee, cake, pastries and warming festive drinks. A festive treat box can be pre-ordered with the booking. The operator says advance booking is essential because this experience always sells out.

Unlimited rides on the Christmas Express through the Forest of Dean, an interactive show of about 25 minutes in the Carriage Shed Theatre with Mrs Claus, an elf and Father Christmas, an age-appropriate gift for every child, and indoor and covered play areas. Pushchairs and dogs are welcome on site but not inside the theatre.

Perrygrove Railway, Coleford, Gloucestershire GL16 8QB. Your ticket covers the full Christmas programme: trains, play and the theatre show. The site opens in the morning and outdoor play areas close at 4pm for safety reasons. Advance booking is essential; the operator says this experience always sells out. A baby in arms travels free and has no seat, but the operator asks you to book that ticket as well so that a present can be allocated. Pushchairs are welcome on site but not inside the Carriage Shed Theatre, where buggy parking is provided outside. Dogs are welcome at Perrygrove but not inside the theatre. A festive treat box can be pre-ordered only; the operator cannot cater for allergens. The Platform Café is open all day. Phone 01594 834991.