Santa Special — Rudyard Lake Railway

The Rudyard Lake Railway, a narrow-gauge line beside Rudyard Lake near Leek in Staffordshire, runs the Santa Special. The experience starts at Rudyard station, where there is a free car park.

After check-in, guests board a specially illuminated train for a 10-minute ride to see Santa arriving by boat on the reservoir. After a brief ride back to The Dam station, they alight and walk about 80 metres across the dam to visit Santa in his grotto, then return to Rudyard by steam train.

The operator says children receive a soft drink, a biscuit or a mince pie, a visit to the grotto and a present. Adults receive a sherry, mulled wine or a soft drink, a mince pie or a biscuit, and the grotto visit. The experience lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes.

The carriages are small and seating is in compartments of four and two, allocated exclusively to families.

About 60 to 90 minutes: a 10-minute ride on an illuminated train to see Santa arrive by boat, a brief ride back to The Dam station, an 80-metre walk across the dam to Santa's grotto, and a steam train back to Rudyard. Children get a soft drink, a biscuit or a mince pie and a present; adults a drink and a mince pie or biscuit.

Starts at Rudyard station, Rudyard Road, Rudyard, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 8PF, which has a free car park. The start time on your ticket is ten minutes before the train departs, and the operator cannot hold the train for latecomers. Seating is in compartments of four and two, allocated exclusively to families; the carriages are small (a double seat is about 82 cm wide). Children under one are admitted free but need a free ticket, have no allocated seat and sit on laps. Present details are requested when booking.