Santa Specials — Ruislip Lido Railway

The Ruislip Lido Railway, a railway that winds around Ruislip Lido through the ancient woodland of Ruislip Woods in Ruislip, London, runs its Santa Specials on selected days in the weeks before Christmas. The operator says Santa has once again found space in his diary to visit.

The adventure starts at Willow Lawn Station, by the car parks. The train ride, lasting about twelve minutes, carries families through the woods and around the lido to Santa's Grotto at Woody Bay Station, past lights and decorations at both stations and along the track. On arrival Santa waits for a chat with the children and a photo opportunity with the whole family before everyone, grown-ups too, receives a present.

After meeting Santa, visitors can stay at Woody Bay as long as they wish before catching any train back. The operator invites all adult guests to a complimentary hot drink and mince pie at the Turntable Tea Room, and says the event is outdoors, so everyone should be wrapped up warm and dry.

A visit of about 75 minutes: a train ride of about twelve minutes through the lit-up woods to Santa's Grotto at Woody Bay, a chat with Santa and a family photo opportunity, and a present for everyone, adults included. Adult guests are invited to a complimentary hot drink and mince pie at the Turntable Tea Room. It is an outdoor event and there may be a short queue to see Santa.

Trains start from Willow Lawn Station, beside the Willow Lawn car park at Ruislip Lido, Reservoir Road, Ruislip HA4 7TY. Boarding is at the time shown on your ticket. The operator says the event is extremely popular and you must book to guarantee a seat. The railway does not own or manage the car parks, which are run by the London Borough of Hillingdon and charge for parking; the Waters Edge pub car park is for customers only. Ruislip Underground Station is served by the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines, with the H13 bus towards the Lido. All of the railway's trains are wheelchair, pushchair and buggy friendly.