Santa Specials — Swindon & Cricklade Railway

The Swindon & Cricklade Railway, which describes itself as Wiltshire's only standard gauge heritage railway and is built, run and managed entirely by volunteers, runs Santa trains from Blunsdon Station. The operator sells each ticket for one round trip to see Santa, on a named day and train.

The operator says children aged two and over receive a present from Santa as part of their ticket, and that under-twos can receive one too when a present is chosen at booking. The booking form asks for the age of each child and whether the present should suit a girl or a boy.

Santa trains leave from the platform at Blunsdon Station at 30-minute intervals. The number of child tickets is limited on each train, to keep queues short; there is no such limit on accompanying adults. The operator notes that its Santa Specials are very popular and that it takes care not to overwhelm Santa.

One round trip to see Santa on the train and day you book, with a present from Santa for each child aged two and over (and for younger children when a present is chosen at booking). Trains start from the platform at Blunsdon Station; the operator asks passengers to be on the platform at the time shown for their slot and to allow at least 15 minutes to park and walk to it. Blunsdon Station has a cafe, a shop, museums and a free car park.

Blunsdon Station, Tadpole Lane, Swindon SN25 2DA, where the railway's cafe, shop and free car park are. Booking is essential: tickets are valid only for the day and train booked, online ticketing for each day closes at 8:30 pm the day before, and a ticket without a booking is possible only if spare child tickets remain at departure (extra adult or senior tickets for an existing booking can be bought on the day). The booking confirmation e-mail is the ticket. Wheelchair users ride in the accessible coach and may be accompanied by one carer on the same ticket free of charge. Only assistance dogs are allowed on the Santa Specials. Members' passes, prize-draw vouchers and season passes are not valid. Booking e-mail: bookings@swindon-cricklade-railway.org.