Santa Special — Talyllyn Railway

The Talyllyn Railway runs a Santa Special from Tywyn Wharf in Gwynedd, Wales. The operator's story is that Santa has lost his way to the North Pole and has stopped off in Gwynedd to let Rudolph and the other reindeer rest. Passengers step aboard Santa's special train and are carried to Plas Nadolig, nestled in ancient woodland.

Each child has a chance to talk to Father Christmas and receive a gift from him, and also receives a cookie or a mince pie. Parents are offered mulled wine.

King's Cafe at Tywyn Wharf is open with festive refreshments for purchase, and complimentary mince pies and mulled wine are included with the ticket. The railway is a registered charity and runs several other Christmas events, which are separate tickets.

A train ride from Tywyn Wharf to Plas Nadolig, where each child talks to Father Christmas and receives a gift and a cookie or mince pie. Complimentary mince pies and mulled wine are included in the ticket, and the cafe at Tywyn Wharf sells festive refreshments.

Trains leave from Tywyn Wharf station, Tywyn, Gwynedd LL36 9EY. The operator asks passengers to arrive at Tywyn Wharf no later than 15 minutes before the Santa Special is due to leave. A separate under-2 ticket exists, and dogs need their own ticket. Tickets are booked on the railway's website; enquiries 01654 710472.