Ticket to Christmas

The Vale of Rheidol Railway runs Ticket to Christmas as a Christmas experience for families. It starts with a 50-minute return journey on a historic steam train, the Santa Special, to Capel Bangor and back, with Christmas elves interacting with passengers along the way.

The train then arrives at the Engine Shed Museum, where an hour-long immersive Christmas experience is set among the historic steam locomotives. Families move through interactive zones: the Wish Station, where wishes are written and hung on the Christmas tree; the Toymakers Workshop, with hands-on activities for Santa's elves; Mrs Claus' Living Room; and Santa's Grotto. Children collect stamps in an Elf Passport as they complete the activities, and can write a Christmas wish list and post it to Santa.

Every child receives a Christmas gift from Santa, and the operator says there is a small festive surprise for the grown-ups too. Elf Passports and activity sheets are available in Welsh and English.

A 50-minute steam train return to Capel Bangor, then about an hour of interactive Christmas activities at the Engine Shed Museum, finishing with a meeting with Santa. The operator gives an approximate event duration of about two hours.

Booking is through the railway's online booking system, linked from the event page. The railway says disabled parking is available with level access to all of its facilities, including the grotto in the Engine Shed Museum; contact the railway before booking with any access needs. The railway's contact telephone is 01970 625819.