Santa Express — West Somerset Railway

The West Somerset Railway runs its Santa Express as a Christmas family favourite on festively decorated heritage carriages. From Bishops Lydeard the steam-hauled journey runs through the Quantock Hills to Williton and back; from Minehead it runs along the Exmoor coast to Williton and back.

A gift from Santa and festive refreshments are waiting at each table once passengers board. During the journey to Williton, Santa visits all his guests.

Because seats on each train are limited and demand is expected to be high, the operator says all tickets must be booked in advance. Dietary requirements should be given when booking. The railway also runs other festive services, including a carol train, festive dining on the Quantock Belle and a Christmas market at Minehead station, which are listed on its Christmas events page.

A steam-hauled return journey to Williton with Santa visiting every guest, a gift from Santa and festive refreshments at your table. Passengers in a booking are seated together; seats face forwards for one leg of the journey and backwards for the other.

Trains depart from Bishops Lydeard Station (sat nav postcode TA4 3RU; the car park has a 2.1 m height barrier; arrive at least 45 minutes before departure) or from Minehead Station (postcode TA24 5BG; council pay and display car park outside the station). All tickets must be booked in advance. Carers travel free with a fare-paying passenger and have a seat only; proof of eligibility is required. Four accessible spaces are available on each train for passengers who stay in their wheelchair. Only assistance dogs are permitted on the festive services. Ticket prices can vary by date.