Santa Express 2025

Booking information

Tickets are available ONLINE ONLY - please do not call, message or email to make a booking as we will not be able to help.

Seats on the train are allocated. If you wish to sit together the only way to guarantee this is to make 1 booking for the whole party. If you wish to add other guests to an existing booking please give us a call on 01484 865727 where we can check availability, add on the extra guests and take payment.

The time you are selecting is your TRAIN DEPARTURE TIME

Please be on the platform 15 minutes before your departure time.

Please DO NOT BE LATE as we maybe unable to accomodate you on a later departure train

NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED ON OUR SANTA EXPRESS SERVICE

Children under the age of 16 MUST be sat in a carriage with an adult.

These services feature illuminations and flashing lights at the stations, on the train and in the grotto. Please consider this when making bookings for those with sensitivities to flashing lights

The last service on Christmas Eve (24 December) features a small fireworks display. Please consider this when making bookings for those with sensitivities to flashing lights and/or loud noises

VOUCHERS, OFFERS, PROMOTIONS, DISCOUNTS ARE NOT VALID FOR THIS EVENT.

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable unless the service is cancelled by Whistlestop Valley. If a service operates as scheduled but a ticket holder is unable to attend/use their tickets, no refund will be given.

Full terms & conditions can be found here: https://www.whistlestopvalley.co.uk/terms-conditions

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SANTA EXPRESS

NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED ON OUR SANTA EXPRESS TRAINS - Service Dogs Accepted

Infant tickets - Under 12 month. Tickets MUST be purchased for any child under the age of 12 month and will recieve an exclusive Whistlestop Valley keepsake gift from Santa in his grotto at Shelley North Pole

The time you select is your train departure time, please be on the platform around 15 minutes before this time.

Please DO NOT BE LATE as we maybe unable to accomodate you on a later departure train

Seats on the train are allocated if you wish to sit together the only way to guarantee this is to make 1 booking for the whole party. If you wish to add other guests to an existing booking please give us a call on 01484 865727 where we can check availability, add on the extra guests and take payment.

What’s happening on the day?

Return steam train ride from Clayton West Station to Shelley North Pole. Your journey begins at Clayton West Station. You may arrive anytime before your train departure time (the time you have selected is your train departure time) to enjoy the facilities at Clayton West station. We do advise if you are not booked on the first departure please arrive after this time to avoid the rush! Train departure times are available on our website.

Clayton West Station: Where your Christmas Adventure Begins:

Magic Show in The Shed at various times of the day between 11am & 5pm Please note The Shed will NOT be open for playing or seating for any of our Christmas events.
Unlimited rides on the Clayton Flyer
Unlimited use of the Jumping Pillow
Crazy Golf. Plesae note the Crazy Golf will clost at 16.30pm due to planning regulations
Pedal Cars. Please note the Pedal cars will close at 16.30pm due to planning regulations.
Unlimited traditional merry-go-round (subject to availabilty, the merry-go-round is not owned by Whistlestop Valley)
Unlimited use of the Playground
North Pole Post office in the Cabin
Photo Opportunity in the Cabin to capture your magical Christmas memories
Gift shop for your last minute Christmas gifts
Firebox Cafe serving a festive menu, hot food will be served one hour before we close.

Shelley - North Pole

One-on-one meeting with Father Christmas in his grotto with a gift for the children
Reindeer food station, make up a bag of magical reindeer food to take home
Write your Christmas wish and hang it on the Wishing Tree in Wishing Tree Wood
Edible festive treat for all guests over 12mths, please select at the time of booking
Complientary festive tipple for all adults, please select at the time of booking
Unlimited juice/water for the children
Look out for Father Christmas’s cheeky elf making Christmas Mischief – see if you can spot them!
Tram platform rides at the North Pole
The Turntable dessert parlour will be open at the North Pole
Colouring crafts in the bottom marquee

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The train ride and visit to Father Christmas lasts approximately two hours (e.g. the 10am train will return at 12pm, the 11.20am train will return at 1.20pm etc.)
Visitors are welcome to arrive from when we open and enjoy the facilities at Clayton West before your journey to Shelley North Pole and are welcome to stay until we close.
If you are travelling on the final departure train of the day the facilities at Clayton West will be closed except for the toilets.
Whistlestop Valley operates a NO TICKET NO ENTRY policy due to the event being all inclusive

Santa Express Timetable & Prices 2025

Saturday 29th November - 10.40am/12.05pm/13.25pm/14.45pm/16.05pm/17.25pm - Adult £25.95 Child 1-16 £29.95 Infant under 12 month £7.95

Sunday 30th November - 10am/11am/12.20pm/13.40pm/15.00pm/16.20pm/17.20pm - Adult £25.95 Child 1-16 £29.95 Infant under 12 month £7.95

Saturday 6th December - 10.40am/12.05pm/13.25pm/14.45pm/16.05pm/17.25pm - Adult £25.95 Child 1-16 £30.95 Infant under 12 month £7.95

Sunday 7th December - 10am/11am/12.20pm/13.40pm/15.00pm/16.20pm/17.20pm - Adult £25.95 Child 1-16 £30.95 Infant under 12 month £7.95

Saturday 13th December - 10.40am/12.05pm/13.25pm/14.45pm/16.05pm/17.25pm - Adult £25.95 Child 1-16 £30.95 Infant under 12 month £7.95

Sunday 14th December - 10am/11am/12.20pm/13.40pm/15.00pm/16.20pm/17.20pm - Adult £25.95 Child 1-16 £30.95 Infant under 12 month £7.95

Friday 19th December - 10am/10.40am/12.05pm/13.25pm/14.45pm/16.05pm/17.25pm - Adult 26.95 Child 1-16 £31.95 Infant under 12 month £7.95

Saturday 20th December - 10am/11am/12.20pm/13.40pm/15.00pm/16.20pm/17.20pm - Adult £26.95 Child 1-16 £31.95 Infant under 12 month £7.95

Sunday 21st December - 10am/11am/12.20pm/13.40pm/15.00pm/16.20pm/17.20pm - Adult £26.95 Child 1-16 £31.95 Infant under 12 month £7.95

Monday 22nd December - 10am/11am/12.20pm/13.40pm/15.00pm/16.20pm/17.20pm - Adult £26.95 Child 1-16 £31.95 Infant under 12 month £7.95

Tuesday 23rd December - 10am/11am/12.20pm/13.40pm/15.00pm/16.20pm/17.20pm - Adult £26.95 Child 1-16 £31.95 Infant under 12 month £7.95

Wednesday 24th December - 10am/11am/12.20pm/13.40pm/15.00pm/16.20pm - Adult £26.95 Child 1-16 £31.95 Infant under 12 month £7.95

Age Categories for Gifts

PLEASE NOTE: the age you choose when booking dictates the age-appropriate gift given to the child by Santa. If your child's age is towards the end of a category, we advise moving up to the next age category. Please ensure that you select the correct age category. If you select the wrong age category please email us at info@whistlestopvalley with your order reference number immediately, changes cannot be made on the day.

Under 12 months
1-2 year old
3-5 years
6-8 years
9-13 years
14-17 years

Booking Terms & Conditions

Concessions, family tickets, discounts, vouchers, promotions, passes & offers are NOT available/valid on Christmas services
All bookings incur a £1.80 booking fee per transaction (not per ticket)
All tickets will be available collect on arrival from the entrance cabin. You will recieve an email with your order reference number and booking details.
Advance booking is necessary – online only!
Once purchased, tickets cannot be cancelled and are non-refundable
If the event goes ahead and a ticket-holder is unable to visit for whatever reason, we regret that tickets cannot be refunded, cancelled, transferred or exchanged
Whistlestop Valley operates a NO TICKET NO ENTRY Policy due to this being an all inclusive event

For a full list of Ts & Cs, please visit https://www.whistlestopvalley.co.uk/terms-conditions. By booking tickets, you are agreeing to our Ts & Cs