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Tickets for our Santa Special 2026 are now on sale!
Join us at the Avon Valley Railway to make unforgettable Christmas memories onboard our 2026 Santa Special.
You can enjoy a 50-minute steam train ride along the full length of our line, along with a mince pie or festive shortbread biscuit. Santa will pass through the train saying hello to everyone. Once you’ve returned to Bitton Station, you will visit Santa in his grotto and all the good children will receive a present! There will also be the chance for your family group to take photographs and create those special festive memories.
Premium Santa Experiences are back for 2026! Enjoy quality time with Father Christmas from the comfort of our first-class carriage. Children can have their photos taken with Santa and receive their present without having to queue. All Premium Santa passengers will also enjoy a cosy hot chocolate (or grown-ups can select a mini-festive tipple) alongside their festive sweet treat whilst travelling the line.
Finally, you’ll be pleased to know that the festive Christmas donkeys will be returning once again, accessible to all Santa Special customers on the lawn at Bitton Station (BS30 6HD), either before or after you’ve travelled on the train. If you are travelling on the last train of the day (16:00 departure), please make sure you see the donkeys before you board the train.
Trains depart at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30 and 16:00 and each roundtrip is approximately 50 minutes.
| Standard Santa Experience | Premium Santa Experience | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Adult OR Child | Adult + U1* | Adult OR Child | Adult + U1* |
| 22 Nov | £18 | £24 | £26 | £32 |
| 28-29 Nov | £22 | £28 | £31 | £37 |
| 5-6 Dec | £23 | £29 | £34 | £40 |
| 12-13, 19-20 Dec | £25 | £31 | £36 | £42 |
| 21 Dec | £22 | £28 | £31 | £37 |
| 22 Dec | £23 | £29 | £34 | £40 |
| 23 Dec | £25 | £31 | £36 | £42 |
| 24 Dec | £26 | £32 | £37 | £43 |
*The special price for an ‘Adult + U1’ is for a single seat, with the adult seated with an under-1 on their knee.
Booking Information
When booking a compartment in our standard carriages (coaches D, E, F), choose your first seat and all 8 seats become highlighted so that no one else can book them. Then, just choose the different tickets types you need for each of your group from the drop down lists. For any seats not required simply choose the option ‘Empty Seat’. A minimum of 5 ‘paid for’ tickets must be booked in a compartment.
When booking seats at tables in one of the open carriages (coaches B and C), please select the number you need. Tables may be shared between different parties.
If you book seven or more seats we’ll offer you a 5% discount on all the seats purchased, so why not bring grandparents or other family members with you and make the most of seeing Santa!
Wheelchair Users, those with Access needs and smaller parties with SEND children who would benefit from a private compartment should contact the railway Booking Office on 0117 932 5538 to purchase tickets.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to our Santa Specials!
Additional Information
The Journey
Our line is approximately 3 miles long. The total duration of a round trip is approximately 50 minutes (approx. 6 miles). ALL trains leave from Bitton Station (BS30 6HD)
The total travelling (moving) time is approx. 24 minutes with 13 minutes at both Oldland Common and Avon Riverside stations at either end of the line for the locomotive to change ends, and a brief 5-minute stop at Bitton in the middle of the journey.
Present
Your child can expect to receive a soft toy – bespoke to Avon Valley Railway.
