Santa Express at Whistlestop Valley

What’s happening on the day?

• Return steam train ride to Shelley North Pole (allocated train departure, with allocated seating)
• One-on-one meeting with Father Christmas, with a gift for all children over 12mths (under 12mths have the option of selecting a gift or not when booking tickets)
• INCLUDED: 25 minute Christmas Elf Show in The Shed, taking place at 10.35am, 11.55am, 1.15pm, 2.35pm, 3.55pm & 5.15pm. Visitors are NOT allocated a timeslot for the shows; visitors can choose which time best suits them (but be careful not to miss your Santa train!)
• Opportunity to make up a bag of magical reindeer food to take home
• Opportunity to write your Christmas wish and hang it on the Wishing Tree
• Edible festive treat for all guests over 12mths
• Father Christmas’ cheeky elf will be at the North Pole causing Christmas chaos – see if you can spot them!
• Tram platform rides at the North Pole
• The playground, jumping pillow and Clayton Flyer miniature ride-on railway will be open for unlimited use at Clayton West Station. Please note that The Shed will NOT be open for playing or seating during Santa Express event days
• The Firebox café and gift shop will be open
• The Turntable dessert parlour will be open at the North Pole

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

• The time you choose when making your booking is the time your train will DEPART from Clayton West Station – it is NOT your arrival time! Please aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before your departure time
• 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 9.30am (except on 25th November when our doors will open at 10.25am) and stay until activities close at 7pm (except Christmas Eve when activities at Clayton West will close by 6pm)
• Visitors on the 6pm departure will return to Clayton West at approximately 8pm and all facilities (except the toilets) will be closed by that time

Santa Express Timetable

• The Santa Express will run on the following dates: 25th* & 26th November, 2nd-3rd December, 9th-10th December, 16th-17th December, 22nd-24th** December 2023
• Trains will depart at: 10am*, 11.20am, 12.40pm, 2pm, 3.20pm, 4.40pm, 6pm**

*The 10am train will not run on 25th November.  The first train on that date will be the 11.20am departure

**The 6pm train will not run on 24th December.  The last train on that date will be the 4.40pm departure

Santa Express Ticket Prices 

Adult: £24.95

Child (over 12mths): £29.95

Infant (under 12mths) WITH GIFT: £15.95

Infant (under 12mths) NO GIFT: FREE

• 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)
• Advance booking is necessary – online only!

Age Categories for Gifts

PLEASE NOTE: the age you choose when booking dictates the age-appropriate gift given by Father Christmas.  If your child’s age is towards the end of a category, we advise moving up to the next age category:

• Under 12 months
• 1-2 year old
• 3-5 years
• 6-9 years
• 10-13 years
• 14-17 years