About Us
We are incredibly pleased to announce that GWSR will be running Santa trains in 2020.
Your Santa Experience will begin at our festively decorated Toddington Station where there is a large free car park.
One of our amazing heritage steam-hauled and decorated trains will be waiting to take you for a 10 minute train ride in your own private compartment or specially reserved seats in an open carriage on a magic trip through the Cotswolds and beyond to The North Pole (Winchcombe). Here you will be able to walk through a wonderland of lights, trees, and decorations where Santa will be waiting to talk to all the children. As in previous years, all children will of course be given high quality presents which we have become famous for.
The whole family will then be able to enjoy the usual refreshments including the railway’s famous and highly recommended mince pies; additionally, for the first time this year, adults also have the option of a free glass of mulled wine before re-joining the train for the trip back to Toddington, where children will additionally receive a small goody bag for the journey home.
Having successfully operated trains under Covid-19 restrictions since 15 August we are confident that we have become well practised at managing the necessary hygiene and social distancing measures that ensure the safety of our volunteers and visitors. Unfortunately, because of the restrictions and space limitations, you will not be able to visit Santa in his usual grotto this year – instead, he will be in more open surroundings by the Christmas decorations.
In the event of severe weather, or Government COVID restrictions (eg lockdown) resulting in the GWSR being unable to offer our Santa Experience we will issue a full refund and a notice will appear as soon as possible on our website.
Steam trains will depart Toddington Station, returning approximately 1½ hours later.
Tickets are £20 for both children and adults. All children under 1 go free and will receive a nominal present from Santa.
Buy Tickets Now
Book Tickets
Book Tickets Online
Facilities
Accessibility
- Disabled toilets
Booking & Payment Details
- Credit cards accepted (no fee)
Catering
- On-site light refreshments
Children
- Children welcome
Groups
- Facilities for educational visits - We normally ave school visits to support part of the curriculum and these need to be booked in advance. Currently these are are suspended but we will inform schools when we can restart these visits.
- Facilities for groups - Groups are welcome on our trines provided they book in advance.
Parking
- Free Parking - We have large free car parks at Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse stations.
- Parking with charge - At Broadway there is a council owned car park very close to the station.
Property Facilities
- Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs) - Well behaved dogs are normally accepted but currently they are not allowed because of the types of coaches we are using. When we do allow dogs there is a small charge and they not in the first class coaches nor in the Buffet car and they are not allowed on the seats.
- Gift shop - Currently this is closed but will re-open as soon as we can do so.
- Guided tours for individuals - Currently guided tours of our locomotive sheds are not available but when we are doing them then these normally need to be booked in advance.
- Public toilets
- Smoking not allowed
Site Features
- Regional Tourist Board Member
Target Markets
- Accepts groups - Groups are of 10 rom ore people and need to book in advance.
- Coach parties accepted - Coach parties must book in advance - see our web site
- Hen/Stag Dos Welcome