Rudyard Lake Railway


Santa Specials

Every year in December we run our signature event in association with Rudyard Lake, our Santa Specials.

These trains depart from Rudyard Station and you will enjoy a scenic steam train ride to Lakeside Loop before seeing Santa who will first sail past in his boat on his way to the Grotto. The train then returns to The Dam station where you will alight and take a short walk over to see Santa in his Grotto. The Grotto is inside in the warmth and dry of the Lake Visitor Centre where sherry, soft drinks, mince pies and biscuits will be served whilst you wait your turn to see Santa. After seeing Santa you will then catch a train back to the car park at Rudyard Station.


These trains are pre-booked and only ticket holders can travel and see Santa. Please arrive around 10 minutes before your booked departure time. Checking-in will be at our station ticket office at Rudyard Station, where you will be shown to your allocated seats. Please be on time as the train will not be able to wait if you are late because this would cause delays to all the other passengers for the rest of the day. The rail trip and visit to Santa takes around 100 minutes from the time the train departs until the train returns you to Rudyard. Unfortunately during 2022 some of our trains ran very late due to the adverse freezing weather so we have adjusted arrangements accordingly.

Booking Arrangements

Our Santa trains are very popular as we have limited capacity. All seats are reserved and prior booking is required, we have no spare on-day capacity. We endeavour to ensure that all the children have plenty of time to talk to Santa and there are plenty of treats whilst you wait your turn!

All bookings are online and tickets are issued via email. Tickets must be brought with you on the day so we can scan the ticket QR code. Note tickets are not transferrable and we are unable to give refunds if you change your mind after purchase or you miss your train.

Please note that unfortunately dogs are not allowed on the Santa Trains.


Tickets 2024


The cost of a ticket is £18 per guest for everyone aged 1 and over. Under 1s are free. All children get a soft drink, biscuit or a mince pie, a visit to Santa’s grotto and a present (present details will be requested when booking tickets). All adults get a sherry (or a soft drink), a mince pie (or biscuit) and a visit to Santa’s grotto.

All bookings are made by email, instructions on how to book are at the bottom of this page when tickets go on sale.


2024 Ticket Availablity


Saturday 14th December 10am VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Saturday 14th December 11.30  SOLD OUT

Saturday 14th December 1pm VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Saturday 14th December 2.30pm VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY


Sunday 15th December 10am LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Sunday 15th December 11.30am VERY LIMITED AVAILABLITY

Sunday 15th December 1pm SOLD OUT

Sunday 15th December 2.30pm SOLD OUT


Saturday 21st December 10am SOLD OUT

Saturday 21st December 11.30am SOLD OUT

Saturday 21st December 1pm SOLD OUT

Saturday 21st December 2.30pm SOLD OUT


Sunday 22nd December 10am VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Sunday 22nd December 11.30am SOLD OUT

  • Sunday 22nd December 1pm SOLD OUT

Sunday 22nd December 2.30pm SOLD OUT


Check back for further availability if we cancel any bookings due to non-payment



How To Book

All bookings are made by email, only booking requests to the dedicated email will be responded to. Unfortunately, we cannot take phone calls or postal bookings. Upon confirmation of your booking and receipt of payment, you will be issued with a PDF e-ticket that must be brought with you on the day with the unique code clearly visible. When you arrive for your train your ticket will be scanned and confirmed against the passenger log and you will be shown to your seat. The booking and ticket must match the details of the persons attending.


To make a booking please send an email to the booking email address santa2024@rlsr.org

with the following information.


 -Date and time requested (first and second choice)

-Number of adults

-Number of children (aged 1-17) and any infants under 1

-Present preference for the children (please specify boy / girl and age group 1-3, 4-6, 7-11, 12-17)

-Name of each guest

-Payment preference (bank transfer or Paypal only, sorry no cards)



Upon reciept of this information, you will be emailed a booking confirmation and payment details within 48 hours, (if you don’t receive an email within 48 hours please resend).

Payment must be made within 7 days of the booking confirmation otherwise your reservation will be automatically cancelled. All tickets are for specific trains and are non-transferable. Occasionally if seat availability is low we may need to split your group but this will be made clear before any payment is requested should you wish to change your mind.

Please make sure ALL the information requested above is included in your booking request email otherwise due to demand your request will be moved to the back of the queue and the missing information requested. 



LIMITED AVAILABILITY