See Father Christmas whilst enjoying a steam train ride and watch a pantomime - all in one amazing Christmas experience! This year's mini pantomime is Beauty and the Beast! Running time approximately 25/30 mins.

The Panto Express! What to expect and what tickets to choose:
All aboard The Panto Express to enjoy a visit from Father Christmas, plus, enjoy our mini family pantomime Beauty and the Beast, brought to you by a professional touring theatre company!

See Father Christmas in a 'Grotto with a Difference' - on a vintage steam train! Why queue for hours when you can sit on a steam train and wait for Santa to come to you?! You will be shown to your compartment on the steam train, and you will be taken up and down our 1/3 mile length of track whilst you wait for Father Christmas, who will be making his way along the train visiting all the children. When he comes to you, one of his elves will pull gifts for the children from his huge toy sack! Please note there are no toilets on the trains, but plenty around the site for you to use before your train ride. Once your train arrives back at Platform 4, make your way to the Pantomime seating at the far end of the Visitor Centre, sit back and enjoy the show! Enjoy the festive Christmas atmosphere inside our large Visitor Centre with decorations, huge Christmas tree, festive music, plus cafe and gift shop.

See below for all the information about the different ticket options
Pre-booking for Christmas is essential!
All bookings are subject to a £3 fee per booking
Babies under 12 months are £6 and do NOT need a seat but will still receive a present. Seats are not allocated for babies. Pushchairs not permitted on the train.
Ticket types: Bronze v Silver v Gold...

GOLD: You are booking a private First Class compartment for 6 people
Book a private First Class compartment, for up to six people. These are sold as a whole compartment price. These are our most popular seats! Our GOLD ticket holders enjoy the larger and plusher seats of their First Class compartment, plus, they include seats in the front two rows at the Pantomime. Maximum booking is for 6 people (babies under 12 months can be added on top as they do not need a seat). If you have less than 6 people you can still book a private compartment but the price will be for 6 people.)

SILVER tickets: (private standard compartment for 6-8 people)
When booking SILVER tickets, you are booking a private Standard compartment for up to 8 people. (Minimum booking 6 people, but if you have less than 6 people in your party, you can still book a private compartment but the price will be for 6 people.)

BRONZE tickets: (shared standard compartment)
When booking BRONZE tickets, you are booking single tickets within a shared Standard compartment. Please note: you will share your compartment with members of other parties. (Minimum booking is for 1 person, maximum 6)

Session times: (The time you book is the 'ARRIVE BY' time)

Arrive by Train Panto

10:00 10:25 11:15
10:55 11:15 12:05
11:50 12:10 13:00
12:45 13:05 13:55
14:00 14:20 15:05
14:55 15:15 16:00

Dates:

25/26th November
2nd/3rd December
9/10th December
16/17th December

Pricing:
November Saver
Bronze tickets; £17.50pp (shared standard compartment)
Silver tickets: £19.00pp (private standard compartment for 6-8 people)
Gold tickets: £20.50pp (private First Class compartment for 6 people)
Babies: £6.00 (under 12 months)

December pricing:
Bronze tickets: £18.50pp (shared standard compartment)
Silver tickets: £20.50pp (private standard compartment for 6-8 people)
Gold tickets: £22.50pp (private First Class compartment for 6 people)
Babies: £6.00 (under 12 months)

Important points to note:

Your allocated pantomime showing will be after your train ride.
Your 'Arrive by' time will be printed on your tickets, all other times will be on display on the day.
We open at 10am, along with our shop and cafe.
You may arrive before your 'Arrive By' time and spend time in our Visitor Centre enjoying the huge Christmas tree, decorations, shop and cafe before your sessions starts, and you can stay as long as you like.
Our Railway Museum will also be open if the conditions allow, but the Miniature Railway will NOT be open.
ALL children must have a ticket, including babies under 12 months (only £6) as they will all receive an age-related present from Father Christmas. Don't forget to include babies on your booking who may not have been born yet, but will be born in time for our event! NB Babies under 12 months do not need a seat.
Any queries to 01296 655720