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A steam train visit to Father Christmas in Cheltenham

After last year’s wonderful trip to Didcot railway centre to ride on Thomas the Tank Engine to see Father Christmas, I really should have known better than to go elsewhere.  But I like to try out lots of different places, so this year we booked to go on the steam train from Cheltenham Racecourse station to the North Pole to see Father Christmas instead.

Visiting Father Christmas on Gloucester Warwickshire Railway - Bubbablue and me

I’d heard a few good things about the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, so thought it would be the perfect trip out.  I have to say it was a mixed bag.

I can’t fault the organisation.  Tickets sent out efficiently, an email to say because it would be a race day, use entrance 6 for parking, and a nice prompt and useful response to my further parking questions.

We turned up early for our 1.10 train journey.  It means we could eat our lunch before heading it, although N announced he needed the toilet so we packed all our stuff (well, my camera) and headed over to the station.  It’s a really sweet little stop, and a lovely walk down with a vintage feel.

steam train on Gloucestershire railway

It turned out there was a place for refreshments on the platform but the train was already sitting there so we got straight on to find a seat  and wait for the off.

Steam trains are so special for travelling on, and these had ‘retro’ patterned upholstery.  Wonderful to see, and a great talking point on instagram!

selfies on the steam train

There was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing by the guards, then we were off.  The journey lasts around 20 minutes, and we were told that on the return journey we could come back on either train, and there would be a sing song to join in with.

looking out of the train window

The anticipation of the long dark tunnel before reaching Lapland and the North Pole excited N and the other children on board. After waiting for the other train to go past, we reached the tunnel and found our way through the other side.  We were one of the first to disembark, and made our way to the Elf Centre to have our tickets checked and then go on to see Father Christmas.

Elf Centre

I wondered what N would be like given last year he didn’t really talk to Father Christmas.  This year he was chatting away to the helpers, giving his name and age, and telling them he’d been on a steam train before.

Then it was our turn to go through the door and be taken to Father Christmas.  He was certainly on the older side, and I’m not sure he got the best out of N who took a while to talk.  Even though he’s told me beforehand what he wanted from Father Christmas (a small forage harvester), he wouldn’t tell Father Christmas that.  Although he did say his name and how old he was, and said thank you after he was given his present bag.  I was impressed that Father Christmas did get N to stand next to him for me to take some photos which was good.  Usually I can’t get any without doing a half selfie standing next to N as well.

Meeting Father Christmas at GWR railway

Then we were taken back out again and directed towards the mince pies and drinks.  No egg nog or mulled wine, just tea, coffee and squash.  N was happy to eat a mince pie, and luckily there were a few seats so we could sit inside to eat, and then sit to wait for the train back afterwards.  It was a little like a WI refreshments stand, although it did the job.  No fancy cakes or the like to buy though.

eating mince pies at Winchcombe station

The best bit about the stop off was the real snow being pumped out as we arrived at Father Christmas’ grotto.  But overall I was really disappointed with the experience.

Winchcombe station

We’d arrived just after 1.30, but the next return train wasn’t until 2.50 according to the board on the platform.  Not so bad if you’re at the back of the queue for Father Christmas, but we were probably in and out by 1.40, had a mince pie by 1.45, and then had nothing to do.  Apart from a man dressed up in a massive snowman outfit, there was no entertainment or activities.  No music, no Christmas displays to look at.  Nothing.  And with the station (Winchcombe) being next to residential streets it wasn’t like we could go wandering off to explore round a town or village centre.

vintage luggage at the station

getting on the steam train

In the end, we decided to just get back on the train that was sitting at the platform.  By that stage we had about 40 minutes to wait.  N got stuck into his present from Father Christmas.  Luckily it was an activity set with paper and pens, otherwise he’d have had nothing to do because I no longer take things out with us.  I expect there to be things to do or see.

looking out of the steam train

2.50 passed, and still no sign of the train going.  There was no explanation from anyone working on the train as to why we were running later, and we didn’t leave until 3.20.  I wasn’t happy given I’d planned the day to be back by a certain time and wanted to avoid most of the race traffic.  Thankfully once we arrived it was a quick walk back to the car and heading off home was fairly quick out of Cheltenham.

thinking and waiting for the train to go

N really enjoyed being on the steam train…any public transport or transport that’s a bit different is always a success.  And he liked seeing Father Christmas.  But for me, I know we wouldn’t be going back.  Having experienced the magic of Hatton Adventure World/Farm, Millets Farm and Didcot Railway Centre’s versions of Christmas celebrations, there’s a lot more that could be done here.  Not least make the trains run more frequently if they’re not going to put on activities and things to see or watch for the families visiting.

Where do you take your children to see Father Christmas?

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19 Comments

  1. Oh wow, this looks amazing. Oscar is massively into trains so I think he would have loved this 🙂

    Louise x

    1. The train part was great. Definitely one for kids of all ages, and there’s so many around the country. Thanks for stopping by Louise.

  2. Oooooh this sounds so magical! Trains and Santa together! Santa visits have really grown and become these big events and big days out since my childhood. x

    1. So true. I don’t remember anywhere other than a local shopping centre Father Christmas (and we only went there once because I hated it!)

  3. I’m glad N enjoyed the steam train and visiting Father Christmas. Its bad planning that they did not think about those who went in first and then left you waiting around. I wouldn’t have had anything with me either! Sounds like you have other options for next year, hopefully they will be much better x

  4. The steam train idea sounds great, and nice to make an experience of the journey but it really sounds like they missed a trick – I wonder if anyone had thought that at least a few people would be at the front of the queue and would be waiting around afterwards. What a shame it wasn’t all as good as the best bits.

  5. We haven’t been to that steam railway, even though it isn’t a million miles away. Seems a bit strange to have such a wait especially with nothing to do nearby.

    1. Definitely. Sometimes places don’t think about these things. Although maybe they just couldn’t do it with volunteers. In which case they should have had the trains going more frequently.

  6. What a shame. I always remember going on a railway visit to see santa every year with my mum. I still haven’t taken my daughter on a train to meet the big man yet but we have met him at other places. This year we went to the celtic manor hotel x

  7. I live in Didcot so we used to take ours to the Railway Centre when they were younger. The innocence of those days has long gone with my two now though!

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