Santa Specials 2024
at the Kent & East Sussex Railway
Additional tickets now available!
We love Christmas at the Kent and East Sussex Railway and we have been welcoming families to meet Santa on our trains since 1974! There’s nothing quite like the pleasure of a steam train ride knowing your child will meet Santa and receive a named gift, all without moving from the the comfort of your allocated seats. Sit back, relax and enjoy the journey!
The experience for 2024 includes:
- 75 minute return steam train journey in festively decorated carriages
- Age-appropriate present addressed with your child's name
- Babies under 18 months of age are free of charge and receive a gift
- Free unlimited rides on the vintage gallopers at Tenterden
- Free photograph of your family group
- Visit to the station’s Winter Wonderland
- Complimentary mulled wine or hot drink for adults
The main attraction, Santa himself, will be travelling on the train giving presents to your children - have your camera ready to capture that all-important moment!
In addition for standard class passengers - Bronze!
A complimentary refreshment pack to enjoy during the journey containing a mince pie for each adult, a chocolate bar for every child and soft drinks for all
Chocolates from Santa for children aged 12-15
Magician providing on-board entertainment
In addition for first class passengers - Silver!
An age-appropriate present for children aged 12 – 15.
A complimentary refreshment pack to enjoy during the journey containing deluxe mince pie for adults and chocolate bar and fruit shoots for children.
A trolley service with a choice of alcoholic or non - alcoholic drink for adults only included in the price.
NEW THIS YEAR for Silver and Gold passengers!
Meet Jingle and Sparkle, Santa’s Head Elves as they search out the next generation of spirit elves who will uphold the magic of Christmas. Will your party pass the spirit of Christmas detector test? Each guest is crowned with their very own Elf Hat and awarded the prestigious 'Diploma of Elfship'.
In addition for Premium passengers - Gold!
Enjoy a sparkling train ride with unlimited prosecco, beer or non-alcoholic beverage, selection of festive cakes and warm luxury mince pies served to you at your seat, and not to forget the children they can enjoy a character chocolate and for the big kids luxury chocolates for adults. All included in the price!
Quiet Train
The 11.15 am train on Saturday 30th November has been designated a 'Quiet Train', for those who prefer a less intense visit. A wheelchair accessible coach is also available on this service. Whilst no Christmas music will be played, all of the inclusive features above will remain available with ample time to enjoy!
Availability
2024 Santa Special trains have a mix of seating styles - there are open-plan style carriages with tables, or private family compartments, or new for 2024 we've Premium First with an at seat waiter service of complimentary refreshments.
Standard CLASS
- Seating for 2, 3 or 4 people around a table in an open plan carriage
- Seating for 4 people, including a wheelchair user, in an accessible carriage
First Class
-
- Seating for up to 6 people around tables in a First Class carriage
- Private family compartments with seating for 4 people - SOLD OUT
- Private family compartments with seating for 6 people
- Private family compartments with seating for 8 people
PREMIUM First
Online booking prices are shown below and save £5 on prices applicable to telephone and in-person bookings. We do not charge an online booking fee.
Standard Class
Seating for 2, 3 or 4 people around a table in an open plan carriage
These comfortable carriages have tables at all seats. If you book a Table for 4 but are a family of 5 and would like to snuggle up, you can choose to add an extra person for an additional charge.
Date
Saturday 30th November
Sunday 1st December
Saturday 7th December
Sunday 8th December
Saturday 14th December
Sunday 15th December
Saturday 21st December
Sunday 22nd December
Tuesday 24th December
For 2 people
£100
£100
£100
£100
£100
£100
£100
£100
£100
Date
Saturday 30th November
Sunday 1st December
Saturday 7th December
Sunday 8th December
Saturday 14th December
Sunday 15th December
Saturday 21st December
Sunday 22nd December
Tuesday 24th December
For 3 people
£110
£110
£110
£110
£110
£110
£110
£110
£110
Date
Saturday 30th November
Sunday 1st December
Saturday 7th December
Sunday 8th December
Saturday 14th December
Sunday 15th December
Saturday 21st December
Sunday 22nd December
Tuesday 24th December
For 4 people
£120
£120
£120
£120
£120
£120
£120
£120
£120
First Class
Seating for 6 people around a table in a FIRST CLASS carriage
This 1930's First Class carriage has tables at all its armchair style seats. If you book Tables for 6 but are a family of 7 and would like to snuggle up, you can choose to add an extra person for an additional charge.
Date
Saturday 30th November
Sunday 1st December
Saturday 7th December
Sunday 8th December
Saturday 14th December
Sunday 15th December
Saturday 21st December
Sunday 22nd December
Tuesday 24th December
First Class Tables for up to 6 people
£300
£300
£300
£300
£300
£300
£300
£300
£300
PRIVATE FAMILY COMPARTMENTS WITH SEATING FOR 4, 6 OR 8 PEOPLE
Enjoy the comfort of your own private compartment! These traditional carpeted carriages are festively decorated and can accommodate up to four, six or eight people*
Date
Saturday 30th November
Sunday 1st December
Saturday 7th December
Sunday 8th December
Saturday 14th December
Sunday 15th December
Saturday 21st December
Sunday 22nd December
Tuesday 24th December
First Class Compartment for up to 4 people
£250
£250
£250
£250
£250
£250
£250
£250
£250
Date
Saturday 30th November
Sunday 1st December
Saturday 7th December
Sunday 8th December
Saturday 14th December
Sunday 15th December
Saturday 21st December
Sunday 22nd December
Tuesday 24th December
First Class Compartment for up to 6 people
£330
£330
£330
£330
£330
£330
£330
£330
£330
Date
Saturday 30th November
Sunday 1st December
Saturday 7th December
Sunday 8th December
Saturday 14th December
Sunday 15th December
Saturday 21st December
Sunday 22nd December
Tuesday 24th December
First Class Compartment for up to 8 people
£400
£400
£400
£400
£400
£400
£400
£400
£400
* Up to one extra adult may be added above the capacity of your compartment for a small additional charge
Premium First
SEATING FOR 6 PEOPLE AROUND TABLES IN OPEN PLAN CARRIAGES
Looking for an extra special experience? Premium Class includes complimentary Prosecco, Mulled Wine or Fruit Juice, deep filled warm Mince Pies, all served at your seat during your steam hauled journey - and of course a visit from Santa himself bearing named gifts for the children!
Accommodation for up to six people is available at a table for two and a table for four either side of the aisle. Premium First has limited availability on selected trains only.
Date
Saturday 30th November
Sunday 1st December
Saturday 7th December
Sunday 8th December
Saturday 14th December
Sunday 15th December
Saturday 21st December
Sunday 22nd December
Tuesday 24th December
Premium First Tables for up to 6 people
£375
£375
£375
£375
£375
£375
£375
£375
£375
Booking
When making a booking, you should purchase sufficient tickets for your entire group as seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Whilst we will always do our best to assist, it is not normally possible to add additional tickets to existing bookings or allocate seats for different bookings adjacent to one another. Any alterations to your booking will incur a £5 administration charge.
Online booking prices shown above save £5 on those applicable to telephone or in-person bookings. We do not levy a booking fee.
For terms and conditions relating to the Santa Specials, visit: http://www.kesr.org.uk/terms-conditions/#santa-specials
Parking
Limited free parking for our customers is available at Tenterden Town Station for up to three hours. In the event that our own car park becomes full, we suggest visitors make use of the Pay & Display car parks nearby, you can find them here Parking in Tenterden
Please ensure that you allow sufficient time for your journey & to find a parking space, adding additional time for inclement weather & Christmas congestion. Our Santa Specials are very popular & we regret that we are unable to provide accommodation on later services if you miss your booked train. Missing your booked departure will be treated as non-attendance and no refund will be possible.
Guests with reduced mobility
Our Accessible Coach 'Petros' is included in Santa Special trains on the 30th November and 1st December and provides ramped access and a wheelchair friendly space, plus three other seats for your family. Book online or contact us by telephone or via enquiries@kesr.org.uk for the latest availability. Please note though that we're unable to provide blue badge parking in the station forecourt. Reduced mobility visitors may be dropped off and collected at the station entrance & vehicles parked in the blue badge area of the main car park.
Date
Saturday 30th November
Sunday 1st December
Standard Class tables for four people - including a wheelchair user
£120
£120
Refreshments
A range of refreshments will be available to take away from the kiosk adjacent to the platform or eat-in in our Station Tea Rooms near the gallopers.
FAQ's
- I have a K&ESR Gift Card - how can I book a ticket?
If you've a K&ESR Gift Card with a PIN and you'd like to use it in payment for an online booking, simply enter the card number where shown during the checkout process. If you don't have a PIN with your K&ESR Gift Card, just contact us via enquiries@kesr.org.uk and we'll be in touch with your PIN or we'll gladly make the booking for you. - There are more of us than will fit in the space we'd like - can we squeeze another person in?
If, for example, you're a family of two adults and three children and would like to occupy four standard class seats at a table for four, you can add an extra adult above the capacity of the space you're booking for a small additional charge. Details of how to do this are shown during the booking process. Please note that it is not possible to exceed the capacity at accessible accommodation within 'Petros' or in Premium Class accommodation. - Can I bring my dog?
Pets and dogs, other than Assistance Dogs, are not permitted at Santa Special events. - Will the Gift Shop be open?
Our Tenterden station Gift Shop will be open. We also have an online shop where you may purchase a K&ESR Gift Card. - Can I buy refreshments at the station?
Your ticket includes a goodie bag of light refreshments to enjoy on the train. The take away kiosk adjacent to the platform provides a range of hot food to purchase that may be enjoyed at the station or taken onboard the train, whilst the Station Tea Room offers light refreshments to enjoy inside. - Are there toilets on the train?
All trains have access to an onboard toilet - Is there wheelchair accommodation on the train?
We are pleased to offer every assistance and have ramped access to selected Santa Special trains trains on the 30th November and 1st December - train departures with suffix (B) on these dates have ramped access to 'Petros', our accessible carriage. Please note that there is no blue badge parking in the station forecourt - visitors with reduced mobility may be dropped off and collected at the station entrance & vehicles parked in the main car park. Our Booking Office staff will be pleased to assist in planning your day if help is required - contact us via enquiries@kesr.org.uk - What time does the station open and close?
Gates open at 09:30am and close 30 minutes after arrival of the last train. If you're due to travel on the last departure of the day, we recommend that you enjoy the station activities before travelling on the train (although you're welcome to ride the gallopers before and after your train ride!) - Have another question?
Please contact us via enquiries@kesr.org.uk if you have any questions that have not been answered in our FAQs.
Terms & Conditions - Santa Specials
When purchasing tickets, you are indicating your agreement to our terms & conditions http://www.kesr.org.uk/terms-conditions/#santa-specials
Information is believed to be correct at time of publication E&OE.
