Santa Specials 2025

at the Kent & East Sussex Railway

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 2025 includes:

• 75 minute return steam train journey
• 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
• Age-appropriate present addressed with your child's name
• Chocolates from Santa for children aged 12-15 or for First & Premium Class, an age appropriate present
• Babies under 18 months of age are free of charge and receive a gift
• Magician providing on-board entertainment and at Tenterden station
• 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!

Quiet Train

The 11.15 pm train on Saturday 29th November has been designated a  'Quiet Train', for those who prefer a less intense visit. Whilst no Christmas music will be played, all of the inclusive features above will remain available with ample time to enjoy!

Availability

2025 Santa Special trains have a mix of seating styles:

BRONZE - 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

SILVER - First Class

• Private family compartments with seating for 4 people
• Private family compartments with seating for 6 people
• Private family compartments with seating for 8 people

GOLD - PREMIUM First

• Seating for 6 people around tables in an open plan carriage, with an at seat service of complimentary Prosecco, Fruit Juice or Mulled Wine & Luxury Mince Pie or Chocolate

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.

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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.

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 many Santa Special trains 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 then parked in the blue badge area of the main car park.

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

1. 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.
2. There are more of us than 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 in accessible accommodation or in Premium Class accommodation.
3. Can I bring my dog?
   Pets and dogs, other than Assistance Dogs, are not permitted at Santa Special events.
4. 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.
5. Can I buy refreshments at the station?
   Your ticket includes 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.
6. Is there wheelchair accommodation on the train?
   We are pleased to offer every assistance and have ramped access to selected Santa Special trains trains - train departures shown "Santa Specials(A) 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
7. What time does the station open and close?
   Gates open at 09:30 (other than on Saturday 29th November when we open at 11.30 am) 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!)
8. 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.