Santa Specials 2026

Discounted Earlybird booking 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!

Children are delighted to meet Santa on the train - and grown-ups love seeing him too!
Cameras at the ready to capture those magical, timeless moments...

All Santa Special experiences include:

• 75 minute return steam train journey in festively decorated carriages
• Age-appropriate present addressed with your child's name, delivered by Santa at your seat
• 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

Quiet Train

The 11.15 am train on Sunday 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!

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.  Bookings close 7 days prior to the date of travel and no alterations may be made once bookings have closed. Where alterations to a booking are made, such changes will incur a £7 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, allowing additional time for any road works which may be taking place around the area, 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 selected 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 ALthough 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 take away refreshments will be available to purchase from the kiosk adjacent to the platform or eat-in in our Station Refreshment 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 Refreshment Rooms offers light refreshments to enjoy inside.
6. Is there wheelchair accommodation on the train?
   We are pleased to offer ramped access to Santa Special trains train on selected departures . 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. I need to change my booking
   We'll do all that we can to help if you need to change your booking, but as Santa Specials are very popular, it's not always possible to accommodate moves, additions or changes. Where changes can be made, however minor, to confirmed bookings this will incur an administration fee. Please note that bookings close 7 days prior to each Santa Special day and no changes are possible within that period.
8. What time does the station open and close?
   Gates open at 09:30 (other than on Sunday 29th November when we open at 10.30 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!)
9. 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.