Santa Specials 2023

Meet Santa 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 for nearly 50 years! There’s nothing quite like the pleasure of a steam train ride knowing your child will meet Santa and receive a gift, all without moving from the the comfort of your allocated seats. Sit back, relax and enjoy the journey!

The experience for 2023 includes:

70 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 presents for all children 11 and under
Chocolates from Santa for children aged 12-15 or for First Class customers, 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 12.15 pm train on Sunday 26th 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 played, all of the inclusive features above will remain available with ample time to enjoy!

Availability

Trains contain a mix of seating styles - there are open-plan style carriages with tables, or exclusive private family compartments. Choose from:

Standard Class

Seating for 4 people around a table in an open plan carriage - LAST FEW
Seating for 4 people, including a wheelchair user, in an accessible carriage - SOLD OUT
Private family compartments with seating for 8 people - SOLD OUT

First Class

Seating for 2 people around a table in an open plan carriage - SOLD OUT
Seating for 4 people around a table in an open plan carriage - SOLD OUT
Private family compartments with seating for 4 people - SOLD OUT
Private family compartments with seating for 6 people - ONE LEFT!

Online booking prices are shown below and save £3 on prices applicable to telephone and in-person bookings. We do not charge an online booking fee.

Standard Class

Seating for 4 people around a table in an open plan carriage

These carriages have an onboard toilet accessible during the journey, although we kindly request everyone remains seated where possible. If you book a Table for 4 but are a family of 5 and would like to snuggle up in these comfy seats, you can choose to add an extra person for an additional charge.

Date	Sunday 26th November	Saturday 2nd December	Sunday 3rd December	Saturday 9th December	Sunday 10th December	Saturday 16th December	Sunday 17th December	Friday 22nd December	Saturday 23rd December	Sunday 24th December
Standard Class Table for up to 4 people	£150	£150	£150	£150	£150	£150	£150	£150	£150	£150
	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	LAST FEW	LAST FEW	LAST FEW	LAST FEW	LAST FEW

Standard Class

Private family compartments with seating FOR 8 people

Private compartment - perfect for a family gathering
Price includes accommodation for up to eight people*

Date	Sunday 26th November	Saturday 2nd December	Sunday 3rd December	Saturday 9th December	Sunday 10th December	Saturday 16th December	Sunday 17th December	Friday 22nd December	Saturday 23rd December	Sunday 24th December
Standard Class Family Compartments for up to 8 people	£275	£275	£275	£275	£275	£275	£275	£275	£275	£275
	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT

* Up to one extra adult may be added above the capacity of your compartment for a small additional charge

FIRST CLASS

SEATING FOR 2 or 4 PEOPLE AROUND A TABLE IN AN OPEN PLAN CARRIAGE

As for Standard Class plus:

Present addressed with your child's name
Armchair style seats in a carpeted carriage with increased legroom

Available on selected trains only

This carriage has an onboard toilet accessible during the journey, although we kindly request everyone remains seated where possible. Like the standard class , if you book a Table for 4 but are a family of 5 and would like to snuggle up in these comfy seats, you can choose to add an extra person for an additional charge. Please note that it is not possible to accommodate more than 2 people at a Table for 2.

Date	Saturday 2nd December	Sunday 3rd December	Saturday 9th December	Sunday 10th December	Saturday 16th December	Sunday 17th December	Friday 22nd December	Saturday 23rd December	Sunday 24th December
First Class Table for 2 people	£95	£95	£95	£95	£95	£95	£95	£95	£95
	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT

Date	Saturday 2nd December	Sunday 3rd December	Saturday 9th December	Sunday 10th December	Saturday 16th December	Sunday 17th December	Friday 22nd December	Saturday 23rd December	Sunday 24th December
First Class Table for up to 4 people	£195	£195	£195	£195	£195	£195	£195	£195	£195
	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT

FIRST CLASS

PRIVATE FAMILY COMPARTMENTS WITH SEATING FOR 4 or 6 PEOPLE

For an extra special treat, our First Class Family Compartments offer:

Your own private compartment with wider seats and increased legroom
Present addressed with your child's name
Price includes accommodation for up to four or six people*

Date	Saturday 2nd December	Sunday 3rd December	Saturday 9th December	Sunday 10th December	Saturday 16th December	Sunday 17th December	Friday 22nd December	Saturday 23rd December	Sunday 24th December
First Class Compartment for up to 4 people	£195	£195	£195	£195	£195	£195	£195	£195	£195
	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT

Date	Sunday 26th November	Saturday 2nd December	Sunday 3rd December	Saturday 9th December	Sunday 10th December	Saturday 16th December	Sunday 17th December	Friday 22nd December	Saturday 23rd December	Sunday 24th December
First Class Compartment for up to 6 people	£295	£295	£295	£295	£295	£295	£295	£295	£295	£295
	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	LAST ONE!	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT

* Up to one extra adult may be added above the capacity of your compartment for a small additional charge

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 £3 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' provides ramped access to many Santa Special trains. Book online below or contact us by telephone or via enquiries@kesr.org.uk for the latest availability. Please note 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	Sunday 26th November	Saturday 2nd December	Sunday 3rd December	Saturday 9th December	Sunday 10th December	Saturday 16th December	Sunday 17th December	Friday 22nd December	Saturday 23rd December	Sunday 24th December
Standard Class one wheelchair user plus up to 3 others	£150	£150	£150	£150	£150	£150	£150	£150	£150	£150
	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT	SOLD OUT

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 accommodate more than two people at our First Class tables for two, nor is it possible to exceed the capacity at accessible accommodation areas within 'Petros'.
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.
Is there wheelchair accommodation on the train?
We are pleased to offer every assistance and have ramped access to some Santa Special trains - departures shown 'Santa Special (B)' 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 09:30 (other than on Sunday 26 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!)
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.

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