Christmas Experiences
What's happening this Christmas?
This festive season, you can choose from THREE FESTIVE events at Whistlestop Valley: "Tea with Santa", "Simply Santa" or "The Santa Express."
Simply Santa and The Santa Express feature a trip aboard the heated carriages hauled by one of our steam locomotives; transporting you to the North Pole!
Whilst at the North Pole, you will have a one-on-one meeting with the big guy himself inside his cosy grotto, filled with sacks of presents for the good girls & boys. Santa's cheeky elf will be causing Christmas chaos at the Shelley North Pole - will you spot them?!
There'll be a complimentary edible festive treat and drink for everyone plus the opportunity to make up a bag of magical reindeer food to take home with you and write out your Christmas wish to hang on the magical Wishing Tree. You'll also be able to have a Yuletide whizz around the duck pond on our ride-on miniature train at the front of Clayton West Station.
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SIMPLY SANTA features all the above
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THE SANTA EXPRESS also includes a 25 minute Christmas Elf Show
Information about TEA WITH SANTA can be found below
TEA WITH SANTA
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Tea with Santa will run on the following dates: 11th & 18th December 2023
Tea slots will start at: 12pm, 1:30pm & 3pm
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SIMPLY SANTA
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Simply Santa will take place on Simply Santa will run on: Fridays 1st, 8th & 15th December 2023 PLUS Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st December 2023
On Fridays, trains will depart at: 11am, 12:20pm, 1:40pm, 3pm, 4:20pm & 5:40pm
On 20th-21st December, trains will depart at 1:40pm, 3pm, 4:20pm, 5:40pm & 7pm.
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SIMPLY SANTA TICKET PRICES
Adult: £19.95
Child (over 12 months): £24.95
Infant with gift (under 12 months): £15.95
Infant with NO gift (under 12 months): FREE
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THE SANTA EXPRESS
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The Santa Express will take place on: weekends from 25th November t0 17th December 2023 & daily from 22nd-24th December 2023.
​The Santa Express will depart at 10am*, 11.20am, 12.40pm, 2pm, 3.20pm, 4.40pm & 6pm**
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The time you book is your DEPARTURE time, NOT your arrival time!
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*10am service will not run on 26th-27th November 2022
**6pm service will not run on 24th December 2022
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THE SANTA EXPRESS TICKET PRICES
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Adult: £24.95
Child (over 12 months): £29.95
Infant with gift (under 12 months): £15.95
Infant with NO gift (under 12 months): FREE
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KEY INFORMATION
​TEA WITH SANTA includes:
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Allocated time slot for a delicious afternoon tea in The Cafe
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Santa himself will visit each table personally for a good old chat and to hear your all-important Christmas wishes
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Each child will receive a golden coin from Santa to choose a gift from inside his Toy Shop
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Christmas crafts
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Unreserved/unallocated return steam train rides to Cuckoo's Nest available throughout the day
Ticket Prices
TEA WITH SANTA 2023
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Table of four people (includes all person aged 12 months and over): £79.95
Infant (under 12mths): £9.95 - no afternoon tea but a gift will be provided
Additional adults/children - £20 per person
KEY INFORMATION
​SIMPLY SANTA includes:
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Return steam train ride to Shelley North Pole
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Individual family meeting with Father Christmas
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A gift for all children over 12mths (under 12mths have the option of selecting a gift or not when booking)
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Opportunity to make up a bag of magical reindeer food to take home
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Christmas Crafts
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Opportunity to write your Christmas wish and hang it on the Wishing Tree
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Edible festive treat for all guests over 12mths
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Meet Father Christmas’ cheeky elf
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The outdoor playgrounds, covered jumping pillow & Clayton Flyer miniature ride-on railway
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The Firebox café and gift shop will be open
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The Turntable ice cream parlour will be open at the North Pole
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THE SANTA EXPRESS includes:
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Everything included in Simply Santa plus:
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25 minute Christmas Elf Show at Clayton West (drop in, not allocated)
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Tram platform rides at the North Pole
Visitors are welcome to arrive earlier than their train departure and stay until facilities close.
Concessions, family tickets, discounts, vouchers, promotions, passes & offers are NOT available/valid on any Christmas experience
All bookings incur a £1.80 booking fee per transaction (not per ticket)
Advance booking is necessary - these events WILL sell out!
Your ticket will be valid for one allocated return journey from Clayton West Station to Shelley North Pole on a reserved, timed service with allocated seating.
The time you select is the time your train will DEPART Clayton West Station - please do not be late as the trains will not wait!
Age categories for gifts:
The age on the ticket dictates the age-appropriate gift given by Santa.
If your child's age is towards the end of a category, we advise moving up to the next age category:
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Under 12 months
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1-2 years old
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3-5 years
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6-9 years
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10-13 years
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14-17 years
THE SANTA EXPRESS includes:
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EVERYTHING listed above in Simply Santa PLUS:
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A 25 minute Christmas Elf Show (drop in, no need to book an allocated slot)
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Tram platform rides at the North Pole
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Hot food kiosk at the North Pole
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Visitors can arrive from 9.30am & stay until 7pm (from 10.25am on 26/27 Nov & until 6pm on 24 Dec)
Bookings MUST be made online and full payment is required at the time of booking.
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We regret that we cannot make bookings over the phone or in person - please do not put our staff in an awkward position by asking us to do so!
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All bookings will incur a £1.80 booking fee per transaction (not per ticket).
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After making your booking, you will receive an email confirmation - please keep it safe as you will need it on the day of your visit. Nearer to the time, you will be sent an email with further details about your Santa experience - keep an eye on your inbox and SPAM folders!
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable unless the event/service is cancelled by Whistlestop Valley.
If an event/service operates as scheduled but a ticket holder is unable to attend/use their tickets for whatever reason, no refund will be given.
Whistlestop Valley will do its best to operate the advertised event/services.
Should the Whistlestop Valley cancel an advertised event/service, tickets may be transferred to an alternative event/service (subject to availability) or a full refund may be given.
Vouchers, offers, concessions, carers discounts, promotions & other discounts are not valid for this event.
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Please note
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Seats aboard Simply Santa and The Santa Express are allocated. Any tickets booked together on one order will be seated together. We will NOT be able to alter this later
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Whilst all tickets booked together on one order will be seated together, you may find some of your party seated in a compartment with other people if you have a booking with an odd number of people
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These services feature illuminations and flashing lights at the stations, on the train and in the grotto. Please consider this when making bookings for those with sensitivities to flashing lights
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The last service on Christmas Eve (24th December) features a small fireworks display. Please consider this when making bookings for those with sensitivities to flashing lights and/or loud noises
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Concessions, family tickets, discounts, vouchers, passes & offers are NOT available/valid on these special events
