Santa Steam Specials at Avon Valley Railway

Every child wants to see Father Christmas at Christmas time, but busy shops with long queues full of children waiting up to a couple of hours can quickly drain you of your Christmas cheer.

The Avon Valley Railway has a far more attractive and original idea. Every weekend from Late November to Christmas Eve, Father Christmas will be on the steam train at the Avon Valley Railway. Accompanied by his helpers he will make his way along the train, stopping to talk to all the children and, providing they have been good, give them each a quality present. Parents are not neglected as everyone will also receive a delicious mince pie or festive biscuit.

The six mile round trip takes approximately one hour, during which time, from the comfort of your reserved seats, all the family can enjoy the splendid views of the Avon Valley from the old fashioned carriages and experience the unique sights, sounds and smells of a bygone age when steam was king.

Up to six trips depart throughout the day. Tickets are priced from £7.00 each for children and adults. In comparison with the average charges made to see Santa in the high street stores, the train tickets are excellent value for money.

It is advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment. This can be done over the telephone by credit card.

Also during the festive season, why not experience one of our Sherry & Mince Pie Specials?

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A qulaity present for every fare paying child who meets Santa!

FARES

Adult - £7.00 low-season/£8.00 mid-season/£9.00 high-season/£10.00 peak-season - including a ride on the steam train and a delicious mince pie.

Child (aged 1-14) - £7.00 low-season/£8.00 mid-season/£9.00 high-season/£10.00 peak-season - including a ride on the steam train, a present from Father Christmas and a delicious festive biscuit.

Children under one year - £5.00 Unaccompanied children are not permitted and parents may not bring their own presents for the children.

Cancellation & Changes - An administration charge of £4.00 is made for cancelled bookings and £4.00 for alterations to bookings.

TIMETABLE
Trains will depart from Bitton Station at:

10.30 11.45 13.00 14.15 15.30* 16.45*

*These times may not run on all dates, contact us for exact information

Dates for 2008 season

Low-season: Sun 30th Nov 2008
Mid-season: Sat 6th dec 2008
Mid-season: Sun 7th dec 2008
Mid-season: Mon 8th dec 2008
Mid-season: Sat 13th dec 2008
High-season: Sun 14th dec 2008
High-season: Sat 20th dec 2008
Peak-season: Sun 21st dec 2008
Peak-season: Tue 23rd dec 2008
Peak-season: Wed 24th dec 2008

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Santa Special experience lasts for approximately one hour. All fare paying passengers are allocated reserved seats. To ensure a seat on the train of your choice please book early. For your comfort, smoking is not permitted on the train. Dogs, except guide dogs, are not allowed on the train.

Promotional discount vouchers and members' concessions are not valid during this period. Limited accommodation for wheelchair passengers is available on request. Refunds are not issued if you do not arrive on time, and whilst every effort will be made to accommodate you on a later train, this cannot be guaranteed.

Whilst every effort will be made to maintain the timetable the Company does not guarantee that the trains will depart at the times stated, and reserves the right to cancel, alter or suspend any train without notice or to substitute any locomotive. No liability for loss or inconvenience can be accepted.

No booking will be accepted without accompanying payment. Seats are allocated in order of receipt of booking forms. Tickets will be despatched from October and thereafter within seven working days of receipt of the booking form.

MOTHER AND TODDLER GROUPS: Santa Special trains, especially set aside for playgroups, are running on Monday 8th December. Contact us now to find out about special discounts for group bookings.

For further information please call 0117 932 5538

Venue

Avon Valley Railway, Bitton

Dates

Date 30 Nov 2008 - 24 Dec 2008

Tickets Information

Road Directions

Bitton Station is situated midway between the cities of Bristol and Bath, on the A431 main road, approximately one mile from the town of Keynsham. Car parking spaces are available at Bitton station, and are free.

Public Transport Directions

Rail
The nearest National Rail station to Bitton is Keynsham. Keynsham is on the Bristol - Westbury - Weymouth line and also served by a few Cardiff Central - Portsmouth Harbour trains. All services are operated by First Great Western, and connect with inter-city trains also operated by First Great Western and Virgin Trains at Bath Spa or Bristol Temple Meads. For timetable and fares information visit National Rail Enquiries Online or telephone 08457 48 49 50.

The distance from Keynsham to Bitton on foot is 1.5 miles: simply turn right out of the station exit and follow the road until you pick up the AVR brown tourist signs. From Keynsham bus services 532 and 533, operated by South Gloucestershire Bus and Coach, run twice an hour Monday to Saturday: timetables are available on South Gloucestershire Council's website. Buses pick up from the stop immediately across the road from Keynsham station's car park entrance, and set down in Willsbridge (ask the driver for the Avon Valley Railway).

Buses 532 and 533 do not run on Sundays or Bank Holidays: on these days catch a train to Bath Spa and then a bus from Manvers Street bus station, just across the road from the railway station (see below for details of this bus service). You may also find this more convenient at certain times on weekdays and Saturdays when the train service at Keynsham can be sparse.

Bus
Bus service 332, between Bristol and Bath bus stations, sets down in Willsbridge about 200 yards from Bitton station: ask the driver for Avon Valley Railway. This service operates hourly Monday to Saturday and every two hours on Sundays and bank holidays, when it is also renumbered to 632. For up-to-date timetable information visit South Glos Bus and Coach's website and enter the service number in the timetable search facility. Alternatively telephone Traveline on 0870 608 2608.

 Facilities

Parking & Transport

• Car parking

Payment Methods

• Booking essential

Establishment Features

• Cater for groups

Specialist Features

• Marketed towards children