Santa Specials at the East Lancashire Railway

Christmas days out can ask a lot of parents, but the East Lancashire Railway’s Santa Specials mostly ask you to turn up and sit down. Maybe that’s part of why they’ve been going strong for nearly four decades.

The day starts at Bury Bolton Street Station, transformed with festive scenes and populated by elves, Mrs Claus and the railway’s own Ice Princess. From there it’s onto a heritage steam train, a quick toot of the whistle, and a roughly 80-minute round trip up the Irwell Valley to Rawtenstall and back – all run with a punctuality Northern can only dream of.

Once on board, the entertainment comes to you. There are carols from a traditional brass band, a mince pie and a festive tipple for the grown-ups, and a visit from Santa himself. Time is built in for a proper conversation and photos, so it’s a far cry from the conveyor-belt grotto. Every child leaves with a gift chosen for their age band and an activity book, which should take care of the journey home.

New this year, a British Sign Language interpreter joins selected trains on 28-29 November and 5 & 22 December, on both standard and SEND services. Places are limited and booked by email. Dedicated SEND Family Santa Specials also run across the season.

Parking in Bury town centre is limited, so the easier start is the Santa Shuttle diesel railcar from Heywood. It takes about 15 minutes and tickets are open return. Child tickets start from £24.50 on the opening weekend, and prices rise the closer you get to Christmas Eve. In other words, the earlier you get on this, the better.