Get the holiday season off to a magical start this Christmas by coming for a journey aboard the Polar Express Train Ride in Staffordshire. The Churnet Valley Railway is pleased to be welcoming a return visit from Father Christmas and his Christmas Elves to enjoy a Christmastime steam-hauled train instead of the usual reindeer-hauled sleigh – and everyone is invited to join!

One of the best things to do in Staffordshire this year, Father Christmas and the Churnet Valley Railway welcome visitors to the Polar Express Train Ride. Bring the family along to meet Santa himself, and travel on a magical Christmas steam train ride through Staffordshire’s hidden valley.

The magic event happens less than half an hour’s drive from all of Stoke-on-Trent, Uttoxeter, and Macclesfield. Christmas trains depart from Froghall station on selected dates between 18th November and 23rd December 2023.

There is ample free parking and a station filled with a festive atmosphere, and refreshments will be serving a selection of hot and cold festive treats. This is supplemented by the Signals Souvenir Shop, which will be selling a range of gifts and souvenirs to take away – maybe even that last minute present! All of this before guests have even stepped aboard our Christmas train!

At the beginning of your trip, Father Christmas’ delightful elves will guide families to their seats in our beautiful, restored vintage passenger carriages, and then call upon Santa to come and say hello. But wait – where is Santa??

Oh no! It turns out that each elf thought the others had told Father Christmas to meet on the Christmas train, when actually nobody did! Well, we can’t have a Polar Express Christmas train ride without Father Christmas! Happy for a detour, we’ll have to take out Christmas train to the North Pole to pick Santa up.

Journeying through the Staffordshire countryside, our happy elves will help to spread the Christmas cheer with singalongs and quizzes to pass time on our adventure to the frozen North. Don’t forget to look out of the windows though, as magical happenings may be going on alongside the train tracks.

Once we pass the Northern Lights, the train will arrive at the North Pole – where we hope Father Christmas will be waiting for the Polar Express’ arrival! After welcoming Father Christmas aboard, we will then continue our journey as our hero makes his way through the train to greet everyone in person and collect all of the Santa Wish Lists in time for Christmas Day. Every little boy and girl will receive a wonderful gift, hand delivered by Father Christmas. Meanwhile, Santa’s Christmas Elves will be happy to provide drinks and some of the finest North Pole chocolate to all on board – including Mums, Dads, Grandmas, Grandads, and whoever else wants to come along! The atmosphere on-board the Christmas steam train will be festive, cosy, and fun for the whole family.

The Polar Express Christmas train ride will last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Passengers with a disability will find our staff happy to help with accommodations suitable for their needs, so that everyone can join in with all the fun. Sadly, dogs are not allowed on the Polar Express, with the exception of Guide Dogs.

** Please note images have been taken from the venue’s own site. Stay Play UK takes no responsibility for the copyright of these images **