We went to the
Bluebell Railway to visit Santa last Sunday and Munchkin loved every minute of it (almost). The Bluebell has several Christmas packages and we opted for this one because it seemed to include the most for our money. We had originally intended to book a first class compartment, but the helpful man on the booking line explained that you see Santa for longer in a standard class compartment; he only pops his head round the door in First Class. Even standard class wasn't cheap, but I think it was worth the money. Munchkin is still young enough to travel as a toddler, but I paid the child rate so she could have her own seat. Standard (aka third) class tickets prices are: Adult - £20, Child £13, Toddler - £9. We were on the first train of the day, which I'm glad about because it meant it was relatively quiet when we arrived. People who arrived later on had to use the overflow car park in a field down the road.
The Santa Special goes between Sheffied Park and Horsted Keynes stations. There was a children's roundabout and a few fairground type stalls at Sheffield Park. The roundabout was meant to be free for the first go, and £1 thereafter but they weren't very strict about this. Munchkin won a doll on the Lucky Dip but I wouldn't describe this doll as lucky. So far her head and one arm have fallen off!
When the train arrived, we found our allocated seats. We didn't know whether we'd be seeing Santa on the way to Horsted Keynes or the return journey. It turned out that we saw him on the way there. Munchkin was given an embroidered red bag containing a gift. It was a cuddly lamb, who is now called "Bluebell". Munchkin loves Bluebell, and she's been everywhere with her for the past week. Munchkin was also given Smarties, and the grown ups were given mince pies.
Munchkin was a bit overwhelmed at Horsted Keynes. She didn't want to have her photo taken with Father Christmas. The Victorian fairground games and sideshows on the station were fun and good value (6 goes for £1, I think) but mainly a little grown up for Munchkin.
Upon our return to Sheffield Park, we went to the carvery restaurant for Christmas lunch. This was OK, but nothing special. Given that the Santa Special is aimed at children, I think they could have done more to promote children's meals. We were able to get child sized portions, despite there being no mention of them on the menu enclosed with our train tickets, and the waitress got Munchkin a tub of ice cream from the cafe downstairs because the desserts on the carvery menu were too big and rich for her.
We loved the Bluebell, and will be signing Munchkin up to the Stepney Club. She'll get a newsletter about Stepney (who appears in the Thomas the Tank Engine series), a birthday card, invitations to special events, and reduced rate train travel for just £8 a year, £12 for 2 years, or £16 for 3 years.
Adult £20.00 Child £13.00 Toddler £9.00
Adult £20.00 Child £13.00 Toddler £9.00
Adult £20.00 Child £13.00 Toddler £9.00
