Here at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways plans are all set and confirmed for our exciting Festive activities so get ready to… Steam into Christmas!
We are delighted to be offering a variety of festive fun this December as we look forward to Santa trains, Magical Carriage Grottos and Festive Footplate Rides!
Santa will be visiting both of our railways, providing visitors the opportunity to meet him aboard our Welsh Highland ‘Santa Trains’ or in his magical Christmas Carriage Grotto at Porthmadog Harbour Station.
Welsh Highland Railway Santa Trains : Caernarfon – Rhyd Ddu
December 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 22nd & 23rd (10:00 & 14:00)
The highlight of our festive calendar… our Welsh Highland Railway Santa Trains!
Our Santa Train journey begins at Caernarfon Station… once you’ve taken your seats, get ready to enjoy the scenic journey through Snowdonia National Park and look out for Santa and his Elves who will be passing through the train with gifts for all the well-behaved children!
A quick interval break at Rhyd-Ddu station allows an opportunity for some photo opportunities with Santa and his Elves before we make our way back to Caernarfon, with surprises in store during the return journey!
Our Santa Trains are perfect for getting your Christmas festivities up and running so make sure you join us for a magical journey through Snowdonia National Park.
Tickets for our Santa Trains:
Gold Class
Adult – £38.75
Child (3-15) – £38.75
Baby (0-2) – £4.95
Standard Class
Adult – £27.75
Child (3-15) – £27.75
Baby (0-2) – £4.95
Tickets include the following:
Adults – Mulled Wine, Mince Pie and a Christmas Cracker.
Children – Christmas Present from Santa, Carton of drink, biscuit and a Christmas Cracker.
Babies – Christmas Present from Santa, Carton of drink, biscuit and a Christmas Cracker.
Tickets for our Welsh Highland Santa Trains can be booked online or by calling our Booking Office Santa Hotline; 01766 516070
Santa’s Magical Christmas Grotto, Elf Express Shuttles & Footplate Rides in Porthmadog
December 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 22nd & 23rd
During his time in North Wales, Santa will also be visiting our Magical Carriage Grotto in Porthmadog!
Our team of elves have been working hard to transform one of our carriages into a magical Christmas grotto so expect to be wowed as you step inside to meet Santa!
Due to Santa’s busy schedule at this time of year, we are asking visitors to pre-book a slot.
If possible, we recommend you visit earlier in the hourly slot rather than later, so that everyone gets enough time to see Santa!
Tickets for our Magical Carriage Grotto:
Adult – £2.00
Child (3-15) – £8.25
Baby (0-2) – £4.95
We are also excited to be running our Elf Express Shuttle Trains between Porthmadog – Minffordd on every day that our Carriage Grotto is open!
Step on board and enjoy a fun-filled journey across the Cob and up to Minffordd Station with our team of Elves..!
Tickets for our Elf Express Shuttle Trains:
Adult – £6.00
Child (0-15) – £2.00
If that wasn’t enough, there will also Footplate Rides taking place in Porthmadog Station on the same dates allowing visitors a unique opportunity to have a short ride in the cab of one of our small steam engines!
There’s no need to book in advance or have a ticket, just head to the platform and join the queue! Footplate rides will be free, although donations towards the cost of coal etc are always welcome.
Tickets to visit the Grotto include a gift for each child, and can be booked online or by calling our Booking Office Santa Hotline; 01766 516070
Book Santa’s Christmas Grotto & The Elf Express Train Trip
The Winter Wanderer : Porthmadog – Tan-y-Bwlch
December 28th – January 2nd inclusive (10:30 & 13:45)
Join us for a magical winter journey through the Ffestiniog Valley, with time for a refreshing woodland wander at Tan y Bwlch!
Our ‘Winter Wanderer’ services begin at Porthmadog Harbour Station, where the station facilities and gift shop will be open, allowing you to purchase seasonal refreshments or perhaps a late festive gift prior to departure.
Once on board, sit back and enjoy as the train sets off from Porthmadog, crossing the scenic estuary along the Cob embankment before travelling through pastures, villages and ancient woodlands as the railway makes its way into the Vale of Ffestiniog.
At Tan y Bwlch, there will be a 1 hour 10 minutes break, giving passengers the perfect opportunity to stretch their legs and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the beautiful woodland setting. Why not visit the Tan y Bwlch Station Tearooms for a warming drink or a bite to eat, or take a brisk winter walk through the surrounding woods before returning to the train?
After your winter wander, climb back aboard and the ‘Winter Wanderer’ and settle in for the return journey to Porthmadog, enjoying the scenery from the comfort of your carriage.
The Harbour station gift shop will be open during the day, so you can purchase a memento of your day or perhaps a late festive gift!
We will be offering both standard and first-class seating on our ‘Winter Wanderer’ services.
Total journey time will be approx. 2hr 20minutes including a 1 hour 10 minutes layover at Tan y Bwlch Station.
*Please note; the ‘Winter Wanderer’ service is NOT a ‘Santa Train’ service… i.e. Santa will not be on-board for this journey! For Santa Trains, please see our Welsh Highland Santa Trains.
The Christmas Aberglaslyn : Porthmadog – Beddgelert
December 28th – January 2nd inclusive (11:25 & 14:10)
Shrug off any Post-Christmas Blues with a scenic trip into Eryri/Snowdonia on the southern end of our Welsh Highland Railway!
Our ‘Christmas Aberglaslyn’ services begin at our Porthmadog Harbour Station, where Spooner’s and our Gift shop will be open, allowing you to purchase seasonal refreshments or perhaps a late festive gift prior to departure.
Once on board, sit back and enjoy as the train sets off from Porthmadog, travelling through the beautiful landscapes of Snowdonia National Park, before following the spectacular Aberglaslyn Pass towards Beddgelert.
At Beddgelert, there will be a short 20 minute break, allowing passengers an opportunity to stretch their legs, enjoy the views and take some photos, before setting off on the return journey to Porthmadog.
The Harbour station gift shop will be open on your return, so you can purchase a memento of your day or perhaps a late festive gift!
We will be offering both standard and first-class seating on our ‘Christmas Aberglaslyn’ services.
Total journey time will be approx. 1 hour 40 minutes including a 20min layover at Beddgelert station.
*Please note; the ‘Christmas Aberglaslyn’ service is NOT a ‘Santa Train’ service… i.e. Santa will not be on-board for this journey! For Santa Trains, please see our Welsh Highland Santa Trains.
Book Christmas Aberglaslyn Now!
Christmas Gifts
ILet us help with your present list. Our station shops will open on days when trains are running, offering a wide range of souvenirs, railway items, books and DVDs. Also available 24/7, from our online shop