PRESS RELEASE
1st November 2023
‘Legendary' Santa Specials experience celebrates tourism award with more tickets on offer
A decades-old Christmas tradition based in Kent, enjoyed by generations of families from around the country, has just picked up a prestigious annual tourism award.
The Kent & East Sussex Railway's Santa Specials, which run every weekend during December plus Christmas Eve, are to receive a gold, silver or bronze award in the 2024 Beautiful South Awards. In addition, they could also be crowned Event/Festival of the Year when the overall winner is announced at a ceremony in Brighton on Friday 15thDecember.
More tickets than ever for 2023
The popularity of the Santa Specials has grown every year with many visitors, who came as children, returning to bring not just their own children but now their grandchildren to enjoy the never-to-be-forgotten magic. As a result, tickets regularly sell out well before Christmas - some 14,000 in 2022.
Santa will be waiting! Photo: Robin Coombes
This year the K&ESR has added both further days and an extra service on each running day to meet the continued rise in demand. There are therefore still some seats available on selected services - including in wheelchair-accessible carriages - but customers will need to hurry to book the remaining places before they are snapped up.
Beyond a steam train ride
The K&ESR Santa Special experience goes way beyond a heritage steam train ride through the wintry Wealden landscape. Along with the 70-minute journey it includes: age-appropriate educational presents for children; complimentary festive refreshments; a family photo; a magician performing on board and at the station, plus entry to the Winter Wonderland marquee and unlimited free rides on the vintage gallopers.
The main attraction, Santa himself, travels on the train, giving out presents and talking to children at their seats, assisted by his team of elves.
Santa visits children at their seats
Tickets include unlimited galloper rides
This year, the K&ESR is also running a ‘Quiet Day' service onSunday 26th November for those who prefer a less intense visit, including families who have children with special needs. Whilstthere arefewer departures and no Christmas music playing,the service includesall ofthe regularfeaturesof Santa Specials.
‘Legendary' experience
"We couldn't be more delighted and proud that this legendary Christmas experience has been recognised in the prestigious Beautiful South Awards, which are rigorously judged by experts in the tourism industry," said K&ESR General Manager Robin Coombes.
"The award is a testament to the hard work of our team, including hundreds of dedicated volunteers who give up many hours of their time to help deliver such a special experience every year. We can't wait to welcome everyone again this year."
Amongst the K&ESR's dedicated volunteers are Chief Stationmaster Geoff Colvin - voted VisitEngland Tourism Superstar of the Year by the public earlier this year for going ‘above and beyond' in his role - and Elliott Waters who has reached the finals of the Rail person of the Year in the Rail Staff Awards. Elliot has a day job on the regular railway but volunteers at the K&ESR at weekends and for special events including the Santa Specials.
For more information and to book for the Santa Specials, visit the website at:www.kesr.org.uk
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Photos by Robin Coombes
For further information please contact:Alison Miles, Press Officer, K&ESR
amiles@kesr.org.uk/ 07900 691116
Notes to editors
About the Santa Specials:Each December, the K&ESR offers children the magical experience of meeting Santa aboard a heritage steam train, as it travels through the wintery countryside.The first Santa Specials ran on the K&ESR in 1974 and every year since apart from 2020 due to the COVID lockdown. Even then, the railway ensured that children would not miss out on seeing Santa: the railway arranged for him to record a message, seated on board the train, which concluded with a reading of the much-loved Christmas poem:T'was The Night Before Christmas. This video can be foundhere
About the Kent & East Sussex Railway:The Kent & East Sussex Railway is a renowned heritage railway based in Tenterden, Kent, UK. Built by Holman F Stephens, it was the first light passenger railway in Britain in the early 20thcentury and is today one of Britain's most loved and original heritage lines which will be celebrating the 50thanniversary of reopening in 2024. With a rich history spanning over 120 years, the K&ESR offers visitors an authentic steam and diesel-powered railway experience through 10½ miles of Wealden countryside in the beautiful Rother Valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Staffed almost entirely by volunteers, the railway prides itself on preserving railway heritage, operating a diverse range of locomotives, and providing a unique glimpse into the golden age of rail travel.