Steam Into Christmas

at Didcot Railway Centre
Didcot Available from Sat 5 Dec to Wed 23 Dec

Inc. unlimited train rides

+ free gift for children

Book Steam Into Christmas tickets and help Santa find his missing reindeer at Didcot Railway Centre

There's a Christmas emergency at Didcot Railway Centre! Santa's reindeer have escaped and he needs your help to find them before Christmas Eve. Join a festive adventure packed with steam trains, Christmas surprises and a special visit to Santa himself.

  • Search for Santa's missing reindeer around the railway centre
  • Receive a Christmas stocking and special reindeer passport on arrival
  • Collect gifts at each reindeer station you discover
  • Meet Santa in his giant toy workshop
  • Choose your own Christmas present from Santa's selection
  • Enjoy unlimited train rides throughout your visit
  • Explore one of Britain's most fascinating railway museums
  • Book early to secure your preferred arrival time!

Steam Into Christmas at Didcot Railway Centre

  • Dates: 5th & 6th December, 12th & 13th December, 19th, 20th, 22nd & 23rd December
  • Location: Didcot Railway Centre, Station Road, Didcot, Oxfordshire
  • Duration: Allow approximately 2-3 hours for the experience
  • Arrival: Guests must book a specific arrival time
  • Tickets Include: Reindeer trail, Christmas stocking, gifts, Santa visit, Christmas present and unlimited train rides

Reindeer trails, festive gifts and unlimited steam train adventures - all included in your tickets!

Your Christmas adventure begins with a special passport and stocking. As you explore Didcot Railway Centre's living museum, you'll search for Santa's missing reindeer hidden at special stations across the site.

Every reindeer you find rewards your detective work with a small gift, bringing you one step closer to helping Santa save Christmas. Once you've located the whole herd, make your way to Santa's giant toy workshop to meet the man himself and choose a Christmas present.

  • Missing Reindeer Trail: Search the railway centre and help Santa reunite his team
  • Christmas Passport: Track your progress as you discover each reindeer station
  • Festive Gifts: Collect small gifts as rewards along the trail
  • Meet Santa: Visit Santa's giant toy workshop and share your Christmas wishes
  • Choose a Present: Pick your own gift from Santa's festive selection
  • Unlimited Train Rides: Travel on the main demonstration railway throughout the day
  • 21-Acre Living Museum: Explore historic locomotives, carriages and railway exhibits
  • Festive Refreshments: Visit the café for seasonal food and drink during your visit

Gather the family, climb aboard and enjoy one of Oxfordshire's most magical Christmas experiences at Didcot Railway Centre.

Location

Didcot Railway Centre

Station Road,
Didcot,
Oxfordshire,
OX11 7NJ
Show on Google Maps

How To Find Us

On arrival, the entrance to the Railway Centre is through the ticket hall of the Didcot Parkway mainline railway station.

Didcot is 53 miles west of London, 10 miles south of Oxford and almost halfway between London and Bristol on Brunel's original Great Western Railway.

By train:

Great Western Railway trains serve Didcot Parkway with direct services from London Paddington, Reading and Thames Valley, Oxford, the Midlands, Swindon, Bath, Bristol and South Wales.

Visitors arriving by train should follow the signs to the Railway Centre in the subway as you leave the platforms at Didcot Parkway. Turn right at the bottom of the steps from the platforms and you will see the double doors to the entrance.

By bus:

Thames Travel run daily services from Oxford & Abingdon and Wallingford.

Buses stop at the front of Didcot Parkway railway station.

By car:

The Railway Centre is signposted from the M4 (junction 13) and the A34, follow the brown signs to Didcot Railway Centre. It can also be accessed from the M40 and A34. Take the turning for the Milton Interchange.

If you are using a SAT-NAV to find the site, please do not use the address for Didcot Railway Centre as this will take you into the middle of a housing estate. 

There are no car parks operated at Didcot Railway Centre, however, there are three options available for use nearby. The main railway station multi-storey car park (Foxhall Rd) is the only one that takes cash or card payments. This car park is your destination if you follow the brown signs to Didcot Railway Centre.

The car park does not have a postcode. Use the What3Words: caves.wades.slanting to find the car park

From the car park, leave on foot, via the covered walkway from Level 2 which leads to the front of Didcot Parkway station.

Facilities
  • Refreshment rooms
  • Picnic area
  • Shop
  • Toilets
  • Baby-changing facilities
More Info
What are the Didcot Railway Centre locomotives in traffic?

The locomotives currently in traffic at Didcot Railway Centre include: 

  • 1340 - Trojan - GWR (Avonside) 0-4-0 Saddle Tank Locomotive
  • 2999 - Lady of Legend - GWR 4-6-0 Tender Locomotive
  • 4079 - Pendennis Castle - GWR 4-6-0 Tender Locomotive
  • 4144 - GWR 2-6-2 Prairie Tank
  • 2409 - King George - Hunslet 0-6-0 Tank Locomotive
  • 31 270 - Athena - Brush Type 2 Diesel Electric
  • D9516 - Class 14 0-6-0 Teddy Bear Ex BR(WR) Diesel Hydraulic
  • 08604 - Phantom - Class 08 0-6-0 BR Diesel-electric shunter
Are dogs allowed at Didcot Railway Centre?

Well-behaved dogs are welcome to the centre but should be kept on a lead at all times. Please make sure to pick up after your dog. Only assistance dogs are allowed at the refreshment rooms. 

Is Didcot Railway Museum wheelchair accessible?

A new entrance ramp is in the process of being installed at Didcot Railway Centre, with a ceremonial opening set to take place in February 2024. 

There is currently an unavoidable 18-step entrance to the site. 

From the main entrance, there is level access to: 

  • Engine Shed
  • Transfer Shed
  • The Signalling Centre
  • GWT Museum
  • Accessible Toilet
  • Refreshment room
  • Shop
  • Picnic area
How long should I spend at Didcot Railway Centre?

You should allow at least two hours to explore everything that the Didcot Railway Centre has to offer. 

How long is the track at Didcot Railway Centre?

There are two demonstration lines which provide unlimited train rides all day (breaking only for lunch). Each demonstration line is about half a mile long.

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