Events
Santa Specials 2023
Christmas comes but once a year, so take the train because Santa is near!
The event is now sold out - to join the waitlist please click here.
Santa is a very busy man around Christmas time, but once again, he has managed to find a space in his diary to visit the Ruislip Lido Railway. Santa will be at the railway in 2023 on:
Sunday 3rd December
Saturday 9th December
Sunday 10th December
Saturday 16th December
Sunday 17th December
Trains will run regularly from approx 10:50 am until 5:40pm. You should allow approx 60-75mins hours for your visit.
Your adventure will start from Willow Lawn Station (by the Waters Edge carvery and car parks), where you will board one of our trains at the time shown on your ticket that you booked for. The train ride, lasting about 12 minutes, will carry you on an enchanting ride through the woods and around the Lido to Santa’s Grotto at Woody Bay Station. Watch out for all the lights and decorations at both stations, and also along the way as you travel through the woods. On arrival at Woody Bay, Santa will be waiting for a chat with the children and a photo opportunity with all the family before everyone (yes – grown-ups too!) receive their presents. Once you’ve seen Santa, you may stay at Woody Bay as long as you wish before catching any train back to Willow Lawn Station, with another opportunity to see the trackside decorations along the way.
In addition to meeting the big man himself, pop in to our Turntable Tea Room where there will be our full range of hot & cold drinks and light refreshments. We will invite all our guests to join us for a a complimentry hot drinks and mince pie!
Do please note that this is an outdoor event, and even Santa himself cannot control the weather, so you will need to make sure you’re wrapped up appropriately well to keep you warm, snug, and dry.
FARES
Adults: £13.50
Children (1-15): £13.50
Babies (Under 18mths): £2
Want to see a little more? The below video was made back in 2016:
The event is extreamly popular so you must book to guarentee a seat.
All trains start from Willow Lawn Station (by the 'Waters Edge' carvery and car park)
Stay in touch with us:
Twilight Express 2023
Online booking opens on Saturday 30th September at 19:30.
Our Twilight Express service are back for 2023 by popular demand, a fantastic family evening out.
Your journey begins at Willow Lawn and operates non-stop back to Willow Lawn via Woody Bay, taking you through the woods at night!
The Ruislip Lido Railway is set on the borders of the ancient woodland of Ruislip, we know one of the most exciting parts about riding our Santa Special trains is travelling through the line at night spotting all our decorations in the dark – it’s truly magical – so we are now offering more people the opportunity to see our night decorations on our Twilight Express.
For a limited number of days immediately before Christmas (and Boxing Day evening) we are offering our visitors the opportunity to book onto the Twilight Express, departing Willow Lawn your journey will last for around 25minutes – a fantastic pre-Christmas evening out for Children & Adults.
Please note that this event is separate to our Santa Special Event, this event does not include a visit to Santa or any Gifts.
Adults £4.50.
Children £3.50.
Under 3 - Free. (Under 3's do not require a ticket).