Our What’s On West guide looks at holiday trips by train, tram and boat!
If you’re looking for something special to do in the run-up to Christmas, what about a festive train, tram or boat trip?
There’s something a bit magical about riding on a traditional steam train or heritage tram, all decked out with Christmas decorations.
Or, how about taking a winter trip out on the water? All in a comfortable, heated boat, with mulled wine and mince pies on offer!
And, while Santa may usually travel on his reindeer-drawn sleigh, he can also be found on some other modes of transport, writes Philippa Davies.
Here are some of the festive outings on offer in Devon this Christmas:
Dartmouth Steam Railway Train of Lights
Wednesday, November 27 – Monday, December 30
The journey starts at Dartmouth Steam Railway’s station in Paignton, on a train with vintage carriages decorated with thousands of lights: inside and out.
The train travels through the 450-metre Greenway tunnel to an ‘enchanted forest’ with illuminated displays.
It then arrives at Dartmouth, with its lights twinkling on the River Dart, and turns around at Kingswear, where passengers can get out and take photos on the platform, before re-embarking for the journey back to Paignton.
South Devon Railway Polar Express Train Ride, from Friday, November 29
Starting at Buckfastleigh, the train journey recreates the 2004 film The Polar Express, based on a 1985 book of the same name, in which a young boy joins a train carrying other children to the North Pole to meet Santa.
There will be dancing chefs, hot chocolate and cookies, and a reading of the Polar Express story.
Santa will then climb aboard the train and present everyone with a silver bell from his sleigh. Travellers are invited to wear festive pyjamas, in keeping with the story, and bring their copy of the book if they want to. The train trip lasts about an hour.
Seaton Tramway is also offering a ‘Polar Express’ trip
From Friday, November 29 until Tuesday, December 24
A themed tram ride takes passengers to ‘the North Pole’ where they meet Santa and receive a silver sleigh bell.
There is on-board entertainment and each traveller is served hot chocolate and a cookie. Each tram seats just 24 people, for a cosy, small-group experience.
Plym Valley Railway Christmas Express
Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 22
The Plym Valley Railway Christmas Express runs at weekends between Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 22. Passengers board at Marsh Mills station and travel to Plym Bridge and back.
There are activity packs to entertain children on the train, and they can meet Santa either on the way to Plym Bridge or during the return journey. There are Gold, Silver or Bronze ticket options to suit different budgets.
Lynton and Barnstaple narrow gauge railway
Saturday, December 14 and Tuesday 24
The Lynton and Barnstaple narrow gauge railway is operating Christmas and New Year specials between Woody Bay and Killington Hall stations, a 25-minute trip.
Passengers on the Santa Special between Saturday, December 14 and Tuesday 24 will travel in decorated heritage carriages, receive a mince pie and a hot drink, and meet Santa. (Not running on December 16 and 17). The New Year Specials run between Saturday, December 28 and Sunday, January 5.
Trago Mills’ Newton Abbot: Santa’s North Pole Express trip
Bickington Steam Railway
Trago Mills’ Newton Abbot store is running a Santa’s North Pole Express trip on the Bickington Steam Railway until Sunday, December 22. Travellers will receive a gift from Santa and a drink, along with entrance to the model railway.
Sail with Santa cruises along the River Exe
Saturday, December 7 and Sunday 22
For those who fancy a trip out on the water, Exmouth’s Stuart Line Cruises have several festive options.
Between Saturday, December 7 and Sunday 22, the Sail with Santa cruises along the River Exe feature on-board entertainment from a traditional Punch and Judy show, and a visit to Santa in his grotto on the lower deck.
Christmas drinks and snacks are available, including mulled wine for adults, and the boats have heated indoor decks.
There are also Festive River Cruises throughout December, including Christmas Day, and one-way trips along Exeter Canal, either from Exmouth to Exeter or vice versa on Tuesday, December 10 and Wednesday 11.
Full details of all these events, with ticket prices and booking information, can be found on the train, tram and boat company websites.