Relaxed Santa’s Steam Specials

What we are doing differently

We understand everyone’s needs are different, and whilst we are unable to cater to each individual need, we hope that a relaxed performance makes the experience a bit more comfortable for those who may feel overwhelmed in such situations.

Arrival

The relaxed performance will be on the first train of the day, the 10.00am train from Kidderminster – so when you arrive you will find plenty of space in the car park and a quieter station concourse.

Please ensure you pay for your parking; its £4 per day.

Once parked up, it’s a short, level walk, along a narrow fenced pathway to the station. You’ll catch your first glimpse of the train here.

Our friendly staff will be available on the concourse if you requires any assistance.

You will receive your carriage and seat allocation ahead of your visit via email. Therefore, you don’t need to visit and queue at the Booking Office to collect your tickets.

At Kidderminster Station, there are toilets, a gift shop and our refreshment room.

The station toilets do have hand dryers in them, and although they are not particularly noisy ones, you can avoid them and use the paper towels instead.

The train will depart at 10.00am and the carriages will be ready and waiting for you on the platform, so you can arrive and get straight on the train if you wish.

Boarding the train

You can walk down the platform to find your carriage (carriages will be numbered) and then your compartment/table (compartments/tables will be lettered). We’d suggest walking down the platform rather than down the train as the carriages have narrow corridors and some dark areas. Carriages have doors at each end, and sometimes in the centre.

Carriage numbers will be clearly displayed on the window of the carriages.

Once you’re in your compartment/at your table, this space is yours for the entire experience and is a safe and secluded area for your family specifically.

Compartments have their own internal door providing access to and from the corridor. This can be open or closed. There is also a small window which you can open or close. Compartments are heated using steam-powered radiators, so please open the window if it gets to warm.

Table bookings will have a vacant table on the opposite side of the carriage, as well as either side. Table bookings will be staggered through the carriage.

If time permits you are welcome to look at the steam locomotive from the platform, but remember they can be noisy, with steam hissing.

You are of course welcome to bring electronic devices with you. However, our heritage carriages do not have charging points or Wi-Fi. There is patchy 4G coverage throughout the journey on the train. Please make sure they are fully charged and work offline if required.

You are also welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks to enjoy on the train or you can purchase items from the station before boarding.

Your journey

The journey from Kidderminster to Arley will take around 30 minutes.

A whistle will be blown when the train is ready to leave the station.

There is a long tunnel shortly after the departure from Kidderminster. Look out for the lights coming on in the carriage – this is a good indication that it is coming up.

There is a road crossing just after Bewdley station (or just before on the return journey) which does have a flashing light and beeping sound that, unfortunately, we cannot turn off for safety reasons. You’ll know when this is approaching as the train will slow down to a walking pace.

There are toilets on the train, including a disabled toilet in the centre of the train.

Due to safety requirements, you may hear whistles from the steam engine occasionally on the journey. These will be louder the closer you are to the engine.

During the journey, you will be visited by one of our train managers who will check everything is okay and cross check information held on Santa’s list. They will knock on the compartment window (the one next to the corridor) and you can then either invite them in or, if you prefer, one of you can join them in the corridor instead. In open carriages with tables, the train manager will talk to you next to your table if you wish.

We appreciate some passengers may wish to move around and walk in the train, please just be aware of the movement of the train and follow any safety instructions by the train staff. The train may have to brake suddenly, so make sure you have something to hold onto.

Arrival at Arley

Once you arrive at Arley, please await instruction as to when to leave the train. The marquee housing the pantomime is a short, flat walk from the train.

If you are in the three coaches at the front of the train you will need to walk along the train to reach a door that is next to the platform.

There will be staff on hand to guide you and we have allowed plenty of time so if you need to, you can wait until the corridor is a little quieter.

You are also welcome to stay on the train rather than go into the performance – just be aware that the elves will be moving up and down the train carrying out the duties Santa has given them.

The Performance

The performance will be held in a large marquee, featuring a stage and seating on regular chairs. There is tiered seating, with steps between the levels.

You will be directed to seats by our friendly and welcoming staff.

As the train will have a reduced capacity, there will be unoccupied seats. If you have any specific needs or preferences, then let the staff know and they will do their best to accommodate this.

For the performance itself, the lights will remain on.

The friendly actors will be wearing microphones, but we will be turning the volume down so it is just loud enough to be heard from every seat.

There will be sound effects as you make your way into and out of the marquee. There will also be some songs to enjoy as part of the pantomime itself, which you can choose to join in or not.

As it is a relaxed performance, we are sure that all families will be completely understanding if you or your child needs to move around, talk or step outside for a break. However, the stage itself will remain off limits to please ensure your child understands this and that you support them in not straying to close and being tempted to make an acting debut. There will be space outside in the station grounds for you to get some fresh air, but other than the toilets there will not be any other inside spaces to go beyond the performance marquee and the train.

In the entrance to the marquee there will be a counter selling sweets, drinks and novelties throughout your time at the station.

The performance lasts 30 minutes and then it is time to return to your seats on the train for the return journey.

There is roughly 15-20 minutes after the production to when our train’s departure. We will make sure no-one is left behind.

Back to Kidderminster

As with the outbound journey, this will be non-stop train.

Once back on board the train you may find a festive surprise has been left for you on your seat!

There will be another train arriving a few minutes before we are due to depart from Arley, on the opposite platform.

On arrival at Kidderminster you will need to leave the train, but you will have around 20 minutes to do so and you may see some passengers arriving for their festive train.

When walking up the platform, it is likely that you have to walk past the steam locomotive that pulled the train.

If you are feeling brave you can get close and say hello to the driver and fireman, but you can also walk on the other side of the platform. Or maybe you just may like to take a photograph of the steam engine to remember your trip.

It might be slightly busier on the concourse as families arrive for the next departure, but there is a one way exit to the car park that you can take advantage of.