Santa's Sharpness Special - 12th-13th December 2026
About this Event
We’re back on the branch line, with Santa on board!
On Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December Santa’s Sharpness Special will offer a festive family train ride with music, gifts for the children and treats for every passenger.
Once again our heritage Pacer train, the star of our historic Return to Sharpness event, will be turning heads as you enjoy the ride from Sharpness to Berkeley Road Junction and back – this time with extra Christmas cheer.
We've teamed up with our local partners to bring you a delightful way to ease you into the run-up to Christmas, with an enchanting journey through the Gloucestershire countryside.
What you can look forward to...
On arrival, head into the Sharpness Sports and Social Club to check and receive your in souvenir tickets for the journey.
You’ll board a double-decker bus for the short trip to the Oldminster Sidings, where you’ll enter our Christmas marquee. After a quick look at the attractions (there’ll be more time to browse after the train ride) the Guard will invite you to board the train and settle in for a wonderful experience.
Soon after we set off Santa will begin to make his way down the train, chatting to each child in turn and giving them a gift suitable for their age range.
Adults won’t feel left out! Our volunteers will also be moving down the train, handing out mince pies / Christmas biscuits and mulled wine / fruit juice. Everyone will receive a cracker so you can don the hat, share the strange facts and groan at the jokes!
At the end of the journey you’ll have a chance to take a picture in front of the Pacer with its festive headboard, sharing the memory with Santa if you wish. Then it’s back on the bus for the return journey to the Sports and Social Club, where you’ll find more Christmas excitement, food and drinks.
Please note that boarding and disembarking the train is only possible at Oldminster Sidings. There are no other stations on the line.
About your train...
You’ll be riding on one of the Vale of Berkeley Railway’s Class 143 Pacer sets, a two coach diesel powered unit which offers a heritage experience. The Class 143 was introduced in 1985/86 and ours was used by GWR trains until December 2020. It can seat 100 passengers but for this event each train is limited to 90 passengers.
What else is at the event?
Our marquee at Oldminster Sidings, will celebrate the Christmas spirit with decorations and music. Here you can also take a journey through time, exploring our exhibition of period photographs depicting the history of the Sharpness branch, the Docks and the community. We’ll also show how the Vale of Berkeley Railway has developed since it began in 2015. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to join us as a member and find out what you could do as a volunteer!
At the Sharpness Sports and Social Club you’ll find a fully stocked bar serving tea / coffee and alcohol after 12:00 plus delicious fare (check their Facebook page for latest details). You will also be able to browse our range of gifts and souvenirs.
Who is running the event?
Santa’s Sharpness Special is organised by the Vale of Berkeley Railway, a 100% volunteer-run charitable trust based at Oldminster Sidings, Sharpness, Gloucestershire. Our charitable aims are to educate and inform people about the history of the Sharpness branch and its role in serving and developing the local community, and ultimately to run trains regularly on the Sharpness branch. We welcome new members and especially volunteers. You can find out how to join us via our website: www.vobr.org.uk
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00 to GBP 32.68
