Santa Specials - Additional Information
The experience starts with a journey on one of our vintage London buses from Epping or Ongar.
You must travel on the date and time booked, and you must sit in the compartment or seating area reserved and noted on your ticket. Don't forget to allow time to park before you catch the bus service from Epping or Ongar! Should you miss your booked time we will do our best to accommodate you at a different time on the same day, though as we expect most trains to be at capacity this is not guaranteed. We do not provide refunds if you miss your booked time and cannot be re-accommodated.
There is no public car parking at North Weald or Ongar stations.
Where can I park?
There is no parking at North Weald or Ongar stations.. Your ticket includes the park and ride Vintage London bus service from Epping Underground station or Ongar. Parking is available at Epping Underground station, or in car parks in Ongar High Street. The vintage London bus service will call at all stops on request.
Take the tube to Epping. If you can, take the tube to Epping. This is a convenient and cheap way to get to us. Epping is at the end of the Central Line with frequent services from Central London. A typical journey from Stratford is less than 30 minutes. More information on fares and routes are available from the tfl journey planner.
The vintage London bus picks up from right outside Epping Station.
Epping Station (CM16 4HW). The car park at Epping Station is very busy on weekdays – although convenient for the vintage London bus, you are advised to park elsewhere on weekdays. You can find details of parking charges here. The vintage London bus service departs from the front of Epping Station.
Ongar town centre. There are three car parks in Ongar Town Centre operated by Epping Forest District Council, and they are all very easy to find. The bus stops at all bus stops along Ongar HIgh Street a few minutes after leaving the Two Brewers at Ongar.
Where do I catch the bus?
The vintage London buses depart from right outside Epping Underground station, calling at all stops along Epping High Street, and from the Two Brewers car park in Ongar, again calling at all stops along Ongar High Street, including at the library for other car parks. The bus does not call into Ongar station.
Is there disabled access to the buses, the train and stations?
We regret that we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs onboard Santa's special train or on our vintage London buses, but do check with our Santa Specials team and we can advise the best compartments or family space to book that will allow a person to be assisted to a suitable seat. Whilst there is level access at North Weald there will be a small step up into the train. If you have any special accessibility requirements please contact us.
Can I get off the train during the journey?
Passengers should remain on the train throughout the journey so that Santa has the opportunity to see all the good children. There are no toilets on the train so in an emergency you can use the toilet at Ongar but do make sure you don't miss Santa's visit. The train journey lasts approximately 85 minutes.
If you started the experience at Ongar, you may leave the train here, once you have had a visit from Santa. If you wish to do so, you will not be able to return to North Weald on a later train.
Can I bring a buggy or a pushchair?
Please leave pushchairs and buggies in your car or at home if you can. Our traditional vintage London buses do not have dedicated spaces for pushchairs and buggies, and thse must be folded on the bus. There is limited space for buggies and pushchairs on the train. Please only bring them if absolutely necessary. We may refuse to accept your pushchair on the train at our discretion, however you will be able to leave it at North Weald until you return.
Where can I find toilets and nappy changing facilities?
There are no toilets on the train. There are toilet facilities at North Weald station. In an emergency you will be able to use the toilet at Ongar but be sure that you don’t miss Santa! Nappy changing facilities are available at North Weald and in the ladies toilet at Ongar. There are limited toilet facilities at Epping Underground station.
Can I bring my dog to see Santa?
We are unable to accommodate dogs, except assistance dogs, onboard the train.
Terms and Conditions for Santa's Special Trains
- Once booked, we do not offer refunds of monies paid for tickets. Limited changes may be possible subject to availability.
- The Epping Ongar Railway will endeavour to run the train and connecting heritage bus services to the timetables shown, however, we cannot be held responsible for the consequence of any delays howsoever caused. Santa's Special Train will await the arrival of any delayed connecting vintage London bus service though time at North Weald station prior to departure of the train may be limited in this case.
- Should you miss your booked time we will do our best to accomodate you at a different time on the same day, though as we expect most trains to be at capacity this is not guaranteed.
- These trains are scheduled to be hauled by a steam locomotive from North Weald to Ongar and a diesel locomotive from Ongar to North Weald. Our steam locomotives are over 70 years old and we reserve the right to substitute a diesel locomotive for steam should operational circumstances or other factors outside our control dictate. No refunds will be offered in the event the steam locomotive is substituted by a diesel locomotive.
- Should any train be cancelled by the Epping Ongar Railway due to unforeseen circumstances then a full refund of monies paid will be provided. We will not be liable for any consequential loss.
- No refunds will be provided should you miss any train, including in cases of severe weather or illness.