To help plan your day on our Santa Steam Special, we’ve put
together some important information that you will need to read before you visit
us.
Important Information
Getting to us - we strongly advise you to use public transport, including the excellent
mainline train service to Kidderminster. For passengers making their way to us
by car, car parks are available nearby. You
must arrive at least 45 minutes before your train departure time. Remember that
car parks will be busy and that you may have a short walk to reach the station
platform. Car parking charges vary. Look
out for our Marshalls and yellow signage to assist with parking. Please allow
extra time for parking.
Parking
Postcodes:
- DY10 1QX, Station
- DY10 1QR, Comberton Place
- DY10 1XA, King Charles School
- DY10 1NB, Harriers Football Club (limited on some
dates)
- DY10 1JF, Green Street
Arrival - on
arrival at Kidderminster Station, your email confirmation will be scanned to
permit entry onto the concourse. Please have it ready on your mobile device, or
printed off. At
the station there is a comfortable Refreshment Room, the King & Castle
public house and a gift-shop stocked with seasonal items, as well as lots of
photo opportunities! #SVRSelfie! The Coalyard Miniature Railway will also be
operating on selected dates too for a small additional charge.
Please
listen out for announcements and join the queue when your train departure is
called. Our staff will then be on hand to direct you to your train.
Your seats on the train - you MUST travel on the date and train time booked.
Your group will be seated together by our staff providing you are all together
on the platform at the time of boarding. You will NOT be permitted to select
the part of the train you sit in. Seating on the train is available on tables
of 4, and compartments of 6 or 8. Groups with more than 8 members may not be
seated together.
Access for the Less Able - we are pleased to welcome visitors with
accessibility issues. Most of our trains have specially adapted carriages which
can accommodate standard sized wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Ramps, which
permit access for wheelchairs to our trains, are available at all stations. If
you have a person in your group who has accessibility issues and requires the use
of a wheelchair or mobility scooter, please reserve your place on the train at
the point of booking. If a space is not reserved, it is unlikely we will be
able to accommodate the vehicle on the train.
At Arley, we have a specially
adapted Grotto for wheelchair users, please enquire with a member of staff on
arrival for disabled-friendly access.
If
you break your journey at Bewdley on the return, please note that there is no
step-free access from and to the platform.
Buggies & pushchairs – these must be folded and loaded into the brake-van
on the train. They can be collected from our staff at the end of each journey.
Buggies and pushchairs are identified by numbered tags and a member of your
group will be given a corresponding numbered wristband to wear. Please ensure
your buggies & wheelchairs have rain protectors fitted. The SVR will not be
responsible for any water damage. Pushchair and buggy storage is available at
Arley, as they cannot be accommodated inside the Grotto.
Toilets & nappy changing facilities – you are strongly advised to use toilets located at
our stations. Whilst there are toilets on the trains, these facilities can be
affected by freezing weather conditions. Our on-train staff will do their best
to keep some toilets functioning at all times. Nappy changing facilities are
not available on the train. Please use the toilets at Kidderminster and Arley.
On-train catering – we endeavour to provide a trolley service on most trains. Hot and cold drinks
and light snacks may be purchased at your seats from one of our volunteer
stewards.
Dogs – dogs (assistance dogs excepted) are NOT permitted on any of our Christmas
services.
Smoking – smoking or the use of e-cigarettes is NOT permitted on our trains or anywhere
on the Railway. Please look out for advisory signs.
Event Information
Our Santa Steam Specials will take you to Santa’s Grotto at Arley.
There is a small gift-shop and refreshment kiosk at Arley. The
refreshment kiosk sells hot and cold drinks, light snacks, and roasted
chestnuts – make sure you have some loose change! The village of Arley
is a short walk from the Station; down the hill and across the river.
On arrival at Arley, you must leave the train and cross the railway
bridge to Santa’s Grotto. Whilst queuing undercover in the event
marquee, traditional live entertainment will be provided (subject to
availability). When you enter Santa’s Grotto, please have your email
confirmation ready to scan, and follow our Elves’ instructions. Make
sure you have your camera ready for a photo with Santa too!
If your child’s gift is not suitable, please enquire with a member of staff at Arley for a replacement.
You may return by any train from Arley, breaking your journey at
Bewdley if you wish. Seats for the return journey are available on a
first come, first served basis. Please note that a break of journey at
Bewdley is NOT possible on departures from Arley after 3.00pm.
The town of Bewdley is a short walk from the Station, and has a
number of independent shops and restaurants that are well worth a visit.
Once back at Kidderminster, hot drinks and meals can be purchased from our Refreshment Room.
The journey from Kidderminster to Arley (or return) takes
approximately 30 minutes. You will require a minimum of 3 hours for your
visit.
Return Journey Timetable
Arley, departures – 10.45, 11.15, 11.45, 12.15, 12.45, 1.15, 2.00, 2.30, 3.00, 3.30, 4.00, 4.30, 5.00, 5.30.
Bewdley, departures – 11.00, 11.30, 12.00, 12.30, 1.00, 1.30, 2.15, 2.45, 3.15, 3.45, 4.15, 4.45, 5.15, 5.45.
Kidderminster, arrivals – 11.11, 11.41, 12.11, 12.41, 1.11, 1.41, 2.26, 2.56, 3.26, 3.56, 4.26, 4.56, 5.26, 5.56.
If you have any queries, please give us a ring: 01562 757900.