The Canterbury Christmas Express

Can you imagine a more lovely way to enjoy a festive day out, than aboard a special steam hauled train travelling through Southern England? Sit back, relax and watch the countryside go past your window as our steam locomotive is put through its paces hauling our train. Combine this with visiting Canterbury at Christmas when the city’s historic charm is accentuated by festive decorations and seasonal events.

Our train will leave London Victoria station at 10:00 steam hauled by Black 5 LMS Stanier Class 44871 and thread its way across the south London suburban lines through Bromley South, where after we will join the Maidstone line at Swanley. Cutting across central Kent, we will pass through Maidstone East and head for Ashford. Here, we will follow the line to Canterbury West. Canterbury is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, centred on its famous cathedral, founded in 597 A.D. At Christmas, the cathedral hosts special services and concerts, creating a spiritual and celebratory atmosphere.

During the festive season, the city comes alive with the Christmas market, where locals and visitors can revel in a traditional holiday experience. You will have several hours to enjoy a bit of Christmas shopping and experience some festivities and seasonal food and drink.

Canterbury was a pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages. Ancient walls, originally built by the Romans, encircle its medieval centre with cobbled streets and timber-framed houses. It has many sights to offer visitors, including the famous cathedral or the medieval gatehouse at Westgate Tower. Alternatively stay closer to Canterbury West station and have a browse through the Goods Shed, a farmers market selling all kinds of local produce.

Our onward route takes us eastwards from Canterbury West Station towards Minster, where we then travel southwards to Dover and then follow the English Channel coastline under the White Cliffs to Folkestone. From Ashford, our route takes us due west to Paddock Wood, where we will pause to take on water, before heading through Tonbridge in the direction of Orpington and Bromley to set down passengers and arrive at London Victoria at 17:40.

On Board Catering