The Railway Touring Company
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The Railway Touring Company · Steam day trip
The Bath and Bristol Christmas Express
Steam day trip from London to Bath and Bristol with Christmas Markets
The Railway Touring Company's Bath and Bristol Christmas Express is a one-day steam-hauled excursion departing London Paddington early on a Saturday morning in December. The train travels south and west via Slough, Reading, and Newbury on the Great Western main line and the Berks & Hants line, passing the White Horse hill carving near Westbury and crossing the historic Dundas Canal Aqueduct before arriving in Bath. Passengers enjoy over four hours of free time to explore Bath's Christmas Market, with more than 170 traditional wooden chalets, or to continue to Bristol to visit the S.S. Great Britain, Clifton Suspension Bridge, and the M Shed museum. Throughout the day, Father Christmas and his Elves board to distribute presents to children. Three meal tiers are available: Standard with a reserved seat at a table for four; First Class with morning and afternoon tea services; and Premier Dining with a full English breakfast and four-course dinner freshly prepared on board.
What to know before you look closer
- Only one December departure is currently listed; confirm dates directly with The Railway Touring Company before booking.
- The itinerary allows over four hours in Bath or Bristol but does not specify exact arrival and departure times; clarify the precise schedule when booking your tier.
Day by day
- Day 1rail
The Bath and Bristol Christmas Express
Steam-hauled from London Paddington via Slough, Reading and Newbury to Bath and Bristol, with free time to visit the Christmas Markets, before returning via Bath to London Paddington.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1The steam locomotive hauls the train through the Berkshire countryside past the White Horse hill carving near Westbury and over the Dundas Canal Aqueduct before arriving in Bath.
- Day 1Father Christmas and his Elves board the train to hand out presents to children during the journey.
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes. The Railway Touring Company includes steam-hauled rail travel from London Paddington to Bath and Bristol in all ticket prices. Meal and refreshment inclusions vary by tier: Standard includes a reserved seat; First Class adds morning tea or coffee with a breakfast roll and afternoon tea service; Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four-course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.
- Which trains operate this route?
- A steam locomotive hauls the train from London Paddington via Slough, Reading, and Newbury to Bath and Bristol, traveling the Great Western main line, the Berks & Hants line, and the Kennet & Avon canal route.
- When does this trip run?
- This is a seasonal December departure. The Railway Touring Company has listed one departure in December 2026.
- How much free time is there to explore?
- The itinerary allows over four hours to visit the Christmas Markets in Bath, which features over 170 traditional wooden chalets, or to continue to Bristol to see the S.S. Great Britain, Clifton Suspension Bridge, and the M Shed museum.
- Are there seat upgrades available?
- Yes. Standard seats start at GBP 120; First Class at GBP 225; Premier Dining at GBP 339. An optional upgrade to a table for two is available in Premier Dining or First Class.
