Ho, ho, ho

What the Sunderland Echo had to say about Bowes Santa Specials:

ONLY six days to go, and counting, for Santa to drop his presents off at the homes of children across Wearside and East Durham. But in the run-up to the big night thousands of children have already been to see Santa at stores and garden centres across the area.

But how do they measure up? Are his presents up to scratch? What’s his grotto like? And, most importantly of all, has he got the Ho Ho factor? (ie. is he a convincing Santa?)
Our team of intrepid reporters (plus an excited bunch from our advertising and promotions department) took to the road in search of Wearside’s and Durham’s best Santa.

Where: Santa Special, Bowes Railway, Springwell Village.
When: Certain weekends before Christmas, but fully booked now. Getting there: Accessible by car. Cost: £6 for children and £3 for adults.

Santa’s outfit: Warm red robe and believable beard.
His grotto: A ride on a real steam train - the Santa Special - takes you to Santa’s grotto, which is set among the old workshops of the Bowes Railway.

The historic building was covered in Christmas decorations, and Murton Brass Band played festive tunes while people waited in line to see the great man.

Presents: A large toy dog for Charlotte and a truck and helicopter for James - worth about £5 each. A glass of sherry and a mince pie for the adults.
Ho ho ho factor: A ride on a steam train, expensive presents, a lovely Santa, festive brass band music and a glass of sherry.

Perfect!
Score: 10 out of 10.

This page last updated 28th January 2005