A really excellent trip to Duffield and return. The carriages have been refurbished to a high standard. We sat in the restaurant carriage which was stunning. Diesel out steam back. Can't fault it. Well done to all the staff

My husband had this as a gift and I went along to keep him company. From start to finish it was a great experience. The volunteers running the railway deserve the highest praise and made the experience a truly wonderful experience. I was involved in the vast majority of the day but took advantage of the chance to explore the local town. There was so much time for my husband to drive the trains and the people looking after him were great. If you have a train buff get this trip!

We’ve just been on the first Santas enchanted journey ride of the year. My 11 month olds first time on a train and meeting Santa and he loved it! We all got hot chocolates, cookies and the little ones got a gift from Santa (a pretty decent teddy bear in a festive jumper! A much greater gift than other Christmas events we’ve attended. Something I’m sure they will have for a long time) he visited each compartment individually. I have to say he was probably the best Santa I’ve seen. Outfit was great, very interactive with us as we’re all the elves. Definitely recommend. We had a standard compartment which is great value for money!

Went on Santa’s Enchanted Journey from Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. Had the most amazing time with the family including 2 grandchildren. The atmosphere from start to finish was magical. The elves were funny, helpful and amazing with all children and adults. Santa was the best Santa we have seen anywhere, interaction with children and adults was outstanding and the gifts for the children where of high quality along with complimentary hot chocolate and cookies from the elves ideal for a cold November afternoon. Would highly recommended a visit if you have young children or grandchildren. Already looking to book again for next year.

Fabulous time today on the Santa train. Great elf characters this year and plenty of time with Santa too. The pre-train activities were improved from previous years with a photo opportunity, a chance to mix ‘reindeer food’ already for Christmas Eve and a drinks/snacks area plus music festive music, a snow machine and cheeky elves! Perfect Santa experience with grandparents and for families. The train was comfy and warm and the staff friendly and helpful. More parking on offer too 🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻

We visited the Santa Enchanted Journey this afternoon and it was amazing. The platform was beautifully decorated, santas elves were great and it had a lovely atmosphere. When we got on the train there was lots of interaction with the elves, everyone got a hot chocolate and a cookie and the carriages were decorated lovely. Santa was amazing, he interacted with the kids in a really authentic way and came by again at the end of the journey to say goodbye. It was a great experience from start to finish

**Santas Enchanted Journey** Wow, what an amazing morning we all had! From the minute we stepped onto the platform we were greeted with Christmas magic. Christmas music, snow flurries and lots of interaction with the cheeky elves! Seeing the train roll into the station through a cloud of billowing smoke was wonderful. Once inside the carriages were festively decorated and so was our comfy compartment. Elves frequently pop by for a chat, for some magic, a sing-song, to deliver hot chocolate and cookies and even to have a cheeky 40 winks! Each and every one we met were fabulous and magical just as elves should be! Santa was lovely, spent time with the children having a chat and then sat for photographs with them. A lovely quality gift was given which neither child put down for the rest of the day. 10/10 experience which we booked as a whim and so glad that we did, the children already want to go back next year!

We were lucky to have gone on Santa’s enchanted journey on a day where it had snowed so the countryside views were a winter wonderland. The experience was fab and well organised. We went with a 4 and 2 year old and a small baby. All the elves and Santa engaged with all the children and the 4 year old in particular absolutely loved it “best day ever”. The cookies and hot chocolate were yummy (and the reminders to the kids that hot chocolate is hot were helpful, they listened better to the elves than us!). Santa was really authentic and gave the impression of a genuine interest in the kids. Parking was no trouble even in the snow and the staff were working so hard to make sure the snow was cleared. We’ll definitely book for another year, we’ve been on this experience for 3 years running now and will definitely book again for next year. It was really magical and a lovely way to start Xmas festivities.

Today our family did the Christmas experience on santas enchanted journey. Wow was it a really fantastic and truly magical Experience. The decorations on the platform including a snow machine were brilliant. The elves running around interacting with the children was great fun, cheeky, friendly and totally genuine. Our kids (aged nearly 7 and 8) 100% believed they were ‘the’ elves. They were superb. The conductor was great as was every member of staff. The train was lovely and the hot chocolate, cookie and gingerbread decorating kit was wonderful. The elves played games and continued entertaining the children on the train. Stroking the ‘invisible reindeer’ was a particular hit with our kids! Santa was great and gave every child his time and spoke to them. They all received a gorgeous large Christmas bear. He also made another appearance as the train reached the end of its journey. Our kids are still reeling from the experience and loved every second. Hats off to this small team for putting on such an exceptional experience. Very happy to recommend this.

If you're going to market a heritage railway Santa special as "Santa's Enchanted Journey", you're setting yourself a high benchmark. However, the EVR provide a magical Santa experience which is highly recommended. Volunteers, elves, Santa and the journey were splendid and young children are delighted. Our grandchild was convinced that at last she has met the real Santa so a big thank you and well done to everyone involved. Brilliant.