North Norfolk Railway - the Poppy Line 'Santa Express'

This is absolute Christmas Magic - our team at The White House love this special Christmas Steam train - just like stepping in to another era and Santa in his Grotto is wonderful - a real treat

Here is what the Poppy Express has to say about it:

What could be more magical than stepping onto the platform at Sheringham Station, with steam gently rising around the carriages as Santa’s Steam Train patiently waits to take you to see the big man himself?

Toot, toot! And the train is off. Relax in the comfy seats aboard vintage carriages, as festive treats are served at your seat with a warm mince pie and glass of sherry for the grown-ups and a flavoured milk drink and cookie for children.

Why not make a party of it and add one of Santa’s Selection Platters to your table? Each of these platters serve 4 people, are lovingly made on-board Santa’s Train and are made up of freshly made sandwiches, savoury bites, cakes and of course sweet treats!

We now arrive at our destination ready to encounter many of the seasonal wonders that our Santa special has in store.

During your visit to Santa’s Station, wonder around our unique festive walk-through kingdom filled with over 100 Christmas trees, light displays, decorations and much more. You are well on your way to meeting the man in red himself where every child will receive a carefully chosen gift.

Santa has also brought along some special friends this year, so make sure you set some time aside to say hello to his reindeer. If you are on his good list this year you may even have the opportunity to feed them.

Santa’s workshop will also be open for children to take part in festive arts and crafts activities and marvel at the seasonal model railway before boarding the Santa Special for our return journey back to Sheringham.

Tickets

Click here to book tickets online or call our booking office on 01263 820800 to purchase tickets over the phone. The booking office is open 10am – 4pm.

A £2 admin fee applies to all bookings. Please ensure all the information you provide is correct as a £5 administration fee will be charged for alterations to bookings.

Group bookings, for ten people or more travelling together, can only be taken by phone or in person, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Please inform us in advance if any passengers travelling are disabled so that we can make every effort to accommodate them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I catch the train?

All of our Santa Special trains depart Sheringham Station

Where does the train go?

The train travels to Weybourne Station, where everyone alights to visit Santa’s Grotto plus the enchanting Christmas Tree Kingdom, Santa’s Workshop and reindeer.

How long is the experience?

The whole experience lasts approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. This includes the train journey to and from Weybourne Station as well as the activities taking place at the station.

What is the Santa Special?

Our Santa Special is a traditional children’s event with a steam train journey to see Santa in his grotto. As part of the ticket, children will receive a flavoured milk drink and cookie plus a present from Santa. Adults do no miss out, as they will receive a mince pie and glass of sherry. New for 2019, we have an enchanting Christmas Tree Kingdom, plus Santa’s Workshop for children to take part in festive crafts plus the opportunity to visit Santa’s reindeer.

Diva Opera at Holkham - Christmas Chamber Opera in the Hall

CHRISTMAS AT HOLKHAM

DIVA OPERA AT CHRISTMAS

‘Next Stop Christmas’

Thursday 5th & Friday 6th December, 7pm

Join Diva Opera, Britain’s foremost chamber opera company, for a sparkling evening of song, perfect to get you into the festive spirit.

Strangers on a train, all with somewhere important to be for Christmas - but will the fates (and the weather) allow them to get there on time? It looks like a bumpy ride is in store, but Diva Opera’s delightful selection of highlights from opera and musicals, together with a few seasonal favourites, is guaranteed to keep everyone’s spirits high. A cast of five international soloists is led as ever by Bryan Evans at the piano.

Tickets: Auditorium £42 / Gallery (restricted view) £35

Or telephone our ticket office on 01328 713111

Christmas Gift Market at Creake Abbey, Saturday 23rd November

Fabulous opportunity to get ahead with your Christmas shopping and to find something really special and individual. here is what Creake Abbey has to say about it:

70 fabulous stands bringing you superb Christmas gifts, including festive decorations and wreaths, food & drink, local art including jewellery, paintings and some carefully selected local crafts.

The Courtyard Shops will be full of stunning winter goodies including gorgeous children’s clothing, homeware and accessories from Marshes and Flint, stylish country clothing at Christopher William Country, antiques and homewares at Home by Annie Lambert, and art and jewellery at Fineline Frames. The Creake Abbey Food Hall will be bursting with festive cheeses, hams and other foodie treats. Don’t forget that you can shop for AVEDA hair and body products and gorgeous fragrances at Found Hair at Creake Abbey – our award winning AVEDA hair salon.

Producers attending this Gift Fair include:

Ablaze Bowls Handmade steel sculpture and fire bowls

Aisha Nahaboo Jewellery Handmade jewellery in silver & semi precious stones

Annie Moses Decorative Vintage, salvage antiques

Aquila Crafts Bags, cushions and purses

Arowdi Designs Handmade knitted and crocheted neckwear and hats

Becca Lynn Illustrations Tea towels, aprons, cards, prints

Big Sky Bags Hand made bags, aprons and homewares

Birstone Forge Ironwork both decorative and practical

Bright As A Button Vintage & designer button jewellery

Cape Vanilla Hand painted designs

Cathy & Emma Jewellery, bows and hand crafted gifts

Chester and Cooke Seed boxes, herb planters, coat racks etc.

Creakey Crafts Coastal crafts

Creative Crafts Crockery lamps, cake stands & bird feeders

Down The Lane Recycled wooden home décor

Drift Pots Hand thrown pots

Driftwood Birds Birds and fish carved from driftwood

Essers of Wisbech Plants and shrubs

FireFly Designs Jewellery & gifts using resin, china and seaglass

Gae Stubbings Soaps & textiles

Hedkase Hats and accessories

Henry Stepehn Sculptures

Huffs Crafts Textiles

Jabbawocky Crafts Handmade pendants

Jenny Arthur Textiles

Jerry Cullum Hand made bags and other textiles

John Hartley Photography and driftwood crafts

Karen Ferenczy Hand knitted and felted brooches

Lyn Sandford Pottery Handmade and hand decorated stoneware pottery

Mandy Stolworthy Jute bowls, baskets and table mats

Margaret Green Candles in cups

Margaret Lake Textiles

Marianne Nightingale Art Originals / framed prints / cards

Marilyn Fountaine Jewellery

Milk-two-Sugars Mosaic plaques and mirrors

Monster and Fox Brancaster Organic cotton tees, hoodies and sweatshirts

Moorend Moisturisers Goats milk soaps & moisturisers

Neal’s Yard Remedies Skin care products and essential oils

Norfolk Shepherd Huts Beautifully built shepherd’s huts for your garden or grotto

Peggy Page Childrens clothes

Petals & Pots {Plant stands, trugs, hampers and bird tables

Presence Home interiors & gifts

Rita Holland Sheepskin rugs and accessories

Ruff and Tumble Dog drying coats and drying mitts

Rukabout Raffia baskets, bags, leather accessories

SALT Glass Studios Hand made glass items

Samphire Scents Scented soy candles

Sarah Burt Design Contemporary textile art

Sarah Coxon Floral Design Wreaths and Christmas displays

Sarah Darnell Photography Wildlife photography

Sian Van Der Welle Vintage china, glass and small furniture

SprigArt Studio Natural art

Swaffham Potter Ceramics / pottery

Sweet Pea Soft Furnishings Fabric noticeboards, cushions, bunting

Tel the Pot Bird nesting pots and feeders

The Dapper Dog Dog collars and accessories

The Norfolk Stillroom Hand crafted linen sachets for wardrobes and drawers and soaps.

Tricia Francis Pottery Hand thrown kitchenware & house name plates

Tuffdogs Stuff Ltd Dog accessories

Tulip Crafts Coat hooks, light holders made from old horseshoes and reclaimed wood

Turned out Nice Wooden items

Wandering Bee Ladies accessories

Wayne Glover Reclaimed Wood

Wells Community Hospital Raising awareness and funds for local hospice at Wells next the Sea

Wood “N” Clay Wooden crafts & pottery

Woodandivy Handcrafted walking sticks and carved wooden items

Food

Candi’s Chutneys Award winning chutneys and seasonal speciality chutneys

So Sweet Hand made chocolates

Panther Brewery North Norfolk’s award winning microbrewery…ale with bite!

Leigh’s Bees Raw honey & related products

Rosie’s Catering Home made pies

Archangel Distillery Handcrafted gin and gin based goods

Holkham Christmas Festive Food Fair

FESTIVE FOOD FAIR at HOLKHAM

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December, 10am-4pm

This truly magical Christmas food event will be back again for 2019! The best local and regional producers will be showcasing their seasonal food and drink for you to try, and buy. From homemade jams, chutneys and cheeses, to Norfolk gins, wine and beers, there is something for everyone. Plus, there will be a whole host of concession stalls for you to enjoy a warm mulled wine or hot chocolate plus a tasty treat or two whilst you’re here. This is a great opportunity to stock up on ingredients for your own Christmas feast, whilst ticking off your gift list for the food lovers in your family!

Our live cookery theatre in The Lady Elizabeth Wing will once again keep our visitors entertained throughout the day. Hosted by Charlie Hodson of Charlie’s Norfolk Food Heroes, and with a theme of ‘Game On’, local chefs will be cooking up a storm, demonstrating new and exciting ways to really make your Christmas dinner or Boxing Day feasts pop this year!

Exhibitors

Gur Beck Country Foods - Scotch eggs with a stream of local flavours

The Tudor Bakehouse - Shortbreads, Christmas cakes, warm mince pies, cake selections and artisan breads and brioche

Driftwood Glass Studios - Fused glass made here in North Norfolk, Christmas decorations, coasters, wall art, animals, candlewares and Christmas stock

The English Whisky Company - English whisky and liqueurs from England’s oldest registered whisky distillery

Norfolk Brewhouse - Moon Gazer Ale - bottled ales and lagers including Moon Gazer, Jigfoot, Jumper, Nibbler, Dewhopper and Stubblestag

Brockleby’s Pies - Multi-award-winning handmade pies

Archangel Distilleries - Artisan gin, rhubarb gin, gin glasses and miniature gin bottles

Fen Spirits - Spirits and liqueurs

Norfolk Coffee Company - Speciality coffee beans

Ferndale Cheeses - Raw milk cheeses including Norfolk Dapple, Smoked Dapple and Norfolk Tawny

Garden Preserves Ltd - Both traditional and unusual preserves, marmalades, chutneys, curds, pickles, syrups and more

Lillypuds Ltd - Christmas puddings, sponges, sticky toffee pudding, sweet sauces, gift sets and preserves

Seasons Bounty - Multi-award-winning handmade jam and marmalade

Yare Valley Oils - Cold pressed rapeseed oil, dressings, infusions, pesto and horseradish sauces and all-natural lip balms

Bakeshack - Pies, bakes and other tasty items with an oriental twist, goose fat pastry and oriental spices

Marsh Pig - Free-range salami, chorizo, air-dried meats, for example lomo beef jerky

Three Counties Field Kitchen - Award-winning sausage rolls, pork pies and savoury pastries

Creakey Crafts - Sea glass picture and jewellery, local map coasters, keyrings and magnets, small wooden items and Christmas decorations

Stokes Sauces - Stokes mayonnaise, ketchups, sauces, chutney, jams, marmalade, mustards, gift packs and more

Black Shuck Ltd - Gin, sloe gin, spirits, liqueurs and gift sets

The Tea Lady - Jam, chutney, jelly and marmalade, gift boxes and gift vouchers

Candi’s Chutney - A handcrafted range of unique chutney flavours all made using great British grown produce

Norton’s Dairy - Soft cows’ milk cheeses with apricot, chilli, lavender and original flavours and a seasonal special. Fresh natural yoghurt

Norfolk Cordial Ltd - Fresh fruit cordials in a range of sizes

The Bon Bakery - A wide range of Moroccan and middle -eastern pies plus a good selection of scrumptious biscotti and bruschetta

Norfolk Raider Cider - Real cider made from Norfolk Apples brewed in Norwich

Marium Cullum Ceramics - Handmade functional pottery made in Ming porcelain and one-off sculptural forms made in stoneware clay

Olive Olive - Olive oil made from the family farm in Cyprus and authentic ‘village’ traditional halloumi cheese

Founding Drinks Company - Norfolk barley distilled Wild Knight® English Vodka, Boadicea® Gin (Classic and Winter) and Nelson’s Gold® Caramelised Vodka.

What a Hoot - Gin including flavours, gin accessories including hootfruit, mixers, glasses and by-products created by other local producers

Boo Boutique - Boutique dresses, tunics, tops, knitwear, wraps and accessories

Fen Farm Dairy - Bungay raw butter, Baron Bigod raw milk brie style cheese

The German Chocolate Company - German confectionary with a range of different flavoured centres. A lovely treat for the festive season

MKS Food Distribution - Olives, nuts, Turkish delights and baklavas

Simply Cake Co - Artisan brownies, cakes and cookies, other sweet treats and seasonal gifts such as bake your own kits

Barkers of Suffolk Ltd - A wide range of completely natural handmade dog treats, finished with unique Christmas designs

Balkan Pottery - Unique pottery for cooking and serving. A one-pot roast for moist and crispy chicken with roasted vegetables in an hour and a clay dish with a serving tray, unusual clay wine decanter plus jugs, plates and more

Knit Happens - Homemade crocheted hats and gifts

Gnaw Chocolate - Gnaw is a Norfolk producer of handcrafted chocolatey treats, offering everything from large bars to chocolate shots and gift ranges

Walsingham Farm Shop - Deli products, pies, sweet tarts and Christmas items

Presence - Nordic, traditional and rustic Christmas decorations and warm winter scarfs, hats, gloves and ponchos

Flint and Flame - Premium quality kitchen knives, blocks, chopping boards and sharpeners

Mrs A’s Bakes - Homemade sweets and treats, macarons, meringue kisses, marshmallows, marzipan fruits and lollipops

The Holme Cake Company - Homemade cakes, cookies, traybakes, macaroons and themed cake toppers

Panther Brewery - Bottle-conditioned real ale available in 9 different styles, ranging from goldens to porters. Presentation gift packs of 3 or 6 glasses and branded pint glasses

Nelson and Norfolk Tea - A range of seasonal speciality teas and infusions, flavoured and seasonal coffees and related brewing accessories

Flint Vineyard - A range of still and sparkling wines. Bacchus 2018 (still white), Silex Blanx 2018 (still white), Pinot Noir Precoce 2018 (still red) and Charmet Rose 2018 (sparkling rose)

East Coast Chilli Company - Chillo sauces, dried chillies and gift ideas

Cushion Cottage - Handmade cushion, lampshades, home accessories, copper lamps and gifts

The Little White Lamb Co Ltd - A unique collection of Norfolk artisan arts and crafts, including photography, fine art, pastels, wood turned bowls, collectors’ teapots, sheepskins, cushions, needlefelt, ceramics and glass

Staithe Smokehouse - Smoked salmon, smoked haddock, kippers, smoked salmon mousse, smoked prawns and smoked salmon tarts

Holkham Game - Game from the Holkham Estate

Kettle Foods - Proudly made in Norfolk since 1988, Kettle Chips are still the nation’s favourite. Delicious hand-cooked potato chips

Posh Plants - Seasonal plants, wreaths and hanging bunches, garden gifts, Christmas decorations, interior plants, cacti and terrarium

Feast Norfolk Magazine

Ruddy Muddy Art

Blackbird Cottage - Handcrafted terrines, pates and parfaits using locally-sourced game, wilf fowl, poultry, Norfolk pork and venison. All products and are gluten, egg and preservative free

Chet and Waveney - Still wines including Siskin Solaris, Swift Shoenburger, Redwing Regent rose. Sparkling wines - Skylark, white and rose and Horatio rose. Holidays on a vineyard

Crush - Cold-pressed rapeseed oils, infused oils, dressings and cereals

The Tiny Tipple Company - Fruit infused spirits

Wildcraft Brewery - Beers and spirits

So Sweet - Handmade fudge, chocolate and other confectionery

The Immaculate Collection - Flavoured chocolate almonds

Freddie’s Flowers - Fresh flower delivery service

Tuff Dogs Stuff - Dog accessories, collars, leads, harnesses and toys

Leigh’s Bees - Raw honey, honeycomb, beeswax polish, five products and beekeeping experience gift vouchers

The Russian Pie Co Ltd - a range of award-winning Russian pies called ‘piewiches’ including vegan mushroom and spinach, beef, cabbage and onion, or the Moroccan veggie, plus Russian honey cake and other sweet and savoury Russian treats.

Heritage House - This year’s nominated charity. A place where the elderly and frail of north Norfolk come to socialise, have a home-cooked meal, maybe a bath or a haircut, but most importantly have an escape from the house for a few hours for some companionship

Concessions:

Bam Bam Crepe

Cocky Dog

The Bucket List

QuacknMac

The Mussell Pod

Cuppa Jo’s Coffee

Cookery Theatre Chefs

The Mussel Pod

Eric Snaith, Titchwell Manor and Eric’s Fish and Chips

Michael Chamberlain, The Victoria Inn

Jeremy Parke, No 29

The Tea Lady, maker of jam, chutney and marmalades

Simon Hunter Marsh, local Norfolk forager and Ade Piff, the spice man

Fran Hartshorne, White Horse Brancaster

Chris ‘Buzz’ Busby, Brasted’s Norwich

Sam Bagge, Walsingham Farms

Scott Dougal, Wells Crab House

Charlie Hodson, Charlie’s Norfolk Food Heroes and Matt Brown, Wild Knight Distillery

Dan Lawrence and Daniel Frear, Socius

Thursford Christmas Spectacular

This is an incredible festive, annual Christmas Event only rivalled by the famous Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show with the Rockettes in New York City - An amazing feast of singing, dancing, humour, carols and general Christmas spirit and we are so lucky that it is right here in North Norfolk - See what Thursford themselves have to say about it…

“An extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. It’s a fast moving celebration of the festive season featuring an eclectic mix of both seasonal and year round favourites. With a cast of 120 this is the biggest Christmas show of it’s kind in Europe!

Our 2018 Christmas Spectacular show was our biggest year yet so please make sure you book up early for this years Christmas Spectacular.

The booking office is open Monday-Friday from 9.00am -4.00pm on 01328 878477.

Our 2019 show will run from 6th November – 23rd December 2019 2.00pm & 7.00pm. We are happy to announce that all seat prices have been frozen for 2019.”

Sandringham Christmas Craft and Food Fair, 15-17 November

Sandringham Christmas Crafts, Food and Gifts

Over the last few years the Sandringham Christmas Craft Food & Gift Fair has grown into one of East Anglia’s top Christmas Fairs. It has grown again this year and we are delighted with our new attractions that include an Ice Skating Ring (synthetic) for the more energetic visitor and the Alternative Cabaret Tent with a varied bill of Magic & Illusion, Comedy and Balloon Science Show by Balloonatic.

There’s always Lots to See, Lots to Do and Buy at the event, making it an enjoyable way to start your Christmas shopping with over 300 exhibitors to choose from. Craft, Food, Gifts and Festive Fun are all essential ingredients of a successful Christmas event, they can be found in abundance this weekend at Sandringham.

In between your shopping be sure to slip into one of the entertainment marquees or Food Courts where there is a wide range of street food and beverages of all kinds to be enjoyed, all whilst relaxing to live music and entertainment.

With Santa Claus, Reindeer Unicorns, interactive Ice Carving, Jesters, Medieval Games and Amusements, there’s lots to keep the children happy as well.

Christmas Pop Up at The White House

At The White House we are excited to be hosting a boutique Christmas Pop Up on the 5th December from 9am to 3pm. There will be some bubbles, tea and coffee and a raffle in aid of the local charity About with Friends.  The bedrooms will all be open, so you can have a good look around the house and the sellers include some divine local businesses all showcasing beautiful products. They include Petra Boase, Willa & the Bear, Oldfield Clothing Company, Victoria Arrowsmith Flowers, Bombay Sprout, Mini Maharajas, Wild Coast Well Being, Laura Paul Jewellery and Feast Norfolk.  It will be a beautiful and relaxed event and a great chance to see this new venue in North Norfolk too. Come for a coffee and to shop at our carefully selected fabulous stalls. 

Opening Soon...

Our week of soft opening is now underway and we love having guests here. B&B, but not as you know it. Luxurious as a Country House Hotel, without the fuss. You can book a room for a completely relaxed get away or book the whole house for you and your friends to have a bespoke house party. Opening on August 1st... Book Now!