A festive day out from Suffolk and Essex to Winchester's Christmas Market, with an optional visit to Highclere Castle.
This Steam Dreams tour starts at Bury St Edmunds and picks up at Ipswich, Colchester North, Witham, Chelmsford and Shenfield. The train threads its way around London, where the steam locomotive takes over, then runs south west through Surrey and Hampshire to Winchester.
Passengers can explore Winchester Christmas Market in the cathedral grounds or, for a supplement, leave the train at Basingstoke for an excursion to Highclere Castle, the setting of Downton Abbey. The journey is steam hauled from West London in both directions.
The Stour estuary at Manningtree is on the left, but the rest of the run through Essex, Surrey and Hampshire has no single-side highlight.
Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.
| Date | From | Traction | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 2 Dec 2026 06:30 |
Bury St Edmunds Steam from West London in both directions; optional Highclere Castle excursion from Basingstoke. |
— | On sale |
Yes. Passengers can leave the train at Basingstoke for Highclere Castle; a supplement applies.
Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Colchester North, Witham, Chelmsford and Shenfield.
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