A train every seven minutes for Bath Christmas market
GWR will operate 145 trains on market Saturdays as choristers entertain the crowd with carols
A train will serve Bath Spa station every seven minutes on the three Saturdays of this year’s world-famous Christmas market taking place between 23 November and 10 December.
On top of the normal Saturday service, GWR will run an extra 21 trains stopping at Bath Spa to help shoppers get to and from the city.
Despite the almost 8,000 extra seats, trains will however be really busy between 0900 and midday, and between 1600 and 1930, and a queuing system will be in place at the station for the return journey to help those board trains safely.
To keep those queueing in high spirits and in upholding the generosity of Christmas, GWR has teamed up with the Bath Abbey Choir who will sing carols outside the station at 1800 Friday 1 December. The Bath Abbey Choir will then travel with GWR to perform at Paddington station on Monday 11 December.
Bath Spa Station Manager Oana Apetroaie said:
“The Christmas Market transforms this great city into an enchanting winter wonderland which so many people want to visit, and we do all we can at GWR to help support that.
“As we welcome people to Bath, we would like to remind them that the station, and some trains, will be really busy for some periods and customers may experience a more comfortable journey travelling earlier in the morning or later in the evening – outside of the peak times.
“Our friendly and approachable staff will be on hand to help keep people moving, and this year I am delighted that we’ll also have the help of the Bath Abbey Choir on Friday 1st.”
Several rail services will also have extended dwell times at key locations and there will be slight alterations to normal timetabled services as a result; so please check before you travel.
The Aslef union has announced strike action that will significantly affect GWR and CrossCountry rail services on Thursday 7 December. In addition, there could be further disruption from Friday 1 to Saturday 9 December, due to action short of strike which is likely to cause some short-notice alterations. GWR will publish further details closer to the strike day. You can check your journey before you travel here.
Have you been to Bath Christmas market before? Why not check out the seven best markets and shopping districts in the south west also easily accessible by train.
Travelling to London? Here is our guide to unwrap the magic with the 10 must-do Christmas activities in London.
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Notes to editors
Notes to editors
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to continue operating the Great Western network, which shall run up to 21 June 2025, with the potential for a further three years at the Secretary of State’s discretion. Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us