Birmingham New Street has major works from 24 to 28 December, no trains run on Christmas Day, and Boxing Day is Monday 28th. What we know so far for Cheltenham.
Getting in and out of Cheltenham over Christmas is going to be awkward in one direction already known. National Rail says Birmingham New Street will have major engineering work from Thursday 24 to Monday 28 December 2026, and Birmingham is Cheltenham’s main direct rail link to the north. The London route’s Christmas plans are not out yet. Last year there were no direct Cheltenham to Paddington trains from 27 December to 4 January. This page sets out what is confirmed for 2026, what happened in 2025, and when the rest is due.
The quick answer
No trains run anywhere on Christmas Day, Friday 25 December. Town centre council car parks are free from 3pm on 3 and 10 December. Journeys to, from or through Birmingham New Street will be “significantly disrupted” from 24 to 28 December. The Boxing Day bank holiday is on Monday 28 December this year. Train companies start publishing their Christmas timetables from the beginning of October, and the Christmas Eve last trains list comes out in late November or early December (National Rail, Christmas and New Year 2026/27).
What National Rail has confirmed for 2026
National Rail’s Christmas summary covers Thursday 24 December 2026 to Monday 4 January 2027. It says so far:
- Thursday 24 December: trains on many routes finish earlier than normal. Do not assume the normal timetable.
- Friday 25 December: no National Rail services at all.
- Saturday 26 December: most train companies run no service. A small number will run a very limited one, with details to be confirmed.
- Monday 28 December: the substitute Boxing Day bank holiday. Which trains run is still to be confirmed.
- Thursday 31 December: some routes finish earlier than normal on New Year’s Eve.
- Birmingham New Street: major engineering work from Thursday 24 to Monday 28 December inclusive, with more details to follow.
Source: National Rail, Christmas and New Year 2026/27.
The New Street closure matters more in Cheltenham than in most towns. Birmingham is 40 minutes away on the fastest direct train. National Rail has not yet said how trains that normally run through New Street will be affected, so check any journey north before you book.
London: what happened last Christmas
Network Rail has not yet said what it plans on the Great Western main line this Christmas. Last year it closed two of the four tracks near Slough from Saturday 27 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026 to renew points at Dolphin Junction. As a result no direct trains ran between London Paddington and Cheltenham Spa. Passengers had to change at Swindon or Bristol Parkway (Network Rail, 22 December 2025).
National Rail’s list of planned engineering work currently runs to mid-December and has no Cheltenham entries over Christmas. Nothing booked is not the same as nothing planned: works usually go on the list about 12 weeks ahead. For normal times and fares to London, see our Cheltenham to London trains page.
Late-night works before Christmas
National Rail lists late-evening closures between Swindon, Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa from Monday 16 to Thursday 19 November 2026. The 23:42 from Swindon to Cheltenham Spa will be diverted via Bristol Parkway and end at Gloucester at 00:54, missing Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse. A road coach leaves Swindon at 23:45 for all stops to Cheltenham Spa (National Rail, Swindon / Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa). The same late train is also listed for changes in the week of 12 October, and again from 23 November (23:42 Swindon to Cheltenham Spa, 23 November).
Buses: what Stagecoach ran last Christmas
Stagecoach West has not yet published its 2026 festive times. Last year’s plan for Cheltenham is the best guide to the pattern (Stagecoach West, Christmas bus times):
| Day (2025/26) | Cheltenham buses |
|---|---|
| Christmas Eve, Wed 24 Dec | Saturday timetable with an early finish: no journeys from their starting point after 6pm, with a few named exceptions |
| Christmas Day, Thu 25 Dec | No service |
| Boxing Day, Fri 26 Dec | Only the 94 (hourly, 7am to 8pm) and 94X (hourly, 8am to 6pm) to Gloucester, on special timetables |
| Sat 27 and Sun 28 Dec | Normal timetable |
| Mon 29 and Tue 30 Dec | Saturday timetable, minus some after-midnight A, C, D and 41 journeys |
| New Year's Eve, Wed 31 Dec | Saturday timetable, with late N94 and NX94 buses to and from Gloucester until 3am and 3.35am |
| New Year's Day, Thu 1 Jan | Only the 94 and 94X (special timetables) and the 100 (Sunday timetable) |
On Christmas Eve 2025 the last 95 from Cheltenham was at 17:10, and the 100 ran its Saturday timetable until 19:05 from the Promenade. In 2026 Christmas Day falls on a Friday rather than a Thursday, and the Boxing Day holiday is on Monday 28 December. The days that run special timetables are likely to move, so do not read 2025’s weekdays across.
Parking over Christmas
Parking is free from 3pm on Thursday 3 and Thursday 10 December in eight town centre council car parks: Chelt Walk, St James Street, Rodney Road, High Street, Town Centre East, Royal Well, Sherborne Place and Bath Parade. Those are the two late-night shopping evenings. Cheltenham BID pays for the offer. Regent Arcade is not included, and Town Centre East still closes at 8pm (Cheltenham Borough Council, September 2026).
Town Centre East and Regent Arcade are both closed on Christmas Day, and Town Centre East is also closed on New Year’s Day. All tariffs and the free spaces near the station are on our parking in Cheltenham page. Current road closures are on Cheltenham roadworks and travel.
Around Christmas in Cheltenham
- Bin rounds move earlier in the week before Christmas: Cheltenham bin collection days.
- Schools break up on Friday 18 December, and several independent schools a week earlier: Gloucestershire term dates.
- The Christmas market on the Promenade runs from 10 to 23 December: Cheltenham Christmas market.
- New Year’s Day racing and the Christmas Meeting: Cheltenham Racecourse this winter.
Still to confirm
- GWR and CrossCountry Christmas timetables, and any Great Western main line works: from early October.
- Last trains on Christmas Eve: late November or early December.
- Stagecoach West’s 2026 festive bus times: usually December.
Checked on 25 September 2026 against National Rail, Network Rail and Stagecoach West.
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