Great Western Railway is giving five festive superfans the chance to travel across the South West this December with free rail travel to Christmas markets – all while wearing a limited-edition GWR Christmas jumper.

The competition, running from 5 to 19 December, offers winners the ultimate festive experience: hopping between the UK’s most twinkling markets while collecting mulled wine, gingerbread, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments. The jumper doubles as a ticket, featuring a unique QR code that grants free travel for the duration of the challenge.

Dan Panes, Head of External Communications at GWR, said:

"We're putting the fun back into festive travel. Five lucky winners will get the ultimate bragging rights, a Christmas jumper that's also a golden ticket to the UK's best markets. No parking stress, no traffic jams, just pure festive magic by rail."

The competition launches on 27 November via GWR’s Instagram page (@gwruk). Participants must follow GWR on Instagram, like the competition post, and comment with their favourite Christmas markets in London and the South West. Five winners will then be randomly selected to receive their exclusive jumper and travel pass.

Winners will be able to visit 12 Christmas markets, including Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Southbank Centre Winter Festival in London; Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Plymouth, and Truro in the South West; Cardiff in Wales; and Reading, Cheltenham, Salisbury, and Totnes.

This initiative allows lucky fans to enjoy a festive tour of the UK without worrying about parking or traffic, making rail travel the ultimate way to celebrate the season.

Image: Great Western Railway