We have three types of Open Day:
Steaming Days: This is when we have a full-size steam train in action, ready to take you for a ride up and down our track! We also have miniature ride-on trains which are run by our sister Society VAMES, (there is a small £1.50 charge for this per person - under 3s are free). Also, the rest of the site is open including the Railway Museum, the Visitor Centre with Gift Shop and Railway Cafe, and the model trains are usually running too. Steaming Days are every Sunday (Easter-Halloween), and also some Bank Holidays and some Wednesdays during school holidays.
Special Events: See 'Special Events' on the top options bar for all the details of our exciting Special Events! Special event days offer everything as mentioned above in 'Steaming Days' but with the addition of something else special! This could be a visit from a children's TV character like Peppa Pig or PAW Patrol, to a heritage vehicle rally - for example vintage buses and classic cars...
Cafe Only Days!
Our Railway Cafe is open Monday to Friday, all year round, with no entry ticket required. Current opening hours are 9.30am-2pm. Our Railway Cafe sells good value brakfast and lunch options, including Full English Breakfasts, baps/sandwiches made to order, sausage rolls, burgers, chips and freshly baked cakes, plus snacks and hot/cold drinks and ice creams. On these Cafe-Only days, the bridges are closed so there isn't access to The Railway Museum etc, but cafe users are welcome to wander around the Visitor Centre and the close vicinity outside, which includes our new play area!
Everyone is Welcome! We especially welcome cyclists on our Cafe Only days! Our Visitor Centre is large and cyclists are able to bring their bikes inside to keep them safe! Or, we have plenty of outdoor seating for those who prefer to stay outside. We also welcome dogs inside, as well as groups of parents/carers with children and babies in buggies - there's plenty of room for everyone! As well as the play area outside, we also have train tables inside to keep the children happy! Any queries, please call us on 01296 655720.
Our cafe and gift shop are fully open on all Steaming and Special Event days.