Kent & East Sussex Railway

Attraction

Kent & East Sussex

"Kent's finest rural heritage railway"

Everyone can enjoy a fun step back in time at Tenterden’s Steam Railway. Perfect to visit whatever the weather, the line gently wends its way from Tenterden for 10.5 miles, through unspoilt countryside to terminate in the shadow of the magnificent National Trust castle at Bodiam. Travelcards allow all day travel so hop on and off at any of the stations along the line. Refreshments at Tenterden station and on many trains, including cream teas, light lunches and luxury Pullman dining for dinners, Sunday lunches, wedding receptions, private and corporate hire. Advance booking for on-board dining essential.

The Railway's facilities have been carefully designed with disabled, elderly and less mobile visitors in mind. There are parking spaces for Blue Badge holders next to the platform at Tenterden Town and Northiam stations, and accessible toilets at Tenterden, Northiam and Bodiam stations. The Railway is proud to boast a specially designed coach for wheelchair users called 'Petros'. There is full wheelchair access to the shop and restaurant at Tenterden Town, and the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum has level access with 42"aisles. The Tenterden ticket office is fitted with an induction loop.

At Tenterden Station there is ample free parking, a licensed restaurant with free wifi, gift shop, picnic area, children's play area, access for the disabled, wheelchair accessible toilets. The Colonel Stephens Railway Museum at Tenterden Station is also open every day the railway operates between 10.30 and 4.30. There is no admission charge for entry but donations for its upkeep are very welcome.

The line terminates at the immaculately restored Bodiam Station. At the rear of the station reconstructed hoppers' huts are complemented by a small hop garden. The Cavell Van is berthed in a siding at the station and is open on most days that trains operate.

Monday

Closed
Tuesday

12:00am - 12:00am
Wednesday

10:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday

12:00am - 12:00am
Friday

Closed
Saturday

10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday

10:00am - 5:00pm

Events
Jobs
Offers

1940's Weekend
- Starts
  
  13th May - 10:00am
- Ends
  
  14th May - 4:30pm
- Location
  
  Tenterden
Detail

On Saturday 13 May and Sunday 14 May it’s the welcome return of the railway’s popular 1940s Weekend: two days of pure nostalgia, recreating the sights, sounds and fashions of the 1940's with trains leaving every 45 minutes (8 trains a day). With entertainment at both Tenterden and Bodiam, visitors can fully immerse yourself in the 40's atmosphere created by re-enactors, live performers and musicians plus authentic period vehicles, displays, food demonstrations and even hairstyling. Keep a look out for the notorious 'Viv the Spiv' with his black-market goods! Peruse the collection of vintage military and civilian vehicles at both sites. At Bodiam Station there are interactive land army displays and activities. Re-enactors and military and civilian vehicles all add to the atmosphere. Explore the Desert Rats encampment display filled with authentic kit, weapons and jeeps. A limited number of Platform only tickets will also be available on the day to enjoy the ‘40s vibe and station entertainments: £6.00 for adults and £4.00 for children at Tenterden station only and £4.00 for adults and £2.00 children at Bodiam station only https://kesr.org.uk/1940s-weekend/ A fully packed event not to be missed
Steam up!
- Starts
  
  27th May - 10:00am
- Ends
  
  29th May - 4:00pm
- Location
  
  Kent & East Sussex Railway
Detail

Steam Up! The late May Bank holiday weekend (Sat 27-Mon 29 May) brings Steam Up, the railway’s first steam festival since before the pandemic and its largest showcase for many years. Leading the heritage line-up will be Battle of Britain locomotive 257 Squadron, the biggest engine ever to ride the line. In contrast, the railway’s smallest locomotive ‘Marcia’ will also be in action for a true ‘little and large’ experience! There will also be a top roster of other steam and diesel engines, including much loved ‘Swiftsure’, ‘Sapper’ and newly returned to the rails ‘Hastings’. And the highlights don’t stop there: Go further: A new intensive timetable will see trains running beyond Bodiam to Junction Road for the first time in many years, following several months of clearance, fencing, and track work undertaken in collaboration with the Rother Valley Railway Company. Although no longer a station, in its heyday Junction Road was the traditional stop for hop pickers making the annual pilgrimage from London to Kent. All change! Two trains will be working on one platform at Tenterden while at Northiam both platforms will be in use, giving passengers the novel experience of changing trains to travel to Bodiam and Junction Road. There will also be a shuttle service to enable passengers to visit the Rolvenden Locomotive Works. Access all areas. Both the Tenterden Carriage & Wagon Workshop and the Rolvenden Works will be opening their doors throughout the weekend – locations not normally open to the public. At Tenterden this will provide a rare opportunity to see the impressive restoration work being undertaken on GWR Diesel Railcar W20 and to chat with the K&ESR volunteers involved. At Rolvenden, visitors can see several locomotives under repair, including the Ford Diesel, 4253 and USA Tank No65. Elegant and much-loved Terriers ‘Poplar’ and ‘Knowle’ will also be on display. Members of the K&ESR volunteer engineering team will be on hand throughout to answer questions and explain what it takes to maintain these beautiful and historic machines. Fun for all the family. There will be plenty of non-train activities to enjoy, with children’s fun fair rides* and traction engines at Rolvenden and Northiam, plus displays of classic cars and 1960’s scooters at Tenterden, where platform tickets will also be available for those not planning to travel. The Tenterden Tea Room, gift shop and museum will be open and there will also be an extended tea room offer at Northiam station with home-made cakes to enjoy.
CAMRA Real Ale Festival
- Starts
  
  16th June - 6:30pm
- Ends
  
  17th June - 10:30pm
- Location
  
  Tenterden Town Station
Detail

CAMRA Real Ale Festival Friday 16th/Saturday 17th June Friday 16th June is Quiet Session! Time to leave your phones at home, come down to the station with your friends for a relaxing evening and a pint (or two).... Open from 6.30pm to 10.30pm (no music on Friday evening) Saturday 17th June 2023 Diesel and steam trains are running on Saturday, departing from Tenterden at 10:20am, 11:15am 13:10pm 14:05pm and 15:35 pm. Festival Live Music - Listen to the live music while enjoying a wide selection of real ales, ciders and Perry Bands booked for Saturday are : 12.30 pm – Washed Up Jug Band 17.00 pm - People's Republic of Mercia 19.30 pm - SKA Sonic 20.00 pm – Fit 2 Funk
Real Ale Train
- Starts
  
  27th May - 6:30pm
- Ends
  
  1st September - 9:30pm
- Location
  
  Tenterden Town Station.
Detail

Real Ale Trains are now on sale now for 2023 27th May pulled by visiting Steam Loco Squadron 257, Enjoy Real Ale and Cider aboard one of our historic locomotives as it ambles through the beautiful countryside to Bodiam in East Sussex Diesel hauled RAT Trains will be running on. Fri 7 July – RAT Fri 18 Aug – RAT Fri 1 Sep – Cider train You can add to the pleasure of Real Ale and Ciders on board by pre-ordering a meal to enjoy before you join your train - why not make it an evening with friends? The onboard bar will remain open and selling local Ale, Cider and Local Wine on your return trip journey. Arrive at Tenterden Town Station (where there is free parking for customers) at 6:30pm, collect your pre-ordered meal from the kiosk on the platform and board the train for a departure at approximately 7:15pm. Your train will travel through the Rother Valley to our quiet country station at Bodiam, visit the shop for an ice cream before you re-join the train for your return trip to Tenterden arriving at approximately 9:30pm giving you plenty of time to sample the on board ales and ciders from local producers. The fare for adults is £24.50, and meals are just £14.50 so a total for your evening £39.00

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Casual Hospitality Assistants
- Salary
  
  £
- Contract
  
  Part-Time
- Location
  
  Kent & East Sussex Railway
- Expires
  
  1st January
Detail

Start Date: Immediate The Kent & East Sussex Railway is one of the UK’s most loved heritage railways, located in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We are now seeking Hospitality Assistants. The successful applicants will undertake a variety of duties, working in our Gift Shops, Catering outlets or traveling onboard our trains to provide an at-seat service, selling a wide range of gifts, souvenirs, food, drinks and alcohol. We are famed for our warm & friendly staff, so you’ll excel in customer service and be an ambassador for the K&ESR. The positions will be based at Tenterden Town Station, but you’ll need the flexibility to work in other locations less easily accessible by public transport, so access to private transport and a full driving licence is essential. If working on-train, you will need to be able to move a fully loaded trolley through the train, following correct manual handling procedures. You must be able to work quickly and consistently under pressure, yet always with pride; ideally you will have previous experience of commercial catering, but copious enthusiasm and a willingness to work hard are the essential requirements. So if you are self-motivated, equally confident working alone or in a small team and enjoy a fast-paced customer-facing environment, we’d like to meet you! These roles are based at Tenterden Town Station (TN30 6HG) including weekend and Bank Holidays. Candidates should be flexible and able to work shifts any day of the week. This position may require lone working.

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No Offers

Kent & East Sussex Railway
Tenterden Town Station
Station Road
Tenterden
Kent
TN30 6HE

Kent & East Sussex Railway

Kent & East Sussex Railway

Attraction

Kent & East Sussex

About Kent & East Sussex Railway

Opening Times

1940's Weekend

Starts

Ends

Location

Detail

Steam up!

Starts

Ends

Location

Detail

CAMRA Real Ale Festival

Starts

Ends

Location

Detail

Real Ale Train

Starts

Ends

Location

Detail

Casual Hospitality Assistants

Salary

Contract

Location

Expires

Detail

Location