The Spa Valley Railway is a great value family-orientated day out, with full-sized steam and diesel trains providing the background for a number of special events between March and October.

Peppa Pig, Postman Pat and Thomas the Tank Engine are all regular visitors to the line (visit www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk for dates, times and fares, etc). In December, Father Christmas welcomes children of all ages aboard his Santa Specials, and there’s a full programme of special events for all age groups throughout the year. Trains run every weekend from March to October and in December, and some weekdays during school holidays.

The Spa Valley Railway has ex-mainline buffet car “Emily” at Tunbridge Wells, and a fully-equipped refreshment kiosk and undercover picnic benches at Groombridge. Bar/buffet car “Kate” and her team of uniformed stewards are on all trains. All serve a full range of light refreshments, sandwiches, locally-made cakes and pies at very competitive prices. Proper china cups come as standard, and there are ice creams at all stations, naturally!

There are always vegetarian options available.

A wide range of Thomas the Tank Engine books and toys, affordable gifts, railway-related books, DVDs, mugs, etc, plus a selection of model railway items.

Wheelchair-friendly lavatories at Tunbridge Wells and Groombridge stations, baby-changing facilities at Tunbridge Wells and Eridge, toilets on trains and all stations except High Rocks.

We don’t sell baby food, but we’re happy to warm your milk for you, and we have baby changing facilities at Tunbridge Wells and Eridge stations.

The Spa Valley Railway is directly accessible from the main A26 at either Eridge (TN39LE) or Tunbridge Wells (TN25QY, or follow the brown tourist signs). Mainline Uckfield line trains from London Bridge and East Croydon call at Eridge, the station we share with Southern.

With extensive parking at Tunbridge Wells and Eridge, the Spa Valley Railway is a great value day out whatever the weather, and you’re guaranteed a warm welcome. There’s plenty of room for buggies, pushchairs, etc on the trains, realistically-priced refreshments at Tunbridge Wells, Groombridge and Eridge stations, and on the train in our award-winning bar/buffet car “Kate”. At Eridge, our cross-platform interchange with the main line to London means direct weekend services from London Bridge and East Croydon meet Spa Valley trains to Tunbridge Wells. Joint tickets from any Southern booking office are available, offering a £1 per ticket saving over buying separately. Fully accessible to wheelchair users, with the exception of Eridge Station, which being very old is currently only accessible by steps. We therefore recommend visitors with restricted mobility join us at Tunbridge Wells or Groombridge.

If you've had fun on your family day out to Spa Valley Railway, tell us about it your visit, so other people will know it's a great place to go as well.

http://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk