Visitors to Tenterden’s Steam Railway can experience travel in the beautiful vintage carriages, dating from 1887, during July. One of the carriages that will be in use was built by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway at their Ashford Works for London suburban services. By the 1920’s the coaches had become obsolete and were withdrawn from service, but many were sold to become seaside holiday homes and where a few remain to this day at Dungeness! The K&ESR was able to rescue a number of these coaches and they have been lovingly restored to their former glory in the railways’ own workshops at Tenterden.
The steam hauled trains will depart from Tenterden Station at 11.45am and 2.20pm on July 16, 17 and 30, 31 July.
The Art Deco Station Refreshment Rooms will also be open, serving a range of refreshments including Afternoon Tea (booking strongly recommended).
Travel Cards are £38 for a family, £17 for Adults and a Child Travel Card is £11.50. There is an additional 10% saving when tickets are booked online
Tenterden station is a short walk from the idyllic high street in Tenterden with its beautiful Georgian and Victorian buildings which is home to attractive boutiques, quaint antique shops and attractive cafes and restaurants.
At Bodiam station passengers can choose to take the short walk to Bodiam Castle and explore the romantic ruins, moat and impressive ramparts with their breath-taking views across the surrounding countryside. Enjoy discounted admission to the Castle with a valid train ticket on same day as travel.
For those who love to picnic, the railway offers an alfresco lunch option and pre-ordered picnic hamper can be ready to collect when you arrive at Tenterden station complete with napkins, cutlery and condiments.
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 has a specially designed coach for wheelchair users called ‘Petros’ which is fitted with ramped access, wide aisles, an accessible toilet and moveable seating.
There is full wheelchair access to the shop and restaurant at Tenterden Town, and the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum has level access with 42” space aisles.
When at Tenterden Station why not visit the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum? Colonel Holman Fred Stephens was an English eccentric, a brilliant railway engineer, and the man who built the Kent & East Sussex Railway (and amazingly 16 other light railways). His legacy is commemorated in the award-winning museum next to Tenterden Town Station. Open every afternoon when trains are running and entry is FREE.
Well-behaved dogs on leads can travel on the railway for £3 on normal operating days (excluding Day Out With Thomas and Santa Special event days).
Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6HE www.kesr.org.uk .
For more information and train times visit www.kesr.org.uk or telephone 01580 765155.
Press enquiries and image requests to Caroline Edmunds at Pennington PR on 01892 616647 e-mail: caroline@penningtonpr.com
