Name: East Kent Railway
Rating: 5.0

East Kent Railway

East Kent Railway Trust, Station Road, Shepherdswell, Dover CT15 7PD, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Welcome to East Kent Railway, East Kent Railway has something for everyone. From our award-winning visitor centre to our beautiful woodland walks and our lovingly restored heritage trains to our informative museums the East Kent Railway has something to offer all the family to enjoy.

Once a thriving industrial line serving the Kent Coalfield, the four-mile round trip takes you on a scenic journey between the pretty villages of Shepherdswell and Eythorne. Rolling countryside, steep chalk-lined cuttings and the fascinating Golgotha Tunnel make this a visit to be remembered.

Prices starts from £12.00 for adults, £8.00 for Child and £35.00 for Family. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Eythorne Station: Eythorne is an idyllic countryside station in the centre of a beautiful village. This is where you will find the Class 365 Electric Train, which is being retrofitted to become a one-off, special restaurant. 3 Coaches recently retired from mainline service on which you’ll be able to eat, drink and book for private functions.
The Knees Woodland: The Knees Woodland is over 350 years old, it contains a water tank that was once used to refill the steam engines and WW2 trenches which are due to be restored. At the right time of year, The Knees is carpeted with Blue Bells.
5” Miniature Railway: Miniature railway is yet another great attraction to be seen at the railway. The railway is usually worked by a battery loco, although on some special events this year, a steam loco may be in operation! This is the first thing that visitors will see when they arrive at the railway, so make sure you come and have a ride.
The Knees Woodland 7 ¼ Miniature Railway: The Knees Woodland Miniature was first opened 10 years ago and we are currently working to develop a new, exciting and longer Woodland Railway to replace this facility.
The Walmer Model Railway: The Walmer Model Railway Club was originally located at Deal Station and had been there for 23 years until they were invited to the EKR in 2002. The club was previously housed in an LMS Stainer carriage that was at the end of its serviceable life. The Walmer Model Railway club have now moved into a new facility in which they are building an exciting new set of layouts! The club hosts OO and N gauge layouts along with its very own shop selling a wide range of model railway items.
The Visitor Centre: Award-winning visitor centre makes a wonderful attraction as you approach the platforms at Shepherdswell. As you will note from the sign this was the original signal box that served Barham Station on the Elham Valley Line and was originally built in 1887. Following the closure of this line in 1947 the signal box was fortunately taken into private ownership and preserved and for some time was to found on Arter Brothers Forecourt.
EKR Museum: We have been developing a small museum and artefacts viewing area at Shepherdswell. This is a new facility that is open on most Train Operating days. You will find classic railway-related items on display along with interactive displays as well. The museum also holds an OO model railway that was built by a local resident over many years and was donated to the Trust recently.
WW2 Trench System: A set of restored WW2 trenched houses in our historic woodlands. Built during WW2 as defensive positions against the potential for a ground invasion by the Germans these trenches were manned by Canadian Troops.
The Friendly Army: Gabor Stark collaborated with the East Kent Railway as part of the Dover Museums and Arts Group project, Joined Up, a commemorative initiative focused on the First World War. This collaborative effort aimed to intertwine museums, heritage, and the arts within the Dover District. Each of the ten participating organizations, including the East Kent Railway, was assigned artists who delved into the site-specific connections to World War I. These artists then crafted unique artworks to reinterpret the historical collections associated with the war.
Platform 5 Bar: A new Bar is currently being developed inside a British Rail Mark 1 Coach. The new bar will serve Beers, Wines and Cocktails on our operating days along with other special events!
Driver Experiences: You can jump onboard and take a ride with our driver one way along the line. You’ll get to see everything the driver has to do on this journey and get the best view of the line.

Facilities

Food & Drinks: The cafe is open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 4pm and Sunday 9am to 5pm. Why not stop off for a break at Shepherdswell and visit our splendid Colonel’s Cafe? Named after the iconic railway engineer Colonel Holman F Stephens.

What to see

Train Driving Experiences at The East Kent Railway

Exclusive 1:1 train driving experience.
Welcome, introduction and safety briefing.
Get to grips with the controls in a short practice session.
Drive the locomotive for a return trip to Eythorne.
Information and facts about the loco from your experienced instructor.
Invite up to 4 passengers to ride on the train while you drive.
Experiences last around 2 hours.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adults: £12.00
Children: £8.00
Family: £35.00 (2 adults and 2 children)
Concessions: £8.00

EKR Membership:

Full Membership: Starts from £20.00 1 for Year Membership
Junior Membership: Starts from £12.00 for 1 Year Membership.
Family Membership: Starts from £27.00 for 1 Year Membership.
Senior Membership: Starts from £16.00 for 1 Year Membership.

For more membership information please visit: https://eastkentrailway.co.uk/ekr-membership/

For more information please visit: https://eastkentrailway.co.uk/opening-times/

Pricing URL: https://eastkentrailway.co.uk/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Party Bookings:

Your party could start with a train ride, a four-mile round trip along the railway in a suitably decorated train. Upon arrival back at Shepherdswell you could look around our Shop and Museum, visit our Model Railway or take a ride on our Miniature Railways, weather permitting. You could wander around our site taking in our Nature Trail. The more energetic might even take a Woodland Walk.
Your party could either be at Colonel’s Cafe or Eythorne station. Standard Children’s Parties include party food and drinks, banners, balloons.
Parties can be held in the Colonel’s Cafe Eythorne Station or a specially prepared Marquee. A Picnic Area is also available.
We can also cater for a Summer Barbecue and even a four-course Dinner Party and anything in between.
Music/Karaoke can be arranged for children or adults, with lighting available.
Please contact the catering team at Shepherdswell to book on 01304 832042, option 1 or email us [email protected]
A minimum of 14 days notice is required along with a non-refundable deposit £50 deposit to cover the setup costs. This will be offset against the final invoice.

For more information please visit: https://eastkentrailway.co.uk/party-bookings/