Leading South East Attraction
Announces 2012 Events
23 Dec 11
The latest events list for the Kent & East Sussex Railway has been released.
With plenty of new events added and many of the Railways most popular events continued
there is bound to be something for everyone to enjoy this coming year,
whether it is a trip with Thomas the Tank Engine or a step back to times gone by at the 1940’s weekend.
A Day Out with Thomas 11-12 & 18-19 February
Thomas will be making exclusive appearances at Tenterden station with some of his friends including ‘Sir Topham Hatt, The Fat Controller’. Tickets include a 1 hour train ride, the chance to enjoy “Thomas & Friends” station scenarios as well as a daily fun packed programme of children’s events with Uncle Myles and Charlie the Clown. Adult £13.50 1st Class supp £3, Child £10.50 1st Class Supp £2
Kids for a Quid 14-17 February
The Kent & East Sussex Railway and Bodiam Castle have collaborated on a special promotion to offer great days out for families at affordable prices this half term. Available between 14 and 17 February 2012, Kids for a Quid offers families the chance to enjoy rides on the Kent & East Sussex Railway whilst paying just £1 for each child. Passengers can board the beautifully restored vintage steam trains at Tenterden Station, which will take them along the 10 ½ mile line to Bodiam station, passing through the Rother Valley. Vouchers, available from the Railway’s website, are required.
Mother’s Day 18 March
A special Mother’s Day treat can be booked for £22.50 with the Kent & East Sussex Railway where the whole family can enjoy the service and style from a more gentle time. An age when opulent surroundings and attentive staff made our railways the envy of the world. This special Mother’s Day treat includes a two-hour return journey on one of the Railway’s restored steam trains, a reserved table for your family for either a hearty Ploughmans Lunch or a delicious Cream Tea together with a surprise gift for every Mum to take home to remember her special day. Relax on board and enjoy some quality time with Mum, as you take in the beautiful scenery of the surrounding countryside, interrupted only by the gentle chug of the steam engine. Mothers Day Treat £22.50, Adult £15.00, OAP £14.00 Child £10 plus catering
Rock With The Tots 31 March
Families will enjoy a 25 minute steam train journey on the Kent & East Sussex Railway along the picturesque line from Tenterden before alighting to see two of children’s TV’s favourite characters. Featuring popular pre-school television characters FiFi Forget-me-Not and her best friend Bumble, ‘Rock With The Tots’ is a high energy, sing-along stage show designed to entertain the whole family and encourage young family members to join in!
Adult £13.50 1st Class supp £3, Child £10.50 1st Class Supp £2
Family Ticket Offer Easter 2-5 & 10-13 April
Families can purchase a reduced ticket when travelling on the Kent & East Sussex Railway between these dates. Tickets reduced from £42 to £35. A Family ticket is valid for 2 Adults and up to 3 Children OR 1 Adult and up to 4 Children
Grandparents Weekend 14-15 April
Children can treat grandparents to a nostalgic day out for FREE on the Kent & East Sussex Railway during a special grandparents’ weekend, when every child rover ticket purchased entitles a grandparent to travel for free. The unlimited day travel tickets allow visitors to hop off the train and explore the many activities each destination has to offer such as the shops in Tenterden or the magnificent Bodiam Castle. Or why not visit the new Mill Toy & Pedal Car Museum which can be found directly opposite Northiam station.
Spring Walks 28-29 April
On 28 and 29 April 2012 everyone can take advantage of the Kent & East Sussex Railway’s special weekend summer promotion which combines a walk with a nostalgic steam train ride. Over the weekend, keen walkers can take advantage of a 25% discount on all single train fares along with a free copy of the glossy “Railtrails” guide book, featuring six different walks with maps. Those wishing not to walk can still purchase full price rover tickets and a standard train timetable will be operating over the weekend.
Steam Train Gala 5-7 May
All aboard for the annual 3 day Steam Train Gala at the Kent & East Sussex Railway in Tenterden starting on Saturday 5 May 2012. The event promises visiting locomotives, plenty of excitement with a range of one-off workings and special events spread across the three days of the bank holiday weekend. Gala prices – adult £17.50, Senior £15, Child £12.50, family £50, member £10. Two day tickets: adults £30, senior £25, child £20, member £20. Three day tickets: adult £35, senior £30, child £25, member £25.
1940’s Weekend 19-20 May
On 19 and 20 May 2012 the Kent & East Sussex Railway will be hosting their annual 1940’s weekend when visitors of all ages can re-live the forties lifestyle along the line. This historical railway is the ideal location for this unrivalled event, when period features including steamers, bunting, spivs and characters in authentic costume create a nostalgic atmosphere for visitors enjoying the variety of activities on offer. Adult £15.00, OAP £14.00 Child £10, Family £42
Family Ticket Offer 6-10 June
Families can purchase a reduced ticket when travelling on the Kent & East Sussex Railway between these dates. Tickets reduced from £42 to £35. A family ticket is valid for 2 Adults and up to 3 Children OR 1 Adult and up to 4 Children.
CAMRA Beer Festival 16 June
Celebrate the arrival of summer with a visit to the Kent & East Sussex Railway in Tenterden on Saturday 16 June 2012 for the annual CAMRA’s Real Ale & Cider Festival. This popular social event takes place between 11:00am and 10:30pm (or until the beer runs out!) and is organised by the Ashford, Folkestone and Romney Marsh Branches of CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale. On the day visitors can partake in a wide range of activities, from trying a diverse range of some of the finest Ale, Cider and Perry in the exclusive beer tent, or relaxing and listening to an eclectic mix of live music. There will be a delicious selection of food from a BBQ or the licenced refreshment room. Adult £15.00, OAP £14.00 Child £10, Family £42
Father’s Day 17 June
On Father’s Day (Sunday 17 June) why not treat Dad to a day out at the Kent & East Sussex Railway in Tenterden for just £24.50. This special Father’s Day treat includes a return journey on one of the Railway’s stunning vintage steam trains and dad can choose from a delicious homemade ploughmans lunch or cream tea, served to your reserved table and complimented with a bottle of the railway’s very own beer, “Dad’s Delight” Fathers Day Treat £24.50. Adult £15.00, OAP £14.00 Child £10 plus catering.
Pensioners Treat, £10 a seat 26-28 June
Take a nostalgic steam train journey with the Kent & East Sussex Railway between 26 and 28 June 2012 and if you are over 60 take advantage of the special price all day rover ticket for seniors which is only £10. Everyone travelling on the railway can enjoy a 21-mile relaxing steam train ride in beautifully restored carriages travelling through picturesque countryside between Tenterden, Northiam and Bodiam stations.
WWI Event 30 June – 1 July
“Goodbye Dolly!” A Great War extravaganza featuring 30 living historians in appropriate military uniforms supported by 10 period interpreters portraying civilian personnel. Support equipment includes General Service Wagon, Lewis Machine Gun Cart, Water Cart, Dispatch Rider Motorcycle, Pedal Cycles, Casualty Reception Facility, Recruitment Tent and Period Photography Booth, Bell Tent encampment. Adult £15.00, OAP £14.00 Child £10, Family £42
Summer Walks 7-8 July
On 7 and 8 July 2012 everyone can take advantage of the Kent & East Sussex Railway’s special weekend summer promotion which combines a walk with a nostalgic steam train ride. Over the weekend, keen walkers can take advantage of a 25% discount on all single train fares along with a free copy of the glossy “Railtrails” guide book, featuring six different walks with maps. Those wishing not to walk can still purchase full price rover tickets and a standard train timetable will be operating over the weekend.
A Day Out with Thomas 21-23 July
Families are invited to come along to The Kent & East Sussex Railway in Tenterden between 21 and 23 July 2012 to meet everyone’s favourite steam engine Thomas the Tank Engine. Thomas will be making exclusive appearances at Tenterden station with some of his friends including ‘Sir Topham Hatt, The Fat Controller’. Tickets cost from £13.50 per adult and £10.50 per child and include a 1 hour train ride behind one of the Railway’s engines, the chance to enjoy “Thomas & Friends” station scenarios as well as a daily fun packed programme of children’s events with Uncle Myles and Charlie the Clown. Adult £13.50 1st Class supp £3, Child £10.50 1st Class Supp £2
1960’s Event 4-5 August
Become immersed in the sounds, sights and fashions of one of the most iconic decades of the last century. Adult £15.00, OAP £14.00 Child £10, Family £42
Hoppers Weekend 8-9 September
On the 8 and 9 September, visitors to Bodiam station can enjoy a whole weekend of “opping nostalgia” as the Kent & East Sussex Railway hosts its annual Hop Pickers Weekend. Bodiam was an important area for hop picking and the weekend re-lives the days when Londoners came ‘dahn ‘opping’ for a summer break. Each summer hop pickers used to arrive in specially timetabled trains from London and this year the railway is celebrating 54 years since the last Hop Pickers Special arrived at Bodiam station. Adult £15.00, OAP £14.00 Child £10, Family £42
Pensioners Treat 18-20 September
Take a nostalgic steam train journey with the Kent & East Sussex Railway between Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 September 2012 and if you are over 60 take advantage of the special price all day rover ticket for seniors which is only £10. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Bodiam Castle, which is a short walk from Bodiam Station, or The Mill Toy & Pedal Car Museum, which can be found directly opposite Northiam station. Enjoy reduced admission to either attraction on production of your train ticket. Allow time to see the restored Cavell Van at Bodiam Station. This historic carriage is an important railway legacy from the Great War era and carried Nurse Edith Cavell’s coffin, that of Captain Charles Fryatt and the Unknown Warrior.
A Day Out with Thomas 29-30 September
Families are invited to come along to The Kent & East Sussex Railway in Tenterden between 29 and 30 September 2012 for a fun packed fantastic day out. Everyone’s favourite steam engine Thomas the Tank Engine will be making exclusive appearances at Tenterden station with some of his friends including ‘Sir Topham Hatt, The Fat Controller’. Tickets include a 1 hour train ride to Wittersham Road and back behind one of the Railway’s engines, the chance to enjoy “Thomas & Friends” station scenarios as well as a daily fun packed programme of children’s events with Uncle Myles and Charlie the Clown.
Adult £13.50 1st Class supp £3, Child £10.50 1st Class Supp £2
The 20th Tenterden Folk Festival 6-7 October
Tenterden Folk Festival is a four day long festival of folk song, music and dance. Tenterden, situated in the ancient Weald of Kent, about 12 miles west of Ashford, is an ideal setting for this friendly, family folk festival. It features one of the widest high streets in the country lined with historic and listed buildings, numerous friendly pubs and restaurants and green verges.
Austin Counties Car Rally 13-14 October
See a selection of these vehicles on show at Tenterden Station in what is the 20th year of this popular rally. Adult £15.00, OAP £14.00 Child £10, Family £42
Halloween Half Term Fun Week 29 – 31 October and 1 & 2 November
There will be plenty of spine tingling tricks and treats during ‘Halloween fun week’ from Monday 29 to Friday 2 November. Enjoy spooktacular entertainment at Tenterden station and join in the ‘make and take’ activities, including the pumpkin carving workshop. All activities are included in the ticket price.
Fright Night Trains 31 October and 2 November
As the clock strikes 6pm on Wednesday 31 and Friday 2 November take the Halloween Howler steam train ride from Tenterden Station on the popular ‘Fright Night’ Train. Enjoy scary face painting, ‘make and take’ activities and pumpkin carving at Tenterden Station from 4:30pm. Once on board, be prepared to be frightened silly with ghostly goings on at stations with a firework display and a few surprises along the way. Every child will also receive a delicious snack box for the all-inclusive ticket price of £16 Booking essential.
Families are encouraged to come in fancy dress, the scarier the better!
Cavell Van 11 November
On Sunday 11 November 2012, take part in a rare and exclusive opportunity and travel to Bodiam on the 11.30am steam departure from Tenterden station. A Terrier locomotive will make this special journey with a train formed of the Cavell Van, Birdcage and other historic vintage stock. The departure from Tenterden station will follow a Service of Remembrance at 10.45am and two minutes silence at 11.00am. Adult £15.00, OAP £14.00 Child £10, Family £42
Santa Specials Selected Dates in December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-24 December
Meet Santa at one of Kent’s best loved attractions this Christmas when you take a magical steam train journey at The Kent & East Sussex Railway’s popular Santa Specials, now in their 38th year! When you arrive at Tenterden Station you’ll be greeted by the sound of Christmas Carols and you can enjoy as many free rides on the Victorian carousel as you can fit into your day. On board the beautifully decorated steam train families will meet Santa Claus during the hour long return journey to Wittersham Road. Children should also look out for the pixies whose sacks are full of lovely presents. After your train ride the fun continues at Tenterden Station. Plans are being made for one of the most exciting and unexpected entertainment events ever at a steam railway. All will be revealed! All £17.50, 1st Class £21, Early Bird (1&2) £14.50 + 1st class Supp £3, Christmas Eve Supp £1 on all fares.
This year is set to be an exciting one for the Kent & East Sussex Railway so be sure to not to miss out!
For more information on the Kent & East Sussex Railway and the listed events visit www.kesr.org.uk
