The Leighton Buzzard Railway will hold its annual Whisky Festival during the King’s Coronation Bank Holiday weekend and to toast the new monarch it has expanded to become the Bedfordshire Gin & Whisky Festival.

The festival will take place on Sunday, 7th May, from 10.30am until 4.30pm in the engine shed at Page’s Park. It will be hosted by knowledgeable staff who will be able to help you choose the right spirit from the about 60 whiskies, gins, other spirits, and pre-mixed cocktails that are expected to be available. They will also be able to answer any questions you may have.

For designated drivers and accompanied children, soft drinks will be available, and a hot food stand will be there to satisfy pangs of hunger.

To supplement the Festival, an enhanced train service will operate from Page’s Park station, with trains departing every 70 minutes between 10.30am and 3.10pm. Those locomotives not running on the day will be available to view, as will the railway’s popular guided Engine Shed Show.

Festival organiser Rocky Lancer said ‘I’m delighted that the Leighton Buzzard Railway have agreed to host the Bedfordshire Whisky Festival again in 2023. With all the profits being donated to the railway, I’m looking forward to many customers enjoying the day and supporting a good cause at the same time.”

Train tickets are not required for wishing just to attend the festival, and spirits prices start at just £1 per taste. Early bird entry tickets that give one-third off the price of on-the-door entry are now on sale for just £2. Full details about the festival, including a link to early bird entry tickets, can be found at https://www.buzzrail.uk/special-events/bedfordshire-gin-whisky-festival/

The festival will open when the first train of the day leaves at 10.45 and drinks will be served until 16.00. Drinkers will be allowed a small amount of ‘drinking up’ time.