Later this year the Spa Valley Railway at Tunbridge Wells in Kent will be hosting its 12th annual Railway Ale and Cider Festival.

This will be the 12th year that it is being held, and this year the dates are from Thursday, 19th to Sunday, 22nd October. Over 150 real ales and 50 ciders will be available, as well as food stalls, live entertainment, as well as the chance to travel on fabulous steam and heritage diesel trains.

The festival is being held in the railway’s Victorian Engine Shed in association with the West Kent branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), and has received a grant from Royal Tunbridge Wells Together.

Throughout the weekend, heritage steam and diesel trains will operate between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, with steam locomotives Caledonian Railway No. 828, Hunslet Austerity No. 2890 Douglas, and Class 25 diesel locomotive D7535 hauling trains between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge.

Food stalls will include a BBQ hosted by traditional butchers Fuller’s from Tunbridge Wells, delicious oriental dishes from the Thai food stand, and all things cheese from the Cheese Shop of Tunbridge Wells.

On Sunday 22nd October there will be live all afternoon and evening until the close of the event.

The festival’s main bar will be at Tunbridge Wells West, station, although beers and ciders will also be available at Groombridge and Eridge stations, and can also be purchased from bars on board all the trains. The bar will be open from 18:00 to 22:00 on Thursday, the 19th, from 11:00 until 22:30 on Friday, the 20th, and Saturday, the 21st, and from 11:00 until 18:30 on Sunday, the 22nd of October.

New for this year will be an exclusive preview evening at Tunbridge Wells West station between 18:00 and 22:00 on Thursday 19th October. Beers and ciders will be available for sampling in the Victorian Engine Shed, where guests will be able to enjoy their evening surrounded by heritage railway vehicles. Adult entry for the evening is £5 and there will be no trains operating during this preview evening.

Trains will be running from 09:00 to 22:30 on Friday, 20th and Saturday, 21st, and from 09:00 to 22:30 on Sunday, 22nd October. Tickets for one day’s unlimited travel on the trains are adults £20, child £10, and family tickets £45.
All tickets can be booked online at www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk

Jonnie Pay, Commercial Manager at the Spa Valley Railway said: “This is one of the most important annual events for the railway as it raises essential funds to help us keep the railway running for all to enjoy. It’s also a very popular event which allows us to invite other local businesses to provide food, drink and entertainment for our visitors.”