Spa Valley Railway will see its Real Ale and Cider Festival return for its 12th year and will take place from Thursday the 19th to Sunday the 22nd of October.

The special event will see a massive 150 Real Ales and 50 Ciders available for attendees to enjoy and will be perfectly matched with an array of food stalls including a BBQ by Fullers Butcher, Thai Food and delicious cheeses from the Cheese Shop in Tunbridge Wells.

Over the weekend, the event will also feature live entertainment and, of course, wonderful steam and heritage diesel locomotives that will haul trains from Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, including:

• Caledonian Railway No. 828
• Hunslet Austerity No, 2890 ‘Douglas’
• Class 25 D7535

Please note that no trains will operate on Thursday the 19th of October due to this being an exclusive preview evening at Tunbridge Wells West only. This date is new to the festival for 2023 and will see attendees able to enjoy delicious beers and ciders in the railway’s Victorian Engine Shed in the company of stunning rail vehicles.

The event will run as follows:

Thursday the 19th of October – Preview Event:

• The event will run from 18:00 to 22:00 at Tunbridge Wells West only
• No trains will operate
• Entry £5

Friday the 20th and Saturday the 21st of October:

• Trains run from 9:00 to 22:30
• Tunbridge Wells West Bar opens from 11:00 to 22:30
• Groombridge Bar opens from 11:00 to 20:30
• Eridge Bar opens from 11:00 to 21.30

Sunday the 22nd of October:

• Trains run from 9:00 to 17:30
• Tunbridge Wells West Bar opens from 11:00 to 18:00
• Groombridge Bar opens from 11:00 to 16:00
• Eridge Bar opens from 11:00 to 16.00
• Entry is free however, tickets are required for train travel

Train Tickets for 1 day of unlimited travel are as follows:

• Adult – £20
• Child – £10
• Family – £45

To find out more or to book tickets, please click here.

The Festival sees a collaboration between Spa Valley Railway and West Kent CAMRA and is supported by a grant from Royal Tunbridge Wells Together.

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.”