Day out: Kent & East Sussex Railway

The guard's whistle blows, steam is billowing from the great locomotive and you're off – chugging through the countryside aboard a historic train.

Grandparents are sure to have stories of the days of steam trains.

So why don't you step back in time with a day out on the Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR)?

The line dates back to 1900. After the railway's closure in 1954, the railway was reopened by volunteers in 1974 as an attraction.

Both steam and diesel trains run along the line according to a timetable which varies throughout the year. Throughout August it will be running its red timetable with five vintage steam trains running each day.

Beginning at Tenterden Station in Kent, the trains wind their way along the 10.5 mile line through the beautiful Wealden countryside and Rother Valley before reaching their destination at Bodiam.

With the all day unlimited travel rover ticket, you can start your journey at Tenterden and hop on and hop off at any one of the four other stations – Rolvenden, Wittersham Road, Northiam, and the final station, Bodiam.

And this month, until Friday, August 28, get up to three free child rover tickets when an adult buys one adult rover ticket – read on to find out more.

Tenterden Town

Start your journey from the picturesque town of Tenterden.

Based here is the railway headquarters.

The station office, which was the railway's original operational office when it first opened, is still used by the stationmaster.

Buy your tickets next door in the booking office, explore the gift shop which was once the goods office, and enjoy something to eat in the refreshment rooms with a children's play area nearby.

On the platform a replica of the station nameboard stands proud – you can see the original in the Colonel Stephen Railway Museum at this station. The museum opens at 12.30pm, £1.50 for adults, 50p for children (eight to 14).

See the carriage repairs shed, a goods yard crane, water tower and a signal box.

The siding houses the luxury dining train, The Wealden Pullman.

As your train leaves Tenterden it heads downhill towards the marshes – it has to work hard on the uphill climb on its return. Admire the views including the yeoman's houses before reaching Orpin's Farm where the track levels out and comes to Rolvenden Station.

Rolvenden

This was the original Tenterden Station and was the headquarters of the locomotive works, which are still on the site although the original buildings are no longer there.

Rolvenden village is 1.5 miles from the station where lovers of historic vehicles can visit the CM Booth collection.

On from Rolvenden the train continues through the Rother Levels marshlands.

See where crayfish are farmed and if you're lucky you might spot a wild boar in the woodland. Swans gather in the New Mill Channel.

Wittersham Road

Walkers like to use this station and there are a Rail Trails walks from the station to explore. Pick up a booklet from K&ESR to find out more.

By the picnic site is an ammunition store for a large gun that fired at France in the Second World War.

The train now journeys up a short steep climb before you can see the Hexden Channel and River Rother join and sweep out past the Isle of Oxney towards Romney March and the sea at Rye.

Northiam Station

Once the end of the line, this station has a car park – formally the goods yard – and buffet in the former goods office. Park here for Bodiam as there is no car park at the final destination.

Continue on for three miles up the valley between the flood plain and the hills. Spot Bodiam Castle on the hill and pass through fields once covered with hop gardens before reaching Bodiam where it's the end of the line and time to all change please, all change.

Bodiam

The station has been restored how it was in 1900 with a small waiting and booking area and goods office.

Until 30 years ago the station was surrounded by hopfields owned by Guinness. Hop pickers arrived in on special trains from North Kent, Sussex and London.

Stop here to visit Bodiam Castle before making the return journey back to Tenterden.

Events

Kids go free

K&ESR are offering free all-day rover tickets to children aged three to 15 until Friday, August 28. To claim, print a voucher from the website www.kesr.org.uk and in return you'll receive up to three free child tickets with the purchase of one adult rover ticket costing £12.80 (children under three already go free). Each child will get an activity sheet to fill in on their journey so bring some pencils. See the K&ESR website for full details.

Pensioners' treat

When the kids are back at school pensioners can enjoy special discount days.

From Tuesday, September 8 to Thursday, September 10 pensioners will pay only £7.50 each for a rover ticket to travel on one of the vintage steam or heritage diesel trains.

There are special carriages with wheelchair access, disabled toilets at three stations and allocated parking.

Hop Pickers Weekend

The 9th annual Hop Pickers Weekend is held from Saturday, September 12 to Sunday September 13, celebrating 51 years since the last Hop Picker Special service arrived at Bodiam station.

A Day Out with Thomas

Thomas the Tank Engine rolls in to Tenterden Station on Saturdays and Sundays September 19, 20, 26 and 27.

Tickets cost £12 for adults and £9.50 for children and include a one hour train ride to Wittersham Road, the chance to enjoy Thomas & Friends station scenarios and a programme of events.

Santa Specials

Ride on a steam train and meet Santa. You'll be greeted at Tenterden Station with a pipe organ before boarding a decorated steam train for your one hour return journey to Wittersham Road. On board pixie helpers will serve refreshments and Santa will give out presents.

You can then enjoy a ride on a 5ins gauge miniature railway to visit the Snow Queen and enjoy free rides on the Victorian carousel.

Dates throughout December – see K&ESR website for details.

Plus...

October sees Tenterden Folk Festival, Austin Counties Car Rally, Autumn Walks and Halloween Half Term Fun Week -– see website for more details.

The lowdown:

What: Kent & East Sussex Railway

Where: Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6HE

Phone: 01580 765155

24-hour talking timetable: 01580 762943

Web: www.kesr.org.uk

Times: Gates open 9.45am. In August the first train leaves Tenterden at 10.40am and the last train leaves Northiam at 4.43pm. Full details on website or call talking timetable

Fares: Day rover tickets – adults £12.80, pensioners £11.80, children (three to 15) £7.80, children under three free, family £34, see K&ESR website for special offer details, first class single journey upgrades available

Parking: Free parking at Tenterden and Northiam Stations

Get there: Tenterden and Northiam stations are on the A28. Leave the M20 at junction 5. Where the A262 meets the A28 turn right towards Tenterden. Northiam Station is south of Tenterden, one mile north of Northiam village, on Station Road, TN31 6QT. Detailed directions on website. By train to Headcorn Railway Station and taxi to Tenterden Station. By train to Robertsbridge Station for Northiam

Disabled access: Parking spaces, toilets, disabled access coach, ramps in some other coaches, access to shop, refreshment rooms and museum at Tenterden, induction loop at Tenterden ticket office, large print timetable