East Kent Railway

Step aboard one of the trains of the East Kent Railway to ride through beautiful rural countryside.

You’ll travel on preserved historic trains and enjoy great views but it is not just the short trip on this heritage railway that makes visiting East Kent Railway a great day out. Train journeys are complemented by a visitor centre in one of two preserved signal boxes, a model railway and two miniature railways with ride-on trains. There is also a café at each station, a picnic area and a lovely walk through a 350-year-old woodland so whether you are looking for a family day out or have a special interest in Kent’s history or railways, East Kent Railway is a great place to head for.

But back to the main event! The five-mile round trip on the East Kent Railway takes you along tracks which were originally part of the railway serving the Kent coalfield. The line was operational from 1917 to 1987, when this part of Kent was mined for coal, and it’s thanks to the enthusiasm of volunteers that this section or railway between Shepherdswell and Eythorne has been preserved. Visitors ride aboard one of the restored electric or diesel trains, acquired by the East Kent Railway Trust, to make the journey through this heritage landscape of steep chalk-lined cutting and rolling hills.

To find out about special events at the railway visit the East Kent Railway website.