If you’re a fan of vintage trains and wine, this Kent day out near London combines both.
Spa Valley Railway, which runs between Tunbridge Wells and East Sussex, has teamed up with Biddenden Vineyards to create an experience that blends heritage rail travel with English wine tasting in the heart of the High Weald.
What’s on offer
Under the scheme, anyone booking a self-guided tour at Biddenden Vineyards can claim 10 per cent off standard Spa Valley Railway tickets by presenting their vineyard booking at any station when purchasing tickets.
Meanwhile, railway passengers who show their train tickets at the vineyard will receive a complimentary £5 upgrade to their tasting experience, increasing their wine flight from three wines to six.
What you can get up to at Biddenden Vineyards
Biddenden Vineyards, located near Ashford, offers self-guided tours priced at £15, allowing visitors to explore the estate at their own pace.
Guests can follow a marked route through the vines, with a choice of a shorter 20-minute walk or a longer 40-minute route.
The standard experience includes a tasting of three wines, but those visiting as part of the railway offer can enjoy six wines at no extra cost.
Visitors are also able to redeem £5 against purchases over £20 in the vineyard shop.
The vineyard, Kent’s oldest commercial estate, spans 23 acres and produces a range of award-winning white, rosé, red and sparkling wines, and has been operating since 1969.
A day exploring historic rail travel at Spa Valley Railway
Spa Valley Railway offers a five-mile heritage journey through the countryside between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, stopping at High Rocks and Groombridge along the way.
Passengers can travel in restored vintage carriages, with services run by both steam and diesel locomotives.
Tickets allow unlimited travel for the day, with prices starting from £16 for adults and £15 for seniors. Children aged between two and 15 can travel free when accompanied by a paying adult, while a family ticket for two adults and two children costs £32.
The railway also hosts a variety of pre-bookable dining experiences throughout the year, including afternoon tea, fish and chips, and themed events such as murder mystery evenings and Faulty Towers-style dining.
Although the partnership is designed to create a full day out, visitors are not required to complete both experiences on the same day, with offers available to redeem until the end of October 2027.
What else to know
The Spa Valley Railway runs between Tunbridge Wells West, Groombridge and Eridge, offering scenic journeys through the High Weald.
The 10 per cent train ticket discount must be redeemed in person at station ticket offices and does not apply to special events or dining trains.
Vineyard tours must be booked separately through Biddenden Vineyards, with the upgrade available on presentation of a valid train ticket.
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