The Bluebell Railway
The Bluebell Railway
- Day Trips
- Sheffield Park Station, near
- Haywards Heath, West Sussex
- TN22 3QL
- 01825 720800
| Opening hours: |
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| See website. Train times vary throughout the year. Open on other days (except Christmas Day) for static viewing of many of our 30 steam locos, plus shop and restaurant. |
| Disabled access: |
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| Yes |
| Parking: |
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| Private car park |
| Child friendly: |
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| Yes |
27 July 2012
Had a great time at the Bluebell railway, you guys work so hard and dont get paid, thats dedication for you.
Good luck,
Phill
17 December 2011
Great day out , if the weather is good!! Pretty good day if the weather isn’t so good. Defintely pays to become a member as you get better deals. Can recommend the evening dinner on the Pullman cars. Suggest booking B & B in East Grinstead so you can have a little tipple or two. Service is great on the cars and the food equally as good.
25 May 2009
The attraction of noisy steam trains for children and adults alike is always a puzzle. This is a great day out and living locally to three of the stations I know the lovely Sussex countryside is an enticing backdrop to the many budding photographers who lurk in the fields for hours waiting on a steam train to rush past.
18 November 2008
This must be one of the best-known and best-loved steam railways and I’m so glad they have resisted the temptation to 'Thomas-ise’ it. Even though it is one of the area’s biggest tourist attraction it still has the atmosphere of a quiet branch line.
I visited recently and it was exactly as I remembered from my own childhood. The trains and stations feel absolutely authentic. Chugging through the countryside with the evocative smell of smoke and upholstery is a real pleasure even for those not particularly interested in trains.
The cafe at Sheffield Park is the one disappointment - offering the standard burgers and chips fare. And there is no catering at all at Kingscote station, at the northern end of the line. Remember to take water with you - I was gasping with thirst.
27 September 2008
Went with the kids for the Christmas special - a great experience riding an old steam train with the lavish interior styling of old. Could hardly contain the excitement of the children who were thoroughly thrilled at seeing and riding on these lovely old trains. Got to meet santa at one end of the journey - nice touch! The train journey lasted about 30-40 minutes each way - as it was Xmas we shared our comparment with another family - but when we went another time we got a whole compartment to ourselves.
The stations are also authentically from the past providing for a real blast from the past.
1 May 2008
Excellent train rides for children as well as grown up rides. The Christmas Special is excellent value for money and a magical experinence. Well worth booking for Christmas well in advance.
16 November 2007
Good outing for the family - although Dad might enjoy it more than the kids. There isn't much specifically designed for children here, surprisingly.
The main restaurant/pub is at the Sheffield Park end, so if you want to string out your day, bring a picnic and do something at the other end before coming back.
29 March 2007
The oldest preserved main-line steam railway in the UK is still one of the best.
The main base is at Sheffield Park station, near the National Trust gardens of the same name. The main locomotive sheds are here, with lots of steam engines to look at, plus a large shop selling railway items, a cafe and restuarant and a small museum display.
Of course, a ride behind a steam engine is a must. Frequency depends on the season, but a round trip takes about an hour and a half. There are special evening restaurant trains with fine dining aboard a Pullman car (advance booking required) and 'Thomas the Tank Engine' days for the kids. You can easily spend a whole day here.
Winter-time trains are especially evocative as the stations are still lit by gas lamps. The website also lists information for wheel-chair users (a special carriage is available).
Once part of the East Grinstead - Lewes line, they are currently rebuilding the link into East Grinstead. If you come by car, go to Sheffield Park station. If not, there is a bus link from the National Rail station at East Grinstead to Kingscote, the current terminus, in summer, which connects with the trains.
Results of The Bluebell Railway in Haywards Heath
in association with
Report