COVID-19 and the 2020 season

Due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Covid 19 epidemic we have continued to carry out detailed reviews for future events at the railway during 2020. Although we had been hoping to re-open in August with our Classic Car Day, we very much regret that the decision has been taken to cancel this and all other open days for the remainder of 2020. Please note that entry payments sent in for the Classic Car Day have not been banked, however if you have any queries please let us know.

Our primary concern is for the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff and we feel that, despite the slight easing of lockdown, the risks are just too great. Social distancing would prove difficult to control on site, in the railway carriages and in the Tea Room and The Shop.

As a result of the limitations and restrictions that would be necessary, we feel visitors would not benefit from the full facilities we would normally have available. We hope that everyone will understand the dilemma we face and appreciate that to close for the remainder of the year was not an easy decision to make.

Ticket announcement

Any ticket issued for use in 2020 will be good until November 2021.
If you would like a refund please post your ticket back to:

BWLR Ticketing
Keepers Farm
Swanton Street
Bredgar
Kent ME9 8AT

Please include your bank information (Name, Sort code and Account No.) and we will refund the ticket directly into your bank account.

Open Days For 2020

All open days planned for 2020 have now been cancelled.

Opening Times

Car park opens – 10:30
First Train – 11:00
Last Train – 16:30
Line closes – 17:00

Prices

Includes parking and as many train rides as you wish

Adults – £12.50
Child (3-15 yrs) – £5
Under 3 – Free
Family Ticket – £30 (2 adults and up to 3 children)

Annual tickets are available here

Important Visitor Information

Please note the railway now has credit card facilities at the Gate, Tea Room and Shop.

Accessibility

We endeavor to get blue badge holders close to the entrance for parking. Once inside most areas are good and wheelchair friendly. For further information here.

BWLR leaflet

Download our leaflet here.

The Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway

Our narrow gauge railway is set in the delightful and secluded 30 acres on the North Downs in Kent. It is central to our activities here at Bredgar and is part of a collection of restored vehicles and exhibits which ensure an absorbing day out for both enthusiast and the family.

A day at Bredgar includes unlimited trips in our vintage style railway carriages hauled by gleaming historic locomotives. Our main building houses the steam locomotives which are resting on the day of your visit, vintage motor cars, a steam powered beam engine, our superb and extensive model railway and numerous small exhibits. Also working on the site will be our road and agricultural traction engines and some of our vintage tractors. We have woodland walks and plenty of places in the field or woods for visitors to have a picnic and for children to play. There is a large free car park. A warm welcome awaits those who visit our tea room and the railway shop, both of which are open throughout the day.

The Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway is twinned with Le Chemin de Fer Touristique de la Vallee de l’Ouche in Burgundy, France.
Read more here.

BBC Kent did a short article and video about the BWLR back in 2007
Read it here.

A Brief History of The Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway

Our railway is not a preserved line. Starting in 1975 it was built from scratch by a group of friends and now blends well into the North Kent Downs. Initially a small industrial diesel locomotive was purchased. This was soon joined by others, but it was not until 1979 that ‘Bronhilde’, our first steam engine arrived. In the meantime sheds had been built, track laid and carriages constructed. As time went on and more locomotives moved to Bredgar, projects became more ambitious. The mainline was re-laid, a proper station built and boogie coaches were designed and constructed.

By the late 1980s the railway had grown out of all recognition. A sizable new locomotive and stock shed with a turntable replaced the original structure. Warren Wood station had been completely rebuilt and a new station deep in the woods had been added.

The selection of locomotives brought to Bredgar has expanded and now represents narrow gauge systems from many parts of the world.

As our railway developed, complementary attractions were added: traction engines, a steam roller, vintage cars, miniature locos and a model railway. All have historical significance and a unique appeal.

The main objective of the railway is the preservation of steam locomotives in a form which enables railway enthusiasts, the general public and children to appreciate how important this type of energy was to industry for over 100 years. For obvious reasons the locomotives cannot be shown undertaking the industrial duties for which they were built but all have been restored to their original specifications and are run as part of small goods or passenger trains. To this end the passenger coaches have a period look and the collection of goods vehicles is varied. Warren Woods Station is situated near the main Hollingbourne to Sittingbourne road, about a mile south of Bredgar village. The station is the headquarters of the railway where the workshops, locomotive shed, tearoom and toilets are situated.

Many of the original group of friends are still responsible for the railway and other attractions. We hope their enthusiasm, skill and dedication provide you with an enjoyable day out.

For a more in depth possible history read more here.

The Tearoom & Railway Shop

The Tearoom  and Railway Shop now have facilities to take credit card payments.

No Visit to our railway would be complete without sampling the delight of the Tearoom.

Visitors are delighted at the warm and friendly welcome from the Tearoom Staff. We open for business before the first train departs – so why not call in for some light refreshment prior to your railway journey.

In addition to tea, coffee and soft drinks there is a variety of food available including filled rolls, hot buttered toast, toasted tea cakes, confectionery and fresh fruit. Ice cream is also on sale, especially welcome on those hot summer days. A wide range of delicious home made cakes have long been a star attraction in the Tearoom. Their popularity is renowned and they are a treat not to be missed by young and old alike.

There is seating available in the cozy surroundings of the Tearoom, but many also enjoy the outside seating areas where they can soak up the atmosphere of the day and listen to the music of the Dutch Street Organ.

Railway shop

Next door you will find our Railway Shop where we have a large stock of model locomotives, tractors, planes and cars. There is a wide range of other toys for outdoor and indoor games. For young children there are soft toys, colouring books and crayons available. You will also find postcards, collectables and stationery items.

We have some excellent large size photos of our trains in action which are suitable for framing.

Christopher Vine’s wonderful series of Peter’s Railway books are also stocked.

Disclaimer: Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of these pages, the BWLR cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. All information given on this website is provided in good faith. The BWLR reserves the right to vary content of this website without prior notice. All photographs remain the property of the relevant photographer. Copyright © BWLR· 2019