Open Days For 2020
Sunday 12 April – Easter Open Day
Theme: Easter Eggs First open day of 2020 with hunt for the kids
Sunday 3 May – Open day
Theme: Model Railway Exhibition & see the Bluebells
Saturday 16 May – Driving course
Applications welcome
Sunday 7 June – Open Day
Theme: Services day. All forces with equipment new and old.
Sunday 5 July – Open Day
Theme: Enthusiasts/Gala Day. Everything we can get rolling will be out.
Sunday 2 August – Open Day
Theme: Classic Car and Vehicle Day* (complete the form listed below)
Sunday 6 September – Open Day
Theme: Classic Tractors and Farm equipment
Saturday 12 September – Driving course
Applications welcome
Sunday 4 October – Open Day
Theme: Open Day and Best Dressed Teddy
Sunday 25 October – Gala Day
Theme: End of Season Steam up
*Classic car and vehicle entry form
Download our 2 August Classic car Open day entry form here.
Note
The dates indicated above are the ONLY dates we are open to the public.
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
