Blog post

Road Meets Rail at Bluebell Railway

September 3, 2021

Where? Near Uckfield, East Sussex

How much? A standard family ticket bought in advance costs £55 for 2 adults and up to 3 children. Special events vary in price.

Who will enjoy it? The Bluebell Railway is loved by all ages from babies to grandfolk!

About

Bluebell Railway was one of the first preserved Heritage railway lines the country. Running 11 glorious miles between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead this historic railway offers visitors the chance to explore acres of Sussex countryside while stepping back to a romantic, bygone era. The railway offers services on vintage steam trains and carriages stopping at four beautifully preserved stations complete with historically dressed rail staff and signage.

Road Meets Rail

We recently visited Bluebell Railway for their special Road Meets Rail event, where in addition to the joys of the railway visitors could experience a traditional steam fair, working traction engines and numerous stunning vintage vehicles. From the moment we arrived at Sheffield Park staff greeted us cheerfully and in historic character. The railway has done their upmost to ensure that visits feel comfortable and safe with continued encouragement of the use of face coverings and the option of reserving separate compartments for most journeys.

For us the highlights of our visit were the first hand sensations bringing the smells and sounds of this beautiful era to life. The whistling of the steam trains, the stench of the coal as the soot flies through the windows, the fumes from the heat of the traction engines and the rhythm mechanics – the delightful chaos of engineering in motion!

The stations themselves are kept in pristine condition with a must-see museum and exhibition at Sheffield Park. I loved looking at all the adverts and props dotted about the platform, all adding to the sense that time here really has stood still, as well as making a great photo opportunity!

Future Events

Bluebell Railway is a great day out at any time but their Christmas events are particularly special. This year festive railway enthusiasts can enjoy both the Santa Special and Steam Lights services – be sure to book in advance because these events are both very popular!

For more details on visiting please visit the Bluebell Railway website. Big thanks to the team at the railway for inviting us to experience their Road Meets Rail event in exchange for this review.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.