South East Steam Spectacular 2026

Duration

5 Days

Departure Dates

15th October 2026

Prices from

£925 Per person

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Full steam ahead on this action-packed tour to Kent featuring two major steam events, the magnificent "Giants of Steam" event at Bluebell Railway and the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Steam Gala. Steam nostalgia on three other historic steam lines including an exclusive charter, a depot visit, narrow-gauge railways, run-bys, and fantastic photo opportunities. Explore heritage and beauty on this fantastic celebration of steam.

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Bluebell Railway1 ©Shutterstock

5 days from £925

DEPARTS

Thursday 15 October 2026

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Experience the incredible "Giants of Steam" event at Bluebell Railway
Tickets allowing unlimited rides on the intensive service
Steam on the narrow-gauge Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
Exclusive steam charter and depot visit at the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railway
Journey through the High Weald countryside on the Spa Valley Railway
Steam nostalgia on the historic Kent & East Sussex Railway
Enjoy free time in the delightful town of Tenterden

Also included in your Tour Fare:

4 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 1 evening meal
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Journey from your home station to Ashford and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Hampton by Hilton Hotel, our hotel for the next four nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together at the Curious Brewery.

DAY 2

After breakfast this morning, we travel by coach to East Grinstead for the Bluebell Railway's incredible 'Giants of Steam' event. With five steam locomotives in action, unlimited travel on the intensive train service throughout the day, brilliant photographic opportunities, and lineside entertainment, this is a fantastic celebration of steam.

DAY 3

Today, our coach will take us to the narrow-gauge Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway for their fantastic Steam Gala where all available steam locomotives will be in service. We will steam through some of Kent's most picturesque countryside to Dungeness and, on our return, we alight at New Romney Station, the headquarters of the railway, where we can take time for lunch, witness the action, and explore the local history. This afternoon, we visit the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railway for an exclusive steam charter on this historic railway including a run-by and a depot visit.

DAY 4

After breakfast today, we travel by road to the Spa Valley Railway for a return journey through the beautiful High Weald countryside, riding behind steam to Eridge and returning behind diesel. We continue by road to Tenterden, home to the Kent & East Sussex Railway, where we enjoy a return steam journey through areas of outstanding natural beauty, following the unspoilt Rother Valley to Bodiam. On our return, we enjoy free time in the delightful town on Tenterden with its many independent shops or you can watch the later steam departure before returning to the hotel.

DAY 5

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Ashford and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTEL

Hampton by Hilton, Ashford

Ideally located close to the railway station, the Hampton by Hilton offers a modern, informal dining service with seasonal dishes, a stylish lounge area, and a fitness centre. The comfortable bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, ironing facilities, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

Fare Region	First*	Standard
London: Charing Cross	£1,019	£989
Greater London	£1,005	£979
South of England	£1,109	£1,019
East Anglia	£1,059	£1,009
South West	£1,105	£1,039
Heart of England	£1,085	£1,015
Midlands	£1,285	£1,099
Yorkshire	£1,219	£1,085
North East	£1,259	£1,105
North West	£1,365	£1,149
South Wales	£1,195	£1,089
North Wales	£1,319	£1,129
Scotland	£1,275	£1,115
Join & Leave at Hotel	£925
Single Traveller Supplement	£275
Deposit	£95

*Please Note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class seating only and First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of their journey.

4 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 1 evening meal

Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)

Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described

All excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Important – Please select the number of passengers before proceeding to ‘Book Now’

Number of passengers:

Date	From Price	Book Now	Callback
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Hampton by Hilton, Ashford

Curious Brewery

Bluebell Railway

Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway

Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railway

Spa Valley Railway

Kent & East Sussex Railway

Bluebell Railway2 ©Shutterstock

Bluebell Railway3 ©Shutterstock

Bluebell Railway4 ©Bluebell

Hythe, Kent ©Shutterstock

RH&D Railway1 ©AdobeStock

Kent & East Sussex Railway2 ©David Fowler

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