The popular Beer & Cider Festival will be back at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells later this year.
The beer festival take place along the 5 mile line from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 October 2025.
One of the organisers and General Manager at the Spa Valley Railway Jonnie Pay said: “After the event attracted record numbers last year we are anticipating this year to be just as popular so to ensure we do not run out of beer we are ordering additional beers and ciders to cope with demand, including some from as far north as the Scottish Highlands as well as Wales, Cornwall and Northern Ireland. Several of the beers and ciders will be doubled up to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy their favourite pint. Music is a big part of this event and I can confirm we have again booked an exciting lineup of live bands for Tunbridge Wells West Engine Shed with additional busking at Groombridge and Eridge stations. “Many of the brewers have promised specials for this event, including some keg beers being available in a cask as a one off, wooden barrel aged stouts, award winning beers from years before and of course the famous Kent Green Hop beers, only available at this that time of year.”
50 different breweries will be offering 200+ real ales, including 30+ Kent Green Hop Beers, 14+ Keg Beers and 70+ Ciders. Expect to see Crouch Vale's "Amarillo", the 2024 CAMRA Beer of Britain, Harvey's Prince of Denmark, Kissingate's award-winning Black Cherry Mild, ales from the Orkney Isles, and Isle of Wight, a rare keg beer produced in cask from Moot Brew, a rare New Zealand Pale from Only With Love plus lots more including the odd wooden cask of stout!
The Green Hops beers will come from a variety of breweries in Kent, Sussex, and Surrey including Westerham, Madcat, Northdown (with a Green Hop Stout!), Bexley, and Shivering Sands, plus plenty more from Kent and Sussex. Cider enthusiasts can enjoy at least 70 different varieties this year. There will be extra of the most popular available such as the Sloe Gin Cider which sold out at last year’s festival.
Thanks to the support of Fuggles Beer Café there will be 14 different Keg beers on offer at the festival. Fuller's famous BBQ and the fabulous Thai Food stall will be back at Tunbridge Wells West Station together with other food options including Holly's stunning cakes. A fabulous lineup of trains is expected including the magnificent Bulleid Pacific 34053 'Sir Keith Park', BR Standard 4MT 80078, Caledonian Railway No. 828, Class 25 25185, Class 31 31430 'Sister Dora' and Class 33/0 33063 'R.J.Mitchell'.
Train tickets purchased allow travel as many times as you choose on the day of your visit. You won't go thirsty on the trains either as the buffet bar and bar car 'Kate' will be set up as bars for passengers to enjoy a pint along the 5-mile line between Tunbridge Wells to Eridge. Don’t forget you hop off to enjoy the buskers at Groombridge and Eridge.
Event times:
Thursday 16 - Tunbridge Wells West only. No trains are operating. Bar open from 18:00 to 22:00 Friday 17 and Saturday 18 - All stations open with bars. Trains run from 09:00 to 23:00, and bars open from 11:00 until 22:30. Sunday - All stations open with bars. Trains from 09:00 to 23:00. Bars open from 11:00 until 18:00.
The money raised from this event will help The Spa Valley Railway to raise the £300,000 urgently required for the charity to replace the vital Broom Lane Bridge between High Rocks and Groombridge.
It's easy to reach Tunbridge Wells West Station (where the steam and heritage trains depart) as the station is just round the corner from the famous Pantiles in the Spa Town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. Trains from London and Hastings arrive at Tunbridge Wells mainline station which is only a 10-minute leisurely walk down the historic High Street and across the Pantiles to the Spa. Trains from London also arrive at Eridge station where you can cross the platform to the Spa Valley Railway.
To book trains visit https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/6520/real-ale-cider-festival
To find out more about the Spa Valley Railway and their events, opening times and how to become a volunteer visit www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk
Spa Valley Railway, West Station, Nevill Terrace, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY.
Free entry into beer festival but tickets can be purchased for the steam trains operating throughout the event
Address
14th Real Ale & Cider Festival returns to the Spa Valley Railway in October
Neville Terrace
TN2 5QY
Contact
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