Join Spa Valley Railway on the local wine trail

HERITAGE railways and real ale festivals have long gone together, but the Tunbridge Wells-based Spa Valley Railway has branched out to a new theme by teaming up with a local wine producer.

Wildwood Vineyard, a familyowned business hidden away near the village of Eridge, produces red, an award-winning white, and rosé still wines, a fizz, and even a newly-launched pink vermouth.

Wine trains will run on June 11, July 30, August 20 and September 10, headed by either steam or heritage diesel, departing from Tunbridge Wells West at 11.55am for a 25-minute journey to the Oxted-Uckfield line station of Eridge, from where it is a short walk to the vineyard. Visitors will be able to enjoy a tour of the winery and tastings before returning to Tunbridge Wells West at 2.05pm.

Local industry

Spa Valley commercial manager Jonnie Pay said: “Enthusiasm for heritage steam and diesel goes hand-in-hand with real ale, and our annual festival has become enormously popular over the years, this year’s in October being our 11th.

“However, we thought it appropriate to recognise that this part of England has become a centre for the country’s wineproducing industry, and we are delighted to team up with a local vineyard. Passengers will be able to enjoy the twin delights of heritage trains and some award-winning wine, and hopefully they will rejoin us in October for our real ale and cider festival.”

Tour and taste

Paul Olding, the vineyard’s owner, said:“We are excited to team up with the Spa Valley for these special event days. Guests will get to travel to our little vineyard in style on the railway, enjoy a tour and tasting of our awardwinning wines, and take the train back through the gorgeous Wealden countryside.”

Train tickets on each of the three days cost £10, while additionally passengers are advised to book wine tours and tastings in advance directly with the vineyard. These cost £9, with just tastings alone priced at £6.