Name: Colne Valley Railway
Rating: 5.0

Colne Valley Railway

Colne Valley Railway, Yeldham Road, Castle Hedingham, Colne CO9 3DZ, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

Description

The Colne Valley Railway is a heritage steam & diesel railway in Essex near Sible Hedingham, Castle Hedingham & Halstead. As well as train rides on the full size railway, we also have a 7¼ gauge miniature railway and a large model railway. Additionally, we host one of the few publicly accessible signal boxes across the country.

Sample the atmosphere and take a ride on an award winning period country railway. A pretty line, almost a mile long, with relocated station buildings, signal boxes and bridges all lovingly restored and rebuilt. A large and varied collection of vintage steam and diesel engines, carriages and wagons that represent much of our railway heritage.

Prices starts from £12.00 for adults, £6.00 for Child(age 3-15) and £33.00 for Family. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Full Size Demonstration Train Ride: For our mainline train ride, you board one of our restored railway coaches (or open wagon on some summer open days) at our station. The train takes you for about 1/2 a mile towards the village of Castle Hedingham, over and alongside the River Colne to a loop named Nunnery Junction. The journey then resumes for a non stop run through our station and past our restoration areas, to a second loop named Drawell. You are then returned to our station. The total line length is just under 1 mile and there is only the one station complex.
Miniature Railway: The miniature railway runs from the Colne Valley Railway shop and then alongside the main railway. The miniature railway has a variety of locomotives in use including steam and electric. The railway runs on most normal operating days dependant on the weather and staff availability. Visitors can have unlimited rides which are included in the entrance fee.
The Tierney Model Railway: Located behind the signal box, this houses a large (10m x 5m) 00-gauge layout, donated to the railway by the family of Mr John Tierney of Great Dunmow, shortly after his death in 2007. It was quickly dismantled and stored, whilst the location for the new building was agreed, planning permission sought, and new foundations created. The Shed itself was rebuilt and extended to make room for public access during 2010. The Model Railway was formally opened on the 4th June 2010.
Brewster Centre Museum: The Brewster Centre is where you can learn about the history of the railway and the lives of the people who worked on it, used it and lived close by, Through displays you will see how the communities of the Upper Colne Valley were transformed by the arrival of the railway.
Plotlands Cottage: In the early 20th Century people were able to purchase a small piece of land and construct a building on it. These developments became known as Plotlands. At the same time the railway companies were upgrading their coaches and selling off the coach bodies at little cost. A number of such coaches were purchased by Plotlands owners to become their country retreat.
Hedingham Signalbox: This working Signal box is open for visitors on most operational days, but please be patient if the signalling staff are busy.
Woodland Walk: The Woodland Walk that is adjacent to, and accessed via the railway will be open usually between early May until the end of September but will be closed if ground conditions are unsuitable for visitors using normal foot-ware. A nature trail quiz is available for our little and not so little guests.
Post Office Sorting Carriage: The Post Office Sorting Carriage is located on Platform 1 and has near level access (one small step) for all our visitors. Try your hand at sorting letters as the travelling postmen used to do.
Fun & Games Room: Our fun and games room is situated behind the station building on platform 2. Here, our younger visitors can discover a range of railway themed activities.
Station Shop: Open on all operational days, stocking a wide selection of souvenirs, books, jigsaws and confectionery. There is also a small second-hand books section. The shop doubles as ticket office, and is located at our Site Entrance.
HST Buffet Car: The HST Buffet Car is situated in the bay platform 3 and are former vehicles from the Intercity 125 train. Currently the buffet serves hot and cold food including cream teas and alcoholic beverages. Pre-booked parties can be catered for by contacting the railway in advance and our plush coach can be hired out for events.

Facilities

Parking: Free parking for nearly 200 cars.
Food & Drinks: Refreshments available (& buffet open some days).
Toilets: Toilets are provided near to our main entrance. A disabled access toilet is also located in the museum.
Dogs: Well behaved dogs are welcome at the Colne Valley Railway but for the enjoyment of all our visitors we ask that dog owners are respectful and considerate. We therefore ask that all dogs are kept on short leads and owners clear up after their dogs.

What to see

Special Events:

Kids for a Quid this February Half Term: A Cheap Half-Term Activity the Whole Family Will Enjoy. Kids travel for just £1 instead of £6.
50 YEARS OF HSTS - 43023 Naming: On Saturday 28th March, we’re celebrating 50 years of the High Speed Train and naming 43023, with a full day of HST running.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult: £12.00
Child (age 3-15): £6.00
Infant (under 3): Free
Family (2 Adults & 3 Children): £33.00
Senior Citizen (over 65): £9.00

Season Tickets:

Adult: £ 36.00
Child (3-15) £18
Family (2 adults and 3 children) £99.00
Concession (65+) £28.00
Joint concession: £50

For Membership information please visit: https://www.colnevalleyrailway.co.uk/membership/

For more information please visit: https://colnevalley.hops.org.uk/tickets/regular-travel-options/dmu

Pricing URL: https://colnevalley.hops.org.uk/tickets/regular-travel-options/dmu

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Our site opens at 10:30am most days, last entry is at 3pm, and the site closes around 5pm (though this varies from time to time, so please check event details).

For more information please check here: https://www.colnevalleyrailway.co.uk/timetable/

Address: Colne Valley Railway, Yeldham Road, Castle Hedingham, Colne CO9 3DZ, UK

Post Code: CO9 3DZ

Council: Braintree

County: Essex

From London:

Take the M11 leaving at Junction 8 taking the A120 East bound to Braintree, or take the A12 to Witham, first exit into town centre, left at second traffic lights in town centre on to the B1018 to Braintree
At Braintree you automatically join the bypass whichever route you take. Keep on the bypass following the signs for Sudbury. Leave the bypass on the A131 Sudbury road, which is also the A1017 Haverhill road.
One mile after the Braintree bypass leave the A131 taking the A1017 Haverhill road. Keep on the A1017 through Gosfield, Sible Hedingham, and passed the village of Castle Hedingham (do not turn into the village).
The entrance to the Railway is on the right hand side of the A1017 about half a mile past the village of Castle Hedingham. The Railway is 9 miles from Braintree. Allow 15 minutes journey time.

From Chelmsford:
Take the A131 to Braintree bypass.

From Colchester:

Take the A1124 to Halstead. Keep on the A1124 to Sible Hedingham where you meet the A1017, turn right through Sible Hedingham keeping on the A1017 (do not turn into the village of Castle Hedingham). Entrance to the Railway is on the right hand side between Castle Hedingham and Great Yeldham.
From Ipswich:
Leave Ipswich on the A1071 Hadleigh to Sudbury Road. In Sudbury follow the signs for Chelmsford on the A131. 1 Mile from Sudbury on the A131 is the village of Bulmer Tye, turn right onto the B1058 Hedingham Road.
In Castle Hedingham (7 miles from Sudbury) follow the brown and white tourist signs to the Railway which is about half a mile outside the village on the A1017 Hedingham to Yeldham Road.

From Cambridge:
Take the A1307 to Haverhill, at Haverhill bypass join the A1017 to Halstead. Keep on the A1017 for ten miles, after you pass through the village of Great Yeldham and leave the 40mph limit the Railway entrance is about one mile on the left passed the main site.