Railway Experiences and Days Out

East Kent Railway is best suited to relaxed family visits, short heritage train rides, Kent industrial history, visitor centre stops and countryside railway days out from Dover, Canterbury, Maidstone, Gillingham and Hastings.

Family Day Out

Shepherdswell to Eythorne Heritage Train Ride

Start at Shepherdswell, ride the heritage railway through East Kent countryside towards Eythorne, and enjoy a compact railway visit with strong family appeal.

Best for families and short Kent railway trips

Official Railway Website

Visitor Centre & Walks

Visitor Centre, Café and Woodland Walks

Make the visit fuller by exploring the visitor centre, café, museum interest and woodland walks around the Shepherdswell railway site.

Best for relaxed heritage visits

Official Opening Times

Why East Kent Railway Is Special

East Kent Railway is special because it preserves part of East Kent’s industrial railway story while offering an accessible, family-friendly heritage railway experience at Shepherdswell.

• Kent Coalfield history
  The original railway was constructed between 1911 and 1917 to serve the Kent Coalfield, giving the line a distinctive industrial background.
• Shepherdswell visitor base
  Station Road, Shepherdswell is the main starting point, with visitor centre, café and railway facilities.
• Woodland walks
  The railway offers woodland walks that help turn a short train ride into a wider family day out.
• Strong Kent cluster value
  For Rail Away Days, East Kent Railway supports Maidstone, Gillingham, Hastings, Canterbury, Dover and wider Kent railway searches.

How to Plan Your Day on East Kent Railway

The easiest way to plan a visit is to start at Shepherdswell Station Road, check the official operating dates, ride the heritage train and allow time for the visitor centre, café and woodland walks.

• Start at Shepherdswell
  The railway is based at Station Road, Shepherdswell, Dover, CT15 7PD.
• Check operating days
  Services are seasonal and event-led, so check the official railway website before travelling.
• Allow time for facilities
  The visitor centre, café, museum interest and woodland walks give the site extra day-out value.
• Combine with East Kent
  The railway is useful for wider Dover, Canterbury, Deal, Sandwich and White Cliffs country itineraries.

About East Kent Railway

East Kent Railway is a preserved heritage railway at Shepherdswell near Dover. The original East Kent Railway was built between 1911 and 1917 to serve the growth of the Kent Coalfield, and the preserved railway now celebrates that local industrial railway story.

Today, visitors can enjoy heritage train rides between Shepherdswell and Eythorne, restored trains, a visitor centre, café, woodland walks and family-friendly facilities.

Why railway enthusiasts rate it

• Industrial railway background
  The line has a distinctive coalfield and Colonel Stephens light railway character.
• Heritage diesel interest
  East Kent Railway is especially useful for visitors who enjoy diesel-era and industrial railway preservation.
• Short but characterful route
  The route is compact, but it includes countryside, chalk cutting character and East Kent railway history.
• Shepherdswell and Eythorne identity
  The two-station structure gives the railway a clear and manageable visitor experience.

Route, Stations and Highlights

East Kent Railway operates from Shepherdswell towards Eythorne, with visitor facilities focused around the Shepherdswell site.

• Shepherdswell Station
  The main visitor base, address and best starting point for most visitors.
• Eythorne Station
  A countryside station stop in the village of Eythorne.
• Visitor Centre
  A family-friendly attraction near the platforms at Shepherdswell.
• Café
  A useful facility for turning the railway ride into a relaxed visit.
• Woodland Walks
  The railway’s woodland setting adds extra visitor appeal, especially for families.

Best Time to Visit East Kent Railway

• Operating Sundays and event days
  Best for train rides and a fuller railway atmosphere.
• Spring and summer
  Best for woodland walks, family trips and combining the railway with East Kent countryside.
• School holidays
  Good for families searching for Kent railway days out near Dover, Canterbury, Maidstone or Medway.
• Special events
  Best for extra activities, themed days and a stronger visitor-centre experience.

Looking for More Train Experiences?

East Kent Railway is a strong compact railway day out for East Kent. For longer countryside steam railway trips nearby, compare it with Kent & East Sussex Railway, Spa Valley Railway and Bluebell Railway.

Plan Your Visit

• Main station: Shepherdswell Station / East Kent Railway base
• Location: Station Road, Shepherdswell, Dover, Kent
• Postcode: CT15 7PD
• Railway type: Standard gauge heritage railway
• Main route: Shepherdswell to Eythorne
• Nearby places: Dover, Canterbury, Deal, Sandwich, Folkestone, Maidstone, Gillingham and Hastings
• Typical visit style: Short heritage train ride, visitor centre, café, museum interest and woodland walks.
• Best fit: Families, Kent visitors, industrial heritage fans, railway enthusiasts and relaxed countryside day-out planners.

Other Rail Away Days Guides

Continue planning your railway day out with more Rail Away Days guides and experience pages.

Frequently Asked Questions