The Dinosaur Express!
ROAR into an unforgettable family adventure this summer as prehistoric giants return to the Spa Valley Railway!
The dinosaurs may have disappeared from Earth over 66 million years ago, but this summer they’re making a spectacular comeback at the Spa Valley Railway — and to celebrate, all children aged 0–15 travel FREE!
Step aboard one of our heritage steam or diesel-hauled trains and prepare for a Jurassic journey like no other. With the help of their expert rangers, you’ll come face-to-face with an exciting collection of incredibly realistic dinosaurs, from towering prehistoric predators to adorable baby dinosaurs. It’s a thrilling opportunity for young explorers and dinosaur enthusiasts to get closer than ever before to these magnificent creatures.
Throughout the day, a variety of dinosaurs will be making special appearances at Tunbridge Wells West station, where families can meet, interact with, and learn about these fascinating beasts. The dinosaurs will appear for regular 20-minute appearances, giving everyone plenty of opportunities to enjoy the prehistoric fun.
And the adventure doesn’t stop there! Keep your eyes peeled during your train journey, as a baby dinosaur will be roaming through the train, meeting passengers and posing for photos along the way.
Travel through the beautiful High Weald countryside aboard our authentic 1960s heritage carriages, hauled by one of our magnificent steam or heritage diesel locomotives. As you journey through this ancient landscape, you might wonder: did dinosaurs once roam these very hills and valleys millions of years ago?
Whether you’re a budding palaeontologist, a lifelong dinosaur fan, or simply looking for a fantastic family day out, The Dinosaur Express combines the excitement of dinosaurs with the magic of heritage rail travel for an experience you’ll never forget.
🦖 Meet life-like dinosaurs
🚂 Ride heritage steam and diesel trains
🦕 Get up close with roaming baby dinosaurs
👨👩👧👦 Children aged 0–15 travel FREE
📸 Perfect for family photos and memories
Book your tickets now and join us for a prehistoric adventure that’s millions of years in the making! 🦖🚂✨
Dinosaur Apperance Times:
The dinosaurs will appear at Tunbridge Wells West at the following times on Sunday:
- 11:45 – Velociraptor
- 12:45 – Teenage Dinosaur
- 13:45 – Velociraptor
- 14:30 – Teenage Dinosaur
- 15:00 – Velociraptor
- 15:30 – Teenage Dinosaur
During your train ride, you’ll get to meet the Baby Dinosaur, too!
Teenage Dinosaur!
Get ready for some truly unforgettable encounters as you come face-to-face with this incredible prehistoric creature and its expert keeper. Watch in amazement as it blinks, turns its head, opens its enormous jaws, and reveals a mouth full of fearsome teeth. With lifelike movements and realistic sounds, you'll feel as though you've stepped back millions of years in time.
There will be plenty of opportunities to get up close, snap the perfect photograph, and create memories the whole family will treasure. Just one word of warning – if you're holding a tasty snack, keep a close eye on it! Our hungry dinosaur is always on the lookout for its next meal, and your lunch might look just a little too tempting...
Perfect for budding palaeontologists, dinosaur enthusiasts, and adventurous families alike, this interactive experience is guaranteed to be one of the highlights of your day on The Dinosaur Express! 🦖📸✨
Velociraptor!
Join its keeper for a thrilling up-close encounter and discover what made Velociraptors some of the most fascinating hunters of the dinosaur world. Watch as it stalks, sniffs, blinks and interacts with guests, bringing the age of the dinosaurs vividly to life before your eyes.
There'll be plenty of opportunities to pose for photos with this remarkable creature, making for a truly unforgettable souvenir of your day on The Dinosaur Express.
Just one piece of advice: keep a firm hold of your sandwiches and snacks! Whilst our Velociraptor is usually very well behaved, you never know when it might get a little peckish and decide your lunch looks tastier than its own... 🦖📸🥪
Don't miss your chance to come face-to-face with one of the most famous dinosaurs of all time!
Take a steam train ride too!
What to see and do along the line?
Tunbridge Wells West
Since 1606 visitors have been coming to Royal Tunbridge Wells to experience the Chalbeayte Spring.
Its chance discovery by Lord North, who was returning to London after a three month stay in the county, lead to the growth of Royal Tunbridge Wells and also the famous Pantiles.
High Rocks Station
The smallest but probably the most picturesque station on our line, built from scratch and opened in 1998 following the closure of the original halt in the 50s, serves the fantastic High Rocks themselves and the delightful Inn.
*Please check with High Rocks Inn to see if they are open when you are visiting.
Groombridge Station
Groombridge is our principal intermediate station and you can alight here to visit this historic village. It is also possible to walk to Harrisons Rocks where you can see the trains passing by on days we’re operating to Eridge, and if cycling, to get to the Forest Way
READ MORE
Eridge Station
Eridge makes the ideal starting point for a trip along the line. You can arrive by Southern Railway from London or Uckfield, or turn straight off the A26 road between Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells. Look out for the mainline station signs! Eridge has a 100-space car park. The car park operator uses an app to pay and charges all day, seven days a week, but it is cheaper than most town centre alternatives. There is free parking on the road outside the station.
READ MOREBooking Information
Advance booking is not essential for standard travel. You can if you wish purchase tickets from our stations on the day of your visit. Seating is not guaranteed for those who book online or on the day.
On the day of travel, please have your e-ticket ready for inspection, either printed or displayed on a mobile device. A member of our team will check tickets before boarding.
Please be aware that we are unable to offer refunds or transfers for customers who do not attend their booked event. As the Spa Valley Railway incurs costs for all confirmed bookings, these charges cannot be recovered. We recommend that customers consider appropriate travel or event insurance where necessary. Any re-booking will be subject to purchasing a new ticket at the full advertised fare.
TicketProtect is available for your order
We strongly recommend that you include this option, as your tickets are non-refundable. Adding TicketProtect will protect you against cancellations due to accidents, travel disruption on the way to the railway, and unexpected illnesses preventing you from attending. By adding it to your basket, you confirm that you have read and accept the TicketProtect Terms & Conditions, which we advise you to retain.
This protection is offered in-house by the Wealden Railway Company Limited, trading as the Spa Valley Railway and is only valid when purchased at the same time as your ticket(s). It is not an insurance policy.
Please note: you must take out TicketProtect for all tickets at the time of booking. Should you need to make a claim for one of the above examples, you can do so by emailing us at [email protected].
Wheelchair Users
If you require wheelchair access, please contact us at [email protected] before making your journey. This will allow us to ensure the appropriate space is reserved for you on the train.
Dogs
All well behaved dogs are permitted to travel free of charge on our trains, however, they must be kept clear of the aisle and are not permitted to travel in dining or bar carriages (unless they are assistance dogs).
Changes to bookings
A £10 administration fee applies to all booking alterations.
Alternative Products & Images
- There is no alternative to the advertised product.
- Images are for illustration purposes only; the actual product may vary.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR REFUND, CANCELLATION AND ALTERATIONS POLICY.
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