The 12th Real Ale & Cider Festival at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells – October 2023
This year’s event in association with West Kent CAMRA will take place between 19 and 22 October 2023 at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells. The event is the South East’s original Railway Beer Festival and has also been supported by the Royal Tunbridge Wells Together Business Improvement District.
Entry to the stations is FREE on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and there is no charge to access the festival sites at Tunbridge Wells West, Groombridge or Eridge but tickets are required for train travel. Steam and Heritage Diesel trains will be operating on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
160 real ales and 50 ciders will be available and these will be perfectly complimented by live entertainment at Tunbridge Wells West and local food stalls offering tasty food options.
The main “Real Ale & Cider bar” will be at Tunbridge Wells West and additional bars can be found at Groombridge, Eridge and on two of the three trains in operation.
Entry into the main festival at Tunbridge Wells West is FREE on Friday 20th, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October. On arrival at the Victorian Engine Shed starter packs will be available to purchase which include a glass, beer card and event guide. Food and train travel cannot be purchased with the beer card.
Train tickets are now on sale for anyone wishing to enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of steam between Friday and Sunday as the magnificent steam locomotives Caledonian Railway No. 828, Hunslet Austerity and No. 2890 ‘Douglas’ with be taking passengers between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge. Heritage diesel Class 25 D7535 will also be operating alongside others from the home fleet.
Event Opening Times: Thursday 19th October: 18:00 to 22:00 (Tunbridge Wells West only, no trains are operating, £5 entry fee applies)
Friday 20th October: Trains from 09:00 until 22:30, Tunbridge Wells West bar: 11:00 until 22:30, Groombridge bar: 11:00 until 20:30, Eridge bar: 11:00 until 21:30
Saturday 21st October: Trains from 09:00 until 22:30, Tunbridge Wells West bar 11:00 until 22:30, Groombridge bar 11:00 until 20:30, Eridge bar 11:00 until 21:30
Sunday 22nd October: Trains from 09:00 until 17:30, Tunbridge Wells West bar 11:00 until 18:00, Groombridge bar 11:00 until 16:00, Eridge bar 11:00 until 16:00
There will be live music from early afternoon until close of the event on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Food Stalls at Tunbridge Wells West: Fullers Butcher BBQ, Thai Food Stand and the Cheese Shop Tunbridge Wells. Catering kiosks will be open at Groombridge and Eridge selling a selection of sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, crisps, chocolate and other light refreshments.