Press Release
12 October 2011

New 2012 Group Tour
for the Kent & East Sussex Railway

The Kent & East Sussex Railway has teamed up with the internationally renowned rocking horse builders, Stevenson Brothers, to offer a new tour in 2012 called the Reins and Trains experience.

The day will begin with an exclusive glimpse into the world of Stevenson Brothers, at their workshops in Bethersden. Since 1982, twin brothers Marc and Tony have striven to ensure the survival of the unique skills required to make their beautiful rocking horses.

Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the workshop and showroom and see antique horses being restored in the 'Rocking Horse Hospital', horses being painted and fitted with their leather tack and a view of the saddler making her beautiful miniature saddles and bridles. There's even a hairdressing salon, where the horse hair manes and tails are made.

It is then only a short trip on your coach to Tenterden to board the 1.15pm steam train. During the leisurely 21-mile round trip you'll enjoy a ploughmans lunch at reserved tables. Returning at 3.05pm you may choose to visit the many shops that line the town's picturesque high street or simply re-join your coach for the journey home.

The price for this all inclusive tour will be £23.95.

Other tours on offer in conjunction with The Kent & East Sussex Railway include Teas, Toys and Trains. Starting at Tenterden station and alighting half an hour later at Northiam station groups will enter a breath-taking world in miniature at The Mill Toy & Pedal Car Museum.

The Gardens and Guards tour is an opportunity to enjoy an exclusive tour of Great Dixter House and its superb gardens followed by a cream tea aboard a steam hauled train on The Kent & East Sussex Railway.

The Rails and Ramparts tour takes you on a return steam train journey through the beautiful High Weald to one of the most famous and evocative castles in Britain, Bodiam Castle.

For a laid back tour take the Vines, Wines and Railway Lines tour. Groups arrive at Biddenden Vineyards for a ploughmans lunch served with a glass of wine in the fascinating surroundings of Kent's Oldest Vineyards before taking a tour of the vineyards and winery to see how the wines, traditional Kentish ciders and juices are produced. At 2.40 take the short journey to Tenterden station for the 3.30pm departure.

The Cream and Steam Away tour at Chapel Down Winery includes a cream tea and a guided tour of the vineyard and winery followed by wine tasting and a visit to the wine and fine food store. Browse amongst the unique shops lining Tenterden high street in the afternoon before taking the 3.30pm departure through the Rother Valley to Bodiam where your coach will meet you.

For other catering options either on board or at individual locations please contact the railway 01580 765155.

For more information please visit www.kesr.org.uk

For press enquiries or image requests please contact Caroline Edmunds at Pennington PR on 01892 616647 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it