How much does it cost?

From £1,099 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,485 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Ashford are included in Standard or First Class, alongside all the heritage railway rides described in the itinerary.

Yes, an experienced Tour Manager accompanies the group for the full 5 days.

The Hampton by Hilton in Ashford, for all four nights of the tour.

Which heritage railways are included?

Seven: the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, the Bredgar & Wormshill Railway, the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway, the Kent & East Sussex Railway, the Spa Valley Railway, the Bluebell Railway, and the Lavender Line.

When does this tour run?

One departure is listed, in June 2027.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Kent & Sussex Steam Explorer 2027

Five-day steam railway tour of seven heritage lines in Kent and Sussex

Railtrail Tours' Kent & East Sussex Steam Explorer is a 5-day escorted tour based at the Hampton by Hilton in Ashford, with day trips out to seven named heritage railways rather than a moving itinerary. After traveling by train from their home station on Day 1, the group spends Day 2 on the narrow-gauge Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway to Dungeness, followed by exclusive steam charters at the Bredgar & Wormshill and Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railways, including a run-by and depot visit. Day 3 rides behind two steam locomotives on the Kent & East Sussex Railway, with a stop at Rolvenden to see the locomotive works. Day 4 covers the Spa Valley Railway to Eridge, the Bluebell Railway through Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes, and a run on the Lavender Line. A Tour Manager travels with the group throughout, and the operator rates the activity level as Moderate. The trip suits travelers who want a concentrated, guided tour of English steam heritage railways rather than a scenic journey between cities.

What to know before you look closer

Only one departure is listed, in June 2027, so date flexibility is limited.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Hampton by Hilton, Ashford
Ashford
Journey from your home station to Ashford and check in to the Hampton by Hilton Hotel. First evening meal together at the Curious Brewery.
Day 2railovernight: Hampton by Hilton, Ashford
RH&D, Bredgar & Wormshill, Sittingbourne & Kemsley
Steam journey on the narrow-gauge Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway to Dungeness, alighting at New Romney. Afternoon exclusive steam charters at Bredgar & Wormshill Railway and Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railway including a run-by and depot visit.
Day 3railovernight: Hampton by Hilton, Ashford
Kent & East Sussex Railway
Steam-hauled journey to Bodiam with a history talk, alighting at Rolvenden to visit the locomotive works before completing the journey behind a second steam locomotive back to Tenterden.
Day 4railovernight: Hampton by Hilton, Ashford
Spa Valley, Bluebell & Lavender Line
Return journey on the Spa Valley Railway to Eridge, then the Bluebell Railway with time at Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes, finishing with a run on the Lavender Line from Isfield.
Day 5
Homeward Journey
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Ashford and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Steam journey on the narrow-gauge Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway from New Romney to Dungeness and back.
Day 2Exclusive steam charters at the Bredgar & Wormshill Railway and the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Railway, including a run-by and depot visit.
Day 3Ride behind two steam locomotives on the Kent & East Sussex Railway, with a stop at Rolvenden to visit the locomotive works.
Day 4The Bluebell Railway's steam-hauled service runs between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes, followed by a run on the Lavender Line from Isfield.

Included

4 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal
Services of experienced Tour Manager
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,099 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,485 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Ashford are included in Standard or First Class, alongside all the heritage railway rides described in the itinerary.
Is it escorted?: Yes, an experienced Tour Manager accompanies the group for the full 5 days.
What hotel is used?: The Hampton by Hilton in Ashford, for all four nights of the tour.
Which heritage railways are included?: Seven: the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, the Bredgar & Wormshill Railway, the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway, the Kent & East Sussex Railway, the Spa Valley Railway, the Bluebell Railway, and the Lavender Line.
When does this tour run?: One departure is listed, in June 2027.