All aboard! The Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway is one of the town’s best-loved family days out — a chance to ride behind charming one-eighth-scale steam and diesel locomotives as they wind nearly a mile around a lakeside country park. Add a maze, crazy golf, playgrounds and a café serving cream teas, and it’s a wholesome, great-value outing, especially for families with young children. Here’s everything you need to know.
All aboard the miniature railway
The star of the show is, of course, the railway itself. Run by the Wadey family since it first opened in 1992, it features their famous one-eighth-scale ride-on locomotives — both steam and diesel — which carry you on a gentle journey of nearly a mile around a pretty lake. Trains set off from a proper little station, complete with turntable, signal box, footbridge and locomotive shed, and along the way you’ll trundle through a tunnel and rattle across a girder bridge. It’s a genuine delight for train lovers of every age, and some of the locomotives are even built on site.
Local tip: steam and diesel locomotives don’t run every day, so if your little one has their heart set on a puffing steam engine rather than a diesel, it’s worth checking which is scheduled before you set off.
More than just trains
What makes this such a good day out is how much there is to do beyond the tracks. Children can burn off energy in the adventure playground — with a separate area for under-fives — then take on the maze, have a go at the railway-themed crazy golf, and wander through ‘Grandma’s Garden’. Indoors and around the site you’ll also find model railways to admire and a Railway Gift Shop stocked with toys and souvenirs. Reviewers consistently praise how well maintained and thoughtfully laid out everything is.
The lake and country park
The whole attraction is set around a peaceful five-acre lake within a small country park, so there’s plenty of space simply to stroll, relax and spot the wildlife that makes its home around the water. A gentle nature walk circles the lake, and there are picnic areas dotted about if you’d like to bring your own lunch and make an afternoon of it. It’s a surprisingly green and calming spot for somewhere so close to town.
The café and tea gardens
When it’s time for a rest, the railway-style café and its prize-winning tea gardens serve hot and cold drinks, light lunches and — of course — a proper cream tea. With the picnic areas alongside, there’s no shortage of places to sit, refuel and watch the trains go by.
Tickets and opening times
The park is open daily from late March through to the beginning of November, typically from 10am to 5pm, with additional weekend and half-term opening in October. Admission includes a train ride, and you can usually choose between a single-journey ticket and an unlimited-rides option, with under-3s admitted free. For regular visitors there are annual passes and memberships offering unlimited entry and discounted rides. Booking online is generally cheaper than paying at the gate, though you can also simply turn up — and as prices and dates change from season to season, it’s always best to check the official website before you go.
Getting there and good to know
You’ll find the railway on Lottbridge Drove, on the eastern side of Eastbourne not far from Sovereign Harbour, about a ten-minute drive from the town centre. There’s free parking on site, and the flat, pushchair-friendly paths make it an easy and accessible visit for all the family. Half a day is plenty to see everything, though with a picnic and good weather you could happily stretch it out longer.
Good to know: dogs aren’t allowed on site, parking is free, and the paths are flat and buggy-friendly throughout.
Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway: FAQs
What is the Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway?
It’s a family-run adventure park based around a miniature ride-on railway, where one-eighth-scale steam and diesel trains carry passengers nearly a mile around a lakeside country park, with playgrounds, a maze, crazy golf and a café too.
Where is it and how do I get there?
It’s on Lottbridge Drove, BN23 6QJ, on the eastern side of Eastbourne near Sovereign Harbour — about a ten-minute drive from the town centre, with free parking on site.
When is it open?
Daily from late March to the start of November, usually 10am to 5pm, plus weekends and half-term in October. Check the website for exact dates each season.
How much does it cost and do I need to book?
Admission includes a train ride, with single-ride and unlimited-ride options and free entry for under-3s. You can book online (usually cheaper) or just turn up. Annual passes are available for regular visitors.
Is it steam or diesel, and is it good for young children?
Both steam and diesel locomotives run, though not every day, so check ahead if you want steam. It’s ideal for families with young children, with flat, buggy-friendly paths and plenty for little ones to do.
A firm favourite for families visiting Eastbourne. Find more ideas in our guide to the best things to do in Eastbourne, and combine it with a trip to nearby Sovereign Harbour.