Dean Forest Railway
Ride the heritage railway through the stunning Forest of Dean
Get tickets now for a great day out at Dean Forest Railway! The beautiful 4.5-mile route winds through picturesque woodlands and countryside, providing a tranquil journey reminiscent of a classic country branch line.
With five stations along the way, you can explore the local area, enjoy woodland walks, visit charming country pubs, or head down to the Severn estuary to discover Lydney Harbour and its stunning views across the Severn!
Highlights of your Dean Forest Railway visit
- Take a moment during your visit to the Dean Forest Railway to explore their well-stocked museum, which specializes in artifacts from the Forest of Dean and the Severn & Wye joint railway.
- See the different kinds of locomotives and learn about how they work to get you around the country!
- Visit the historical St. Mary’s Footbridge. Historic England describes the bridge as “a very complete survival, elegant and of great economy in engineering design.” The Listed Building Consent permitted the bridge, originally constructed in kit form, to be dismantled and moved to a secure workshop for restoration. Even when dismantled, the individual elements of the listed bridge retained their listed status!
- If you're travelling with your little ones, why not grab one of the fun Explorer books! These are fun-packed activity books with quizzes & more that'll keep your young ones entertained all day!
Experiences to book at Dean Forest Railway:
- Steam Day Rover Railway Experience: This experience is absolutely perfect for those who want to take their day out on this heritage railway at their own pace. With gorgeous walks at pretty much every stop, it's a lovely way to explore the area and you can even stop at a few country pubs along the way!
- Steam Train Ride: Your journey begins at Norchard Station, travelling south to Lydney Junction. There you will enjoy a 20-minute break while the engine runs round. Here you'll have your chance to see the locomotives close up, and the operation of the level crossing gates and the ‘run round’ procedures!
Don't miss out on this fantastic day out of heritage and nature, get your tickets now and have them delivered instantly via email and SMS!
Steam Day Rover Railway Experience - All-Day Ticket
This is perfect for those on a day out in the area and want to explore the railway at their own pace - the Heritage Diesel Railcar is also included!
Steam Train Ride - Dean Forest Railway
Dean Forest Railway's most popular steam train ride - perfect for people of all ages! Book your tickets now
Norchard Station,
Forest Road,
Lydney,
Glos GL15 4ET
How to get here
Rail
The Dean Forest Railway’s Lydney Junction station is less than a 5-minute walk away from the mainline Lydney station. Through trains run to Lydney from Birmingham, Nottingham, Derby, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Chepstow, Newport, Cardiff and Bridgend, operated by either Arriva Trains Wales or Cross Country Trains.
Please note that all timed tickets (such as ‘Steam Train Ride’ tickets) are from Norchard Station – if you had wanted to arrive by train and board at Lydney Junction you would need to purchase a day rover ticket (please check availability of day rovers before coming, as on busier days, such as Wednesdays during the summer, they may not be available).
Bus
On weekdays, there is a bus approximately every hour from Gloucester and Coleford to Norchard Station (GL15 4ET), with a limited service on Sundays. From Chepstow, there is a service Mon. – Fri to Lydney. There are also local buses on weekdays from Cinderford.
Road
The Dean Forest Railway’s headquarters, Norchard, is situated just outside Lydney on the B4234 Forest Road between Lydney and Whitecroft. Postcode GL15 4ET. Follow the brown tourist signs. Free parking for cars and coaches is only available at Norchard. No designated parking elsewhere.
- Toilets
- Café - refreshments are available from Whistles Café on Platform 2
- Free parking for cars and coaches is only available at Norchard. No designated parking elsewhere
- The Dean Forest Railway also have a shop and museum as well, which are open all day at Norchard Station
- Stations and steam trains are fully wheelchair accessible
- Dogs allowed on certain railway experiences only - check information on page
People also ask
- How long is the Dean Forest Railway?
Dean Forest Railway is 4 1/2 miles long and runs through beautiful woodland and countryside, giving you the chance to experience the pace of a typical country branch line.
- Are dogs allowed on Dean Forest Railway?
Yes! dogs are allowed to ride on the steam-powered trains on an all-day ticket.
- Where is Polar Express train ride UK?