All Aboard for the 16th Real Ale & Cider Festival at the Spa Valley Railway

Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October 2026 – The Spa Valley Railway is preparing to transform its five-mile heritage line into an unmissable celebration of great beer, cider, live music, food and railway travel as the South East’s largest Real Ale & Cider Festival returns to Tunbridge Wells.

Train tickets are now available to book to make a full day of your visit where you can enjoy a drink on the railway’s trains as well as at the stations.

Across four memorable days, visitors can discover around 200 real ales, 40 distinctive Kent Green Hop beers, 14 keg beers and 70 ciders, with festival bars at Tunbridge Wells West, Groombridge and Eridge stations. Heritage trains will link the venues, turning the journey itself into part of the festival experience.

Guests can raise a glass in the atmospheric Victorian Engine Shed, enjoy live bands on the main stage at Tunbridge Wells West, acoustic duos at Groombridge and solo performers at Eridge, and choose from a tempting range of freshly prepared food. With drinks also available on board selected trains, few festivals offer a more unforgettable way to explore new flavours.

Entry to all festival sites is free. The celebrations begin at Tunbridge Wells West at 6pm on Thursday 15 October, with the full three-station festival and heritage train services running from Friday to Sunday. Visitors who want unlimited train travel between the venues can purchase a Rover ticket.

A Festival Like No Other

• Around 200 real ales from breweries across the UK
• 40 Kent Green Hop beers, showcasing the fresh flavours of the county’s hop harvest
• 70 ciders and 14 keg beers, offering something for every taste
• Live music and food across three characterful stations
• Steam and heritage diesel trains through the beautiful High Weald

 

Jonnie Pay, General Manager of the Spa Valley Railway, said: “This is far more than a beer festival – it is a journey through great flavours, live entertainment and railway heritage. Visitors can step aboard a train, travel between three lively festival venues and discover an extraordinary choice of drinks, all against the beautiful backdrop of the High Weald. Whether you are a dedicated ale enthusiast, a cider lover or simply looking for a brilliant day out with friends and family, this is an October date not to miss.

We would also like to thank Royal Tunbridge Wells Together for its continued support and generous contribution towards marketing this annual event.”

The festival’s scale and setting make it one of the country’s most distinctive autumn events: a place to compare classic bitters, bold stouts, refreshing pales, modern craft pours and an exceptional range of ciders while travelling through the Kent and Sussex countryside.

The Home of Kent Green Hop Beer

A major highlight will be one of the country’s largest gatherings of Kent Green Hop beers. Brewed with freshly harvested hops from Kent’s hop gardens, these seasonal beers deliver exceptionally fresh aromas and flavours that can only be enjoyed for a limited period around harvest time.

For seasoned beer explorers and curious newcomers alike, the festival is a rare chance to taste the hop harvest at its freshest, meet friends, enjoy the music and experience a heritage railway in full festival spirit.

Three Stations, One Unforgettable Journey

Festival entry is free, so visitors can simply arrive, purchase a festival glass and start exploring. Rover tickets for unlimited heritage train travel throughout the day can be booked in advance or purchased at the stations. Full event details, opening times and train tickets are available at https://spavalleyrailway.co.uk/events/real-ale-cider-festival/

Visitors are encouraged to plan their journey, allow plenty of time to explore all three stations and enjoy the festival responsibly. Card-carrying CAMRA members can receive a 25% discount on train travel when purchasing at a ticket office.

Booking Information

Make a date for Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October 2026 and discover why this spectacular line-side celebration has become a landmark in the South East’s festival calendar. For the latest information and to book train tickets, visit https://spavalleyrailway.co.uk/events/real-ale-cider-festival/

Contact Details

Spa Valley Railway, West Station, Nevill Terrace, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY.

Notes to Editors

Tunbridge Wells West Station is easily accessible, just moments from the renowned Pantiles in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Visitors arriving from London and Hastings can reach Tunbridge Wells mainline station and enjoy a short ten-minute walk through the historic High Street and Pantiles to the Spa. Trains from London also stop at Eridge station, providing a convenient platform transfer to the Spa Valley Railway.

What to see at each Station

• Tunbridge Wells: Explore the celebrated Spa town, featuring various pubs, interesting and historic architecture, restaurants, and the world-famous Pantiles.
• High Rocks: Visit the High Rocks Inn and the impressive High Rocks formation. Please note, under-18s must be accompanied when visiting the rocks.
• Groombridge: Enjoy refreshments at the Junction Inn or Crown Inn.
• Eridge: The Huntsman Pub is available for a meal or drink.