Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Type: Steam Railway

A visit to The Award-Winning Isle of Wight Steam Railway will engage, inspire and excite you ... Equally appealing to adults and families or coach parties and groups, the sight of powerful majestic steam engines, the charm of quiet rural stations, and the friendliness of traditionally uniformed staff, will leave you with some enduring memories of a special day out.

Step back to a bygone era when steam power was the order of the day. Breathe in the evocative smells of a real steam railway, while your eyes and ears thrill to the puffing and hissing of the steam engine. Settle back in beautifully restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages and enjoy a unique view of some of the Island’s unspoilt countryside ... or hop off at one of our stations and just watch the trains go by!

We are one of Britain’s Heritage Railways and a registered educational charity, and we have often been recognised with awards and commendations. The IW Steam Railway has three times been named Independent Railway of the Year, and in 2010 the Railway was recognised nationally, winning the Best Heritage Project in the televised National Lottery Awards.

2011 is the Railway’s 40th Anniversary year, so we’ll be staging a number of special events when the steam trains provide the perfect centrepiece for us to put on something extra – From ‘The 1940s Experience’ to ‘A Day Out With Thomas’, there’s also a Jazz Festival, steam galas, Wine and Real Ale Festivals, and a Steam and Country Show.

To complete your day out, The Isle of Wight Steam Railway offers a large car and coach park, fully licensed Refreshment Rooms, museum, and you can browse for books, gifts, toys, DVDs and other mementoes from the newly refurbished Gift Shop.

The pleasant rural location of our main station at Havenstreet provides lots of space for the young, and the not-so-young, to let off steam! Our large 3 acre field offers space for picnics, games or just relaxing, and we challenge you to find the entrance to our hidden Woodland Walk!

In essence, the IW Steam Railway offers a unique and exciting journey back in time to an era when everyone travelled by steam train … Even Queen Victoria travelled over our line while visiting her Island residence at Osborne!

AWARDS:
* Visit England – VAQAS Accreditation - ‘Quality Assured Visitor Attraction’ - 2010.
* Code of Practice - 2010.
* The National Lottery Awards 2010 – Winner – Best Heritage Project.
* Outstanding Customer Service Highly Commended - 2010.
* IW Chamber of Commerce Industry & Tourism – Tourism and Leisure Business of the Year - Highly Commended - 2009.

Telephone – 01983 882204 or visit www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk for more information, including full details of train times, fares and special events.

OPENING TIMES: Trains operate on the following days:
February – Half-term week (21st to 25th Feb).
March – Sundays & Thursday (from 17th).
April – Sunday 3rd, Wednesday 6th & Thursday 7th, then every day from 10th to 30th April (except 15th & 16th).
May - Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday during May plus daily over both Bank Holiday Weekends.
June - Daily (except 10th and 11th June).
July – Daily.
August – Daily.
September – Daily.
October - Every Sunday, Wednesday & Thursday, and daily during Half-term from 23rd to 28th.
November - Every Sunday & Thursday.
December – 3rd & 4th, 10th & 11th, 17th & 18th, then daily 21st to 28th (except Christmas Day) and 31st.

SPECIAL EVENTS 2011 - For more information on the special events including 40th Anniversary events please visit www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/special-events.html

TICKET INFORMATION - please note:
* Family Tickets - Available for two adults and two children travelling together.
* Infant Tickets - These are subject to a maximum of two infants per fare-paying adult. Otherwise carried at child rate.
* Dogs - Must be kept on a short lead at all times. Conveyed subject to the safety and comfort of other passengers, and at the Railway’s discretion.
* Site Admission - Charges vary for some Special Events.
* Group Visits - We offer Groups of 10 or more persons reduced rates if booked in advance. School and pre-school parties are welcome and special fares are available, together with educational packs. For more details please contact liz.king@iwsteamrailway.co.uk. We also welcome enquiries from Coach Operators and Drivers.
* General Information - Charges may be revised at any time and will vary for special trains and events. Full journey return tickets generally allow unlimited travel on day of validity only (subject always to availability), but not on 'Sunset Specials’ trains on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in August or for some special events for which special tickets are required, plus admission to all stations, the Museum, Children's Play Area, Woodland Walk, and (subject to any working restrictions) the Carriage & Wagon Workshop.

SCHOOLS INFORMATION: The attraction can supply: § Worksheet for teachers § Worksheet for children § Toilets § Picnic area § Coach parking Suitable ages: § Five to Eight year olds § Eight to Thirteen year olds Related Curriculum Subjects: § Science § Geography § History This establishment has Public Liability Insurance and has been risk assessed.

Opening Times

Opening 21/02/2012 - 31/12/2012

Grading

Quality Assurance Scheme explained

• Quality Assured Visitor Attraction VB Attraction

Tickets Information

Please note: * Family Tickets - Available for two adults and two children travelling together. * Infant Tickets - These are subject to a maximum of two infants per fare-paying adult. Otherwise carried at child rate. * Dogs - Must be kept on a short lead at all times. Conveyed subject to the safety and comfort of other passengers, and at the Railway’s discretion. * Site Admission - Charges vary for some Special Events. * Group Visits - We offer Groups of 10 or more persons reduced rates if booked in advance. School and pre-school parties are welcome and special fares are available, together with educational packs. For more details please contact liz.king@iwsteamrailway.co.uk. We also welcome enquiries from Coach Operators and Drivers. * General Information - Charges may be revised at any time and will vary for special trains and events. Full journey return tickets generally allow unlimited travel on day of validity only (subject always to availability), but not on 'Sunset Specials’ trains on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in August or for some special events for which special tickets are required, plus admission to all stations, the Museum, Children's Play Area, Woodland Walk, and (subject to any working restrictions) the Carriage & Wagon Workshop.

Road Directions

Finding The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is easy – Enter PO33 4DS in your SatNav, and head for the village of Havenstreet, three miles from Newport and three miles from Ryde. There’s plenty of free parking for coaches and cars.
From Fishbourne ferry, B3339 (Fishbourne Lane), then right onto A3054 towards Newport. At top of Wootton High Street turn left at traffic lights, past Wootton Station, left onto Briddlesford Road, then left onto Combley Wood Road to Havenstreet.
From East Cowes ferry, second exit at roundabout onto Well Road, A3021. After approx 3 miles, at roundabout with main Ryde to Newport road, take A3054 towards Ryde, first right onto Park Road, across mini roundabout onto Briddlesford Road, then left onto Combley Wood Road to Havenstreet.
From Yarmouth ferry, A3054 to Newport, A3054 towards Ryde. Just after roundabout to East Cowes, first right onto Park Road, across mini roundabout onto Briddlesford Road, then left onto Combley Wood Road to Havenstreet.

Public Transport Directions

From Ryde Wightlink Catamaran/Hovertravel: Island Line electric train to Smallbrook Junction interchange station with Steam Railway, or No. 33 or No. 29 bus to Havenstreet Station or Service 9 bus to Wootton Station.
From West Cowes Red Jet Hi-speed ferry: No. 1 bus route to Newport and change to No. 9, No. 33 or No. 29.
From Yarmouth ferry: No. 7 bus to Newport and change to No. 9, No. 33. or No.29
For further bus information please contact Southern Vectis at www.islandbuses.info/ or +44 0871 200 2233 (bus times) / +44 01983 827000 (head office).