This autumn, travellers can swap the conventional festival field for a five-mile heritage railway as the Spa Valley Railway’s award-winning Real Ale & Cider Festival returns to Tunbridge Wells. The festival opens at Tunbridge Wells West on Thursday evening; vintage trains then carry visitors between three characterful station venues from Friday to Sunday, combining a major drinks festival with live music, local food and a journey through the scenic High Weald on a Steam Train.
The 16th festival will bring together around 200 real ales, 40 Kent Green Hop beers, 14 keg beers and 70 ciders at Tunbridge Wells West, Groombridge and Eridge. The railway journey is not simply transport between bars: it is the thread that joins the experience, with heritage trains, countryside views and drinks available on selected services.
At Tunbridge Wells West, full bands will perform on the main stage inside the atmospheric engine shed; Groombridge will offer a more intimate acoustic soundtrack; and Eridge will add its own lively mix of smaller bands. Freshly prepared food will be served across the line, creating an easy, unhurried day out in which visitors can taste, travel and explore at their own pace.
Entry to every festival site is free. The festival opens at Tunbridge Wells West at 6pm on Thursday 15 October, with no train services operating that day. Heritage trains and the full three-station festival programme run from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October only. Rover tickets provide unlimited train travel between the venues on those three days, making it possible to experience the entire line in one memorable day.
Why It Belongs on the Autumn Travel Calendar
- 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: “Few festivals let you arrive by heritage train, step into three very different venues and enjoy the landscape as part of the day. This is a celebration of flavour, music and railway travel rolled into one – equally rewarding for serious beer enthusiasts, cider lovers and visitors looking for an original autumn escape with friends or family.”
We would also like to thank Royal Tunbridge Wells Together for its continued support and generous contribution towards marketing this annual event.”
The combination of vintage rail travel, three contrasting station settings and one of the country’s largest gatherings of Kent Green Hop beers gives the festival a strong sense of place. Visitors can compare classic bitters, bold stouts, refreshing pales, modern craft pours and an exceptional range of ciders while crossing 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
From Friday to Sunday, visitors can arrive at any festival site, purchase a festival glass and begin exploring. Rover tickets for unlimited heritage train travel are available in advance or at the stations, and the railway has published the 2026 train timetable online.
Full event details, opening times and 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
The 16th Real Ale & Cider Festival opens at Tunbridge Wells West at 6pm on Thursday 15 October 2026 and continues across all three festival sites from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October. Trains operate Friday to Sunday only; there are no train services on Thursday. Festival entry is free, while train travel requires a ticket. For the latest beer and cider lists, opening times, the train timetable and advance Rover 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.
For media enquiries and image requests, please contact Caroline Edmunds at Pennington PR on 01892 616647.
