The Watercress Line is a heritage railway offering a scenic, family-friendly experience through the Hampshire countryside, showcasing historic steam and diesel locomotives, local history, and a commitment to preservation and education.
Our special days and events
Day Out With Thomas
5 - 10 August 2025
Peep, peep! Join Thomas & Friends for a day of family fun at The Watercress Line. Take a steam train ride and meet Thomas and some of your other favourite characters.
Bluey & Bingo Meet and Greet
22 - 24 August 2025
Bluey & Bingo return! Enjoy a train ride and see Bluey & Bingo as they make regular appearances at intervals throughout the day.
Engineering Open Weekend
13-14 September 2025
The Open Weekend gives visitors a chance to explore our engineering hub at Ropley Station to view current restoration projects throughout the yard, engineering shed and carriage shop viewing gallery. ‘Behind the scenes’ tour routes open throughout the weekend.
Wallace & Gromit Present Cracking Hobbies
27 - 28 September 2025
Wallace & Gromit welcome you to a day at The Watercress Line to look at some fascinating hobbies – you can have a go too! Wallace will be making regular appearances on Ropley platform with his faithful companion Gromit for photo opportunities.
Autumn Steam Gala
3 - 5 October 2025
Enjoy unlimited rides behind a range of visiting locomotives as well as our home-fleet locomotives, running on an enhanced timetable. Explore all of the heritage stations along the 10-mile line and enjoy the activites going on through the day.
Wizard Week
25 October - 2 November 2025
The Watercress Line transforms into a place of magic and mischief for Halloween. We have lots of spooky activities to keep the kids entertained.
Steam Illuminations
28 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
Steam Illuminations is an incredible sound and light show on and in a steam train, consisting of thousands of coloured LED lights and LED wristbands, creating a kaleidoscope of different colours and flashing patterns.
Real Ale Train (RAT)
Selected Saturday Nights
Our famous Real Ale Train, or RAT as it is affectionately known, returns in 2025 to continue its tradition of serving real ale from the bar car whilst travelling through by train the beautiful Hampshire countryside.
The Wine Line - Wine Tasting Train
Date
The Wine Line is a new wine tasting and dining experience aboard a steam train, in partnership with The Naked Grape and Louis Pommery.
Dining Trains
Selected dates throughout the year
We have a variety of popular dining experiences available throughout the year.
Driver Experiences
Selected dates throughout the year
We offer a range of driver experiences on steam and diesel locomotives.
Gift Vouchers
Treat someone you know
Our Gift Experience Cards make a wonderful present to anyone you think will enjoy The Watercress Line.
FAMILY DAY OUT
Explore Ropley station, let off steam at our locomotive playground, get up close to our locomotives in the yard and discover more about our engineering projects and how a steam engine works in our workshop viewing galleries for the perfect family day out.
DAY OUT WITH FRIENDS
In years gone by, The Watercress Line took people on holiday, carried people to war, transported evacuees and moved all the essential goods of the area.
Today, enjoy a relaxing journey on our steam or heritage diesel trains with views of the South Downs National Park and explore the historic town of Alresford with our specially curated excursion. Take a picturesque walk through the town, browse the shops and treat yourself to a delicious lunch, with exclusive deals available for Watercress Line customers.
Get to know
us better
Check out our YouTube channel with lots of films explaining different things around our railway, who we are and what we do.
Our latest
news & updates
Keep up to date with all our latest news, blog articles and updates from around the Watercress Line.
News & Updates
Keep up to date with all our latest news, blog articles and updates from around the Watercress Line.
Get to know us
Check out our YouTube channel with lots of films explaining different things around our railway, who we are and what we do.
Our Trains
We have a wide range of steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, coaches, wagons and cranes.
VIEW OUR TRAINS
Donations
Whilst we derive income from c.125,000 visitors each year, this is typically only sufficient to cover operating costs. To sustain this heritage railway in the future, we need to raise funds – your donations will be much appreciated.
MAKE A DONATION
A visit to the Watercress Line is a trip back in time
Discover how we restore our locomotives and carriages and see restoration in action plus much more.
Around the Watercress Line
Enjoy the perfect day out for all the family, with plenty of activities included in the ticket price: play in the playground and relax in the picnic areas.
