School’s Out Summer Picnic
School's out for summer - enjoy a tasty picnic at the watercress line!
Tuck into a yummy picnic with all the family this summer, from the comfort of our preserved carriages, experiencing the nostalgic sights, sounds and smells of the steam railway as you travel through 10 miles of beautiful Hampshire countryside, adjacent to the South Downs National Park.Â
Your ticket allows you to ride the train all day, with the opportunity to hop on and off at the four heritage stations along the line.
Collect your picnic from the West Country Buffet at Alresford Station 15 minutes before your selected train departure time (11am, 1pm or 3pm).
Choose Your Picnic:
Adults Picnic Box – Option 1
Finger Sandwiches
Sausage Roll
Pork Pie
Victoria Sponge
Scone with Jam & Cream
Adults Picnic Box – Option 2
Quiche of the day
New Potatoes
Salad
Kids Picnic Box
Sandwich
Pringles
Sausage Roll
Triple Chocolate Cookie
Please select your picnic box when booking.
Your will collect your boxed picnic in the West Country Buffet at Alresford Station.
If you have any dietary requirements or allergies, please make your booking and email your booking reference to reservations@watercressline.co.uk, letting them know your requirements.
What's included?
• Each visitor will enjoy a boxed summer picnic of their choice.
• Unlimited travel on the day of your booking.
What's On
• Visitors must collect their picnic from the West Country Buffet at Alresford Station.
• Drinks are available to purchase from the West Country Buffet and onboard the train.
Partners
The Naked Grape is a proudly independent, family-owned wine merchant dedicated to helping customers find the perfect bottle – regardless of their level of wine knowledge. Their strength lies in genuine, knowledgeable conversation and carefully tailored recommendations.
Every wine on their shelves has been personally tasted and selected by the team. If they don’t love it, they don’t stock it – simple as that. The Naked Grape specialises in wines from small, family-run producers who craft honest, characterful wines with real stories behind them. But above all, it’s about the taste.
They steer clear of mass-market bottles found everywhere else and embrace the joy of discovering wines you won’t find just anywhere. Their curated range spans the globe, offering standout examples and exceptional value across styles and regions.
Enjoy three wines from The Naked Grape on your unique wine tasting journey at The Watercress Line.
Pinglestone Estate – home to Louis Pommery – was established in 2017 by Vranken-Pommery Monopole, becoming the first Champagne House to plant vines in England. Drawing on over 200 years of heritage and expertise, they selected premium chalk-rich land in Hampshire’s downlands for their 35-hectare vineyard.
Set on a unique 360° aspect overlooking the South Downs National Park and the confluence of the River Itchen and the Arle, the estate grows Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Gris using regenerative farming methods that prioritise biodiversity and sustainability.
Crafted using the traditional method, the wines are elegant, refined, and proudly English.
Will Perkins, a Hampshire native, began his winemaking journey with Hattingley Valley. After five years as Assistant Winemaker, he gained international experience across renowned wine regions including South Africa, Spain, New Zealand, and Australia. Returning home in 2022 to join Pinglestone Estate, Will sees it as a chance to reconnect with the land and community that shaped him.
Tickets
Adults
Price Per Person
£32.50
Children (up to 14 years)
Price Per Person
£18.00
Please note:
This is a self-led experience. Guests will collect their boxed School’s Out Picnic from the West Country Buffet before boarding.
There is no reserved seating – you’re free to sit anywhere you like on the train.
Parking
Alresford: Pay & display car park, operated by Winchester City Council.
Disabled parking and electric charge points are available. Cash or RingGo app location 42519.
Alton:Â Pay & display car park, operated by South Western Railway. Cash or RingGo app location 77475.
The company does not guarantee that the trains will arrive or depart at the times stated and reserves the right to cancel, alter or suspend any train without notice, or to substitute a different train should this be necessary for whatever reason.