KENTSTAYCATION
KENT BY RAIL
For an adult dining experience like no other , those looking for something utterly unique and memorable can book a ‘ Summer Evening Dinner ’ aboard the Wealden Pullman . This train departs from Tenterden Town station on most Saturday evenings from April to November . A complimentary aperitif awaits your arrival from 6.30pm , before boarding the train in time for departure at 7.00pm . During the journey through the beautiful unspoilt Rother Valley , your carefully prepared meal will be served by Pullman attendants dressed in the period uniform of the Pullman Car Company . An onboard bar is available , although the attendants are pleased to provide full table service . On arrival at Bodiam station , a pause allows time to visit the steam locomotive , chat with its crew and perhaps take a photograph or two . Don ’ t forget to pass by the kitchen pantry where you can observe and chat to the staff hard at work . As the train returns to Tenterden Town , the dessert trolley offers an enticing range , all of which are made onboard the train . Coffee is served as the train is hauled up one of the steepest gradients in southern England , with Tenterden Town station being reached at approximately 10.30pm .
Today , trains have hurtled into the future and now operate at super high speeds and have made the journey between London and Kent so much more accessible than it was in the days of those seaside-craving Victorians . Southeastern ( www . southeasternrailway . co . uk ) operates the train service between London , Kent and parts of East Sussex , running the UK ’ s only high speed train line which has significantly cut journey times between central London and Kent , providing the opportunity for many more tourists to visit the Garden of England . Their Javelin trains travel at high speeds up to 140mph from London St Pancras International or Stratford International , to Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International , going on to call at many stations across Kent – including popular destinations such as Canterbury , Margate , Ramsgate , Dover , Whitstable and Folkestone .
In the 21st century , rail travel is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel , in fact a single train can remove up to 500 cars from the roads ! There are no booking fees when you book your ticket directly with Southeastern , with tickets available via the website , app or at stations . This summer , using Southeastern trains to visit the beach , explore quintessential villages such as Chartham , Chilham , Wye and so many more , can not only save the planet energy and your time , but it can also be a cost effective way of getting around Kent . With fantastic offers that include ‘ groupsave ’, which is great for groups of three to nine adults travelling together , you can save up to 34 % on the price of individual adult tickets . ‘ Kids for a quid ’ also allows under 5s to travel free and tickets cost £ 1 for children aged 5-15 when travelling with an adult with a valid off-peak ticket on Southeastern services . Advance tickets are great for planning in advance , allowing you to save and travel on selected routes across Kent , London and East Sussex for less . With a little bit of advance planning and by choosing a specific time to travel , you can save money - but don ’ t forget - numbers of advance tickets are limited and the earlier you book , the cheaper the fare .
Kent is also home to another famous train , although much smaller than these trains for passengers ! The Hornby Visitors Centre ( www . uk . hornby . com / hornby-hobbies-visitorcentre ) is based in Margate , at which visitors can track the history of Hornby ’ s iconic model trains from Frank Hornby ’ s early homemade toys in sheet metal , through the development of Hornby ‘ O ’ gauge and Hornby-Dublo . The centre is also home to a spectacular model railway and Scalextric layouts , plus a brilliant shop which offers an extensive range of Hornby products .
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THE HORNBY VISITORS CENTRE