Based in South Gloucestershire within easy reach of Bristol and Bath The Avon Valley Railway is more than just a train ride, offering a whole new experience for some or a nostalgic memory for others from Steam Train Driving Experiences, Murder Mystery and Thomas Days. It's a real treat for the whole family!

The children will love a DAY OUT WITH THOMAS in May, whilst FATHER CHRISTMAS visits us during December. And why not treat them to a BIRTHDAY PARTY on the train, available on most days when trains are running.

You can learn how to DRIVE A STEAM ENGINE or join us for our REAL ALE FESTIVAL in June each year. There's also a chance to admire a wide selection of VINTAGE BUSES at our August Bus Rally.

Relax and enjoy either a TWO COURSE or a THREE COURSE MEAL on board one of our Luncheon Dining Trains, or test your investigative skills on one of our popular MURDER MYSTERY events.

Learn To Drive - Steam Train Driving

We run a series of half and full day courses giving you the chance of a lifetime to realise your dream - to drive and fire a steam train locomotive.

Courses

All courses include an introduction to the locomotive, safety briefing, commemorative certificate, gift pack of information about the Avon Valley Railway and a year's membership, plus the opportunity to become a working member of a fully operational heritage railway.

Thomas Days

Come and meet 'Thomas', 'Sir Topham Hatt, The Fat Controller' and 'The Troublesome Trucks'. Spend a day (or even two) discovering what your favourite railway characters get up to, when they're holidaying at the Avon Valley Railway. Miles from the fabled isle of Sodor, Bitton station plays host to the fun and games that Thomas and his friends play when they're not working. They'll be up to their tricks from 10:30am to 5:30pm each day, and you can be sure of lots of good, old-fashioned family fun. Thomas and Friends, What better way to spend a day out with the kids?

Murder Mystery

Murder mystery in the Bristol and Bath area set within the classic detective genre, you are invited to join us for an evening of mystery and murder. The victim(s) and suspects with gather just before departure on the station platform for an exciting evening aboard the Avon Valley Express. During the evening there will be plots unmasked, intrigue and even murder(s). It is you who will be asked to aid the Chief Inspector to unravel the mystery and solve the most important question of all. The suspects will enact scenes with various clues between the courses of your meal, and will be available for your interrogation at other times. Finally, after coffee is served we will be asking you…. Who Dunnit? A programme and clue sheet will be provided to you upon boarding the train.

Real Ale Festival

Now in its 8th year the Bitton Beer Festival is a must for the real ale drinker, offering a wide selection of ales from near and far. An early session on Friday afternoon allows you to try all the Ales before the rush. Perfect for those who would like to guarantee themselves able to try all the Ales before they run out.  This early session would then run into our normal Friday and Saturday sessions. We are not planning to run the Sunday as an advertised drinking session but use it as a wind down session if there is still Ale available.

For the Beer Festival we aptly name our bar area 'The Railway', which even includes an original pub sign. We provide a covered drinking area with views along the platform and tracks. All sessions are ticket only, so you'll need to purchase your tickets in advance to guarantee your place.

Children's Birthday Parties

Give your child a birthday party to remember on one of our trains. We can provide reserved seating for up to 32 or 64 people, in one of our 1950s railway carriages on most steam* day mornings or afternoons (Thomas and Dining Train days excluded) between Easter and October.

Each party lasts for just over two hours, during which time you will be able to enjoy two return trips on the train – north to Oldland Common platform, then south into the Avon valley to our new Avon Riverside platform where you can watch the engine run around the train. You may, if you wish, decorate the train with balloons and banners. You can either bring your own refreshments or purchase them from us.