About

The popular Real Ale and Cider Festival in association with West Kent CAMRA takes place from 17th to 20th October 2024 at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells.  Steam trains including the fabulous Bulleid Pacific 34053 '303 Squadron' will be in operation over the weekend.

160 real ales and 50 ciders will be available and festival goers can listen to some great live bands in the Victorian Engine Shed at Tunbridge West Station. Tasty food options will be available from Fullers Butchers BBQ and Thai Food Stand.

Catering kiosks will also be open at Groombridge and Eridge selling a selection of sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, crisps, chocolate and other light refreshments. There will also be a cookie stall at Groombridge and cheese stand at Eridge.

Below is this year’s music lineup:

Friday 18th October:

16:00 – The River Flows

17:15 – Platform 4

18:30 – The Pistol Whippets

19:45 – Rebel Diamond

21:00 – The Incredible Bert

Saturday 19th October:

13:30 – Mike Wilton    

15:15 – Sticky Peaches

17:00 – The Lady Boys

19:00 – Coney Island Maybe

21:00 – The Goodness

Sunday 20th October:

12:00 – TWUNTS- Ukulele Extravaganza

13:15 – The Tilston Sisters

14:30 – Tow Rag

15:45 – Murphy’s Law 

17:00 – Alchemy Acoustic

Entry to the stations is FREE and there is no charge to access the festival sites at Tunbridge Wells West, Groombridge or Eridge but tickets are required for train travel.  Trains will not operate on Thursday but are available to book for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The main "Real Ale & Cider bar" will be at Tunbridge Wells West and additional bars can be found at Groombridge, Eridge and on two of the three trains in operation.

On arrival at the Victorian Engine Shed starter packs will be available to purchase which include a glass, beer card and event guide. Food and train travel cannot be purchased with the beer card.

Train tickets are recommended to enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of steam on board one of the magnificent steam locomotives which will take passengers on picturesque journeys between Tunbridge Wells and Eridge over the weekend.

Event opening times to the Beer Festival: Thursday 17 October: 18:00 to 22:00 (Tunbridge Wells West only, no trains are operating on this day.

Friday 18 October:  Trains from 09:00 until 22:30, Tunbridge Wells West bar: 11:00 until 22:30, Groombridge bar: 11:00 until 20:30, Eridge bar: 11:00 until 21:30

Saturday 19 October:  Trains from 09:00 until 22:30, Tunbridge Wells West bar 11:00 until 22:30, Groombridge bar 11:00 until 20:30, Eridge bar 11:00 until 21:30

Sunday 20 October:  Trains from 09:00 until 17:30, Tunbridge Wells West bar 11:00 until 18:00, Groombridge bar 11:00 until 16:00, Eridge bar 11:00 until 16:00

There will be live music from early afternoon until close of the event on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Food Stalls at Tunbridge Wells West: Fullers Butcher BBQ, Thai Food Stand and the Cheese Shop Tunbridge Wells.   Catering kiosks will be open at Groombridge and Eridge selling a selection of sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, crisps, chocolate and other light refreshments.