The Watercress Line

A lovely experience. Friendly staff & volunteer workers who truly enjoy their work. Trains were superb. Felt like a kid going on an outing. Love the stations. So clean & authentic like one was going back in time. Totally recommend it & may go again!

What an incredible day out! We visited for the Easter weekend. Started at Alresford and took the shuttle to Ropley, then all the way to the end and back again (taking the last service back to Alresford).

Ropley was awesome. The miniature railway was well operated and a lot of fun. Queues were very short.

The museum / display was well worth visiting.

Train rides were comfortable (some cabins were even heated).

Fantastic day. Amazing friendly staff. Great value. My grandsons had a wonderful time. Lots of activities for children during Easter holidays. We had a wonderful adventure. Sharan Portsmouth

Absolutely fantastic experience for the family. Lovely steam train and there are different themes throughout the year.

You can park in the station car park and use their toilets, then walk over the bridge to get through. Give yourself enough time as there can be queues.

Bring your own food/drink as there's limited things available on board.

Our family of 8 booked tickets for the festive illuminations trip on 23rd December and absolutely loved it! So much so that it may just have to become a yearly tradition.

We parked at Alton train station where we departed from and found there to be ample parking - but we did arrive about 30mins before our departure time to ensure we got a space.

Whilst the train is impressive and the Christmas songs with narration we fantastic, what really made it special for us were the staff and volunteers working there. Everyone was so happy, helpful and informative that they made the trip really special for us. We also got some lovely shots of our family together as the staff/volunteers were always offering to take pictures for us which we greatly appreciated.

You can take your own refreshments on board to enjoy (food and drink including alcohol) but you could also buy refreshments from the buffet cart on the train or at Alresford station where you will stop for around 30mins. You can also pre-order drinks online with your tickets and get them delivered straight to your table which is a good idea.

There was such a happy atmosphere on the train with people singing and dancing along to the festive tunes. There’s even choreography with the wristbands flashing to the music and a Christmas quiz! Lots and lots of fun for everyone.

You certainly don’t need to be a steam train enthusiast to enjoy the illuminations but if you are, then you’re in for a double treat.

The trip lasts around 1hr 45mins along with your 30min stop at Alresford and really is a great day out for all of the family.

We would have no hesitation in recommending and we will be looking into the other trips available on the Watercress Line (gourmet dining trips / Real Ale Train).

Thank you again to all of the team for making it a special occasion for all of our family.

We went for the Christmas light ride and it was amazing, all staff are very welcoming and kind. I would recommend doing this either with friends, family or a couple.

Our family always enjoy a trip on the Watercress Line! We have done the special Thomas event and been on the regular train several times, as well as the vintage bus and mini-railway. The stations and trains are so well-kept and the volunteers are exceptionally friendly and helpful and seem passionate about what they do. It's an amazing day out for kids and our little ones are always thrilled when we visit. We will be back again soon, I'm sure!

We went for the lights show/ train ride just after Christmas so this was pre-booked but was amazing. We loved dancing in the aisles and seeing the amazing lights.

Another fantastic Steam Gala in beautiful Autumn sunshine. Great food, local beer and lots to do. One of my happy places.

Had the anthems and lights disco train. Highly recommend this trip. We had a great time.

Magical trip on the illuminations train for my son's birthday. Very well organised, lovely staff and a brilliant trip.

Absolutely lovely experience. The interactive wristbands are a great idea, children and adults had such fun. Really helpful volunteers. Thank you

Really good day during wizarding week. Should have looked at the timetable rather than the ticket though as ticket said 9am but train did not depart until 10:45. Luckily, there was a nice cafe at Alton Station.
Trains are beautifully kept and you really feel like you are transported back in time.
All the volunteers along the line are happy and very friendly.
My daughter loved it!
Only the public let it down. We saw so many people just leave their rubbish on the train. It's not hard to pick it up and take it with you. Stop being lazy and entitled!
Would 100% go on the watercress line again

The Christmas magical illumination train was amazing. I was worried it wouldn't be worth the money but people were fantastic. The train and the ride was amazing. Myself and my little boy absolutely loved it! Don't get off the train in Alresford unless you want your boy to spend all your money in the gift shop! Again the two ladies that served us were friendly and lovely. We really enjoyed ourselves. Cant wait to come back for Thomas in the summer

Wonderful experience. Highly recommend. Day to enjoy and dive in to back in time sort of feeling. In a sunny bright day it's looks just amazing, evry station well kept and preserved, lots of things to look at, admire and appreciate. A big Thank You to all for this amazing experience!

A Christmas present from one of our sons. We shared a table with 2 wonderful ladies, who were great company. We had a huge and delicious lunch, served by a great team of volunteers, full of fun and information. A really wonderful day! Thanks to all!

Lovely visit today and despite low staff numbers due to reasons beyond their control, the staff were helpful and informative. Special mention to the chap at Alresford tea rooms on the station who was an absolutely top chap and brilliant advert for the line

Have wanted to come to the Watercress Line for ages and glad I did.
It's been lovely seeing all the old trains puffing away, the Line is clean and beautiful, staff are polite and the stations are lovely.
Being able to get on and off at each of the stations is also a nice touch.
The carriages are lovely with great views through the countryside.
On a side note, we stayed at watercress ledge camp site and it was nice listening to the trains being made ready in the morning.

Visited this half term for witches and wisards day. Love how the staff were dressed up and the activity sheet for kids.

This is a great day out for all ages.
The railway has been kept in a beautiful condition thanks the the very passionate and knowledgeable volunteers. It was lovely to see the pride they take in what they are doing.

The train stops at some lovely little villages so you can have a leisurely day exploring.