Spa Valley Railway » Visitor Information » Accessibility & Dogs

Accessibility & Dogs

Accessibility
The Spa Valley Railway is pleased to offer all passengers a range of facilities to enable them to enjoy their day out with us. Most areas can be accessed from the level or by wheelchair-friendly ramps. For details visit Accessable.

Please note that due to the lack of our own parking at Tunbridge Wells West, blue badge holders can only use local blue badge spaces. Unfortunately, our entrance is not positioned close to these spaces - however, you'd be more than welcome to drop disabled guests at our entrance before parking nearby.

Tunbridge Wells West
Tunbridge Wells West Station has level access by footpath from Sainsbury’s car park. Visitors can be dropped off nearby, and the ticket office, shop and toilets are all on the same level. There is a unisex disabled toilet. There is a ramp to platform 1, which is the main platform in use. 

On selected special event days, we use platform 2 for some trains. This is rare, but platform 2 is not able to offer level boarding to trains. Please enquire ahead of your visit for further information.

High Rocks
Access to the station is down a series of ramps from the car park and road, but please note that the path is made from small shingle so may be difficult to navigate for some. Passengers alighting at High Rocks can gain access to the pub garden by crossing a mown grass area. 

Groombridge
There is level access to all areas of Groombridge station. The entrance is alongside the old station building, but please note parking in front of the building is not permitted as it is now in private ownership. Passengers can however be dropped off by the entrance and there is a small parking area alongside the station approach road under the horse chestnut trees. The Spa Valley station building has two wheelchair-accessible toilets and a refreshment kiosk with bench seating/tables. 

Eridge
Following work to our station as part of the access for all project during January and February 2022 we are now able to offer step free access to our platforms at Eridge via a newly constructed ramp from the station car park. 

For access to and from the mainline Southern platform: there is a lift from the Southern platform (1) to the Southern ticket hall - however, to access our platforms (2 & 3), passengers requiring step free access must exit the ticket hall onto the road, then make their way around to the station car park via Groombridge Lane, past the Huntsman Pub then turning left into the car park. From there, passengers can use the ramp onto the Spa Valley Railway platforms. The only access directly from platform 1 and the ticket hall onto our platforms is via a footbridge. 

Southern & Network Rail are responsible for Eridge station and its facilities. 

Travelling on the train
We endeavour to accommodate wheelchair users on Green timetable days, however, please note our current wheelchair accessible carriage, MK2 BSO 9414, is unavailable on dates that dining trains are in operation. To ensure we can accommodate you please contact us here to discuss any future booking. It is planned for another wheelchair accessible carriage to enter service in late 2023 so please keep an eye on this page for details - this project was unfortunately delayed due to the pandemic and extra works being required.

Our current wheelchair accessible carriage can accommodate wheelchairs with a maximum width of 27" (68cm). 

Please note, on Purple timetable days when our DEMU 1317 is in use it does not have wheelchair accommodation.  

Dogs
We welcome well behaved dogs on standard service trains at the Spa Valley Railway, but please keep them on a lead at all times and do not allow them to sit on the seats. You are welcome to bring a dog bed for your dog to travel in comfort.

Unlike many other railways we make no charge for dogs. 

We cannot accomodate dogs (except assistance dogs) on our dining experiences but you can travel in other non-dining coaches on the train. 

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