Spa Valley Railway » Family Events

Heathfield Tunnel Opening & Bus Service!

Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June 2025

Heathfield Tunnel & Bus Service!
We are delighted to announce that the 265-yard-long Heathfield Tunnel will be open to the public for the first time in around 10 years, on Friday, 13th June, Saturday, 14th June, and Sunday, 15th June. The tunnel will be open from 10:00 to 17:00 for visitors to explore and walk through the most significant piece of infrastructure on the Cuckoo Line. The original Heathfield station building has been converted into a café. 

Walk through this piece of history 60 years to the day since it last saw a steam train pass through! There will be a small charge payable at the tunnel on the day, £1 per adult and 50p per child to walk through. This payment helps cover the costs associated with opening the tunnel for this event; it is not for profit, as we are a charity.

You can buy a combined All Day Travel ticket and Heathfield Tunnel Entry via our website, too!

Scroll to the bottom of the page to book Train Travel + Tunnel Entry Tickets!

How to get to Heathfield Tunnel?
A dedicated rail replacement bus service will operate between Tunbridge Wells West and Heathfield courtesy of the Bromley Bus Group. This means you can travel between our railway and the tunnel and return as you wish throughout the day. Running every 50 minutes, connecting with arriving trains at Tunbridge Wells West. This service is FREE! All you have to do is hop on board the bus!

The bus service is kindly provided by the Bromley Bus Preservation Group and their collection of vehicles.

Are you making your own way there?
You can find Heathfield Tunnel at Station Rd, Station Approach, Heathfield TN21 0AA. What3words: novel.passport.skirting. Parking is available in Heathfield for those visiting by car. If you need to use public transport to reach the village, then the Stagecoach 51 bus stops at Heathfield. Click here for the bus timetable. 

Tunbridge Wells West to Heathfield Tunnel Bus Timetable

Planned Buses in use:

  • T747 - OHV 747Y - Leyland Titan
  • T23 - WYV 23T - Leyland Titan
  • M1100 - B100 WUL - MCW Metrobus
  • 3238 - P238 MKN - Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton Pointer I
  • 379 - Y378 HMY - Dennis Dart SLF / Caetano Nimbus
  • 6428 - GN04 UEV - Volvo B7TL / Alexander ALX400


Photo copyright Anthony Moore


Inside Heathfield Tunnel during an inspection on 1st May, which has enabled us to reopen it for this event, with the support of Wealden District Council and Heathfield Parish Council.

Please help us raise £300,000 to replace the vital Broom Lane Bridge between High Rocks and Groombridge; click here for details and to donate!

Book tickets

Fri 13 Jun 2025
Open Day Event
Sat 14 Jun 2025
Open Day Event
Sun 15 Jun 2025
Open Day Event

Booking information

On the day of your visit, you must have your e-tickets available to show, either in print or on a mobile device. You do not need to visit the ticket office to check in; if you have the e-ticket on your phone, you can hop on board!

Please note that a £10 administration fee applies to all booking alterations.

Click here to view our refund, cancellation and alterations policy

We regret that there can be no refund or transfer to a future date for ‘no-show’ customers. The Spa Valley Railway still incurs charges for its services, which must be paid to our suppliers. We recommend taking out a form of insurance to protect yourself if necessary. To re-book, you will be required to pay the full fare again


Help us raise £300,000 to replace the vital Broom Lane Bridge between High Rocks and Groombridge, click here for details and to donate!