Cuckoo Line Gala!

The Cuckoo Line Gala – Friday 13^th, Saturday 14^th and Sunday 15^th June 2025
Step back in time to the 1960’s when steam still ruled supreme and join us as we commemorate 60 years since the closure of the famous Cuckoo Line which once ran between Tunbridge Wells West via Eridge and Hailsham to Polegate and we join the countrywide celebrations of 200 years of rail in the United Kingdom.

History of the Cuckoo Line
The Cuckoo Line is the name for the now closed railway line which joined Polegate to Eridge from 1880 to 1968. It was nicknamed the Cuckoo Line by drivers, from a tradition observed at the annual fair at Heathfield, a station on the route. At the fair, which was held each April, a lady would release a cuckoo from a basket, it being supposedly the 'first cuckoo of spring'.

The Cuckoo Line was built by the London Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) in two sections, starting with the branch from Polegate to Hailsham which opened to traffic on 14^th May 1849. It diverged from the main Eastbourne to London line at Polegate, and ran northwards to the market town of Hailsham, which was the terminus for 31 years until the line through to Eridge had been completed which opened in September 1880.

The line then passed through the villages of Hellingly (where the famous electric Hellingly Hospital Railway once operated) Horam, Heathfield, Mayfield, Rotherfield & Mark Cross, then joined the Oxted Line at Redgate Mill Junction before arriving at Eridge. The route continued on what is now the Spa Valley Railway leaving the Oxted Line at Birchden Junction heading for Groombridge, High Rocks Halt and eventually Tunbridge Wells West.

Following the famous Beeching Report in 1963, the line was recommended for closure. The section from Eridge to Hailsham was closed to passenger traffic on 14^th June1965 with the section between Heathfield and Hailsham remaining open for freight until 1968. The remaining stub of branch line from Polegate to Hailsham remained open until 8^thSeptember 1968.

The line between Eridge and Tunbridge Wells West remained open until 1985 and of course was then re-opened in 1997 as the Spa Valley Railway and we’re delighted to be hosting this event to commemorate 60 years since the closure of this famous line!

The Cuckoo Line Gala
Whilst it is early days yet, expect to see a range of steam and diesel locomotives in use, along with some visitors appropriate to the Cuckoo Line too!

There will be displays of photographs and artefacts from the Cuckoo Line, historic tours along the disused railway, including (we hope) Heathfield Tunnel plus lots more for you to enjoy as we recreate the past of this historic and much-loved former branch line.

This event holding page will be updated as our plans for this fantatic event progress throughout the early part of 2025. Tickets will not be released until locomotives are confirmed so the fares can be set correctly, we anticipate this to be around April 2025.