We chose the lunchtime dining experience for our trip on the Churnet Valley Railway and had a really great day. The online booking process was straightforward and we were warmly greeted when we arrive... See more
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Excellent trip. Lots of volunteer staff around, good tanoy announcements, decent tearooms, clean carriages, and we liked the trolley service on the train. Very dog friendly. Lovely train ride, which t... See more
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A really enjoyable evening journey on the railway, with an excellent Mexican meal served.The train carriages are very well maintained, with comfortable and roomy table seating. Our meal was served by... See more
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Lovely few hours around the Staffordshire Moorlands countryside. Very good value, we did the Butty and Brew which is highly recommended. Although web site said sold out, the train wasn't overcrowded a... See more
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Company details
About Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Written by the company
Churnet Valley Railway: A Journey Through Time and Scenic Beauty
Hop on board Churnet Valley Railway, Staffordshire’s premier heritage railway, for an unforgettable journey through England's scenic countryside. Catering to a wide range of audiences, Churnet Valley Railway offers not just a trip, but an experience designed to delight all ages.
Entertainment for Everyone: Whether it’s a fun-filled day out with the kids, who will be thrilled by special children's events like The Mad Hatters Tea Train Party, an exotic and romantic lunch excursion for couples, or their tipsy Rail Ale Trail for you and your mates – there's something for everyone at Churnet Valley Railway. Seasonal events like their PolarExpress™ Christmas Train Ride or the Midsummer Murder Mystery evenings offer entertainment that stays fresh throughout the year.
Heritage Presentation: Operated primarily by a dedicated team of volunteers, Churnet Valley Railway takes immense pride in preserving and showcasing the golden age of British rail travel. The meticulously restored steam locomotives, along with vintage carriages, offer passengers an authentic glimpse into the past.
Partnerships Galore: Beyond providing a thrilling day out, Churnet Valley Railway collaborates with external partners to bring Staffordshire some of its most loved events. From bringing festival-goers to villages accessible only by rail to hosting engaging and interactive educational events for children, Churnet Valley continues to offer new and exciting options to the communities they serve. Hop on board and experience the unique blend of nostalgia, scenic beauty, and warm hospitality that only Churnet Valley Railway can offer.
Contact info
Station Road, ST13 7EE, Cheddleton, United Kingdom
- 01538360522
- enquiries@churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
- churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
4.8
Excellent
14K reviews
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Replied to 98% of negative reviews
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Friendly staff excellent pie 🥧 train…
Friendly staff excellent pie 🥧 train ride was perfect
22 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533
Excellent afternoon
22 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533
Lovely few hours around the Staffordshire Moorlands. Very friendly staff and good value. We did the Butty and Brew and highly recommend.
Lovely few hours around the Staffordshire Moorlands countryside. Very good value, we did the Butty and Brew which is highly recommended. Although web site said sold out, the train wasn't overcrowded and we had a compartment to ourselves. Very friendly staff and would like to try their other experiences
22 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533
Excellent service and great atmosphere
Excellent service and great atmosphere.
Staff were excellent
22 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely review, please travel again with us soon.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360533
Really enjoyed the journey
Really enjoyed the journey , the food was great and the staff were all very nice and helpful .
21 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely, supportive review. We're glad that you enjoyed your Pie & Mash with us!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 350522
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely, supportive review. We look forward to seeing you again!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
It was our first time visiting quite disappointed
It was our first time visiting. We booked the fish and chip train. The staff are lovely and the carriages are comfortable and clean. However we were disappointed. We paid £38.50 each for a very small fish and chips and the train journey. There were people on the train who had paid only for the train trip. They had paid less than £20. There is no way that the chips were worth the extra amount. Seats are not allocated so it is like a free for all when the train arrives. There were some people who had chips that could not find a seat. Surely those who had not booked food should be seated last. The train is not currently doing the full journey due to fire caution. Whilst we understood this it really should have been advertised when booked. The views on the section that we did travel are ok but not as impressive as other train companies that we have been on. As it is doing a limited journey you are given the opportunity to do the journey twice. Many of us left the train after the first journey. If I came again I would book one of the more organised dining experiences. This was not worth the money I’m afraid.
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback following your first visit to our railway. We are pleased to hear that you found our carriages comfortable and clean, and that our team provided a lovely service. However, we are very sorry that the overall experience fell short of your expectations and did not feel worth the £38.50 ticket price. We appreciate your fair criticisms regarding our operation. Your comments regarding the fish and chip portion sizes have been passed directly to the vendor for immediate review. Furthermore, we take your feedback regarding our unallocated seating system very seriously; hearing that dining guests struggled to find seats while non-dining passengers were already boarded is unacceptable, and we are reviewing how we structure our boarding priorities to ensure our dining guests are accommodated properly. Regarding the shortened route, we apologize that the fire caution restrictions were not clearly highlighted during your booking process. While seasonal safety regulations regarding steam engine embers can unfortunately force emergency route limits, we completely agree that this should be transparently communicated to passengers beforehand.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538360522
Really enjoyed it a shame it didn't go…
Really enjoyed it a shame it didn't go all the way,
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely, supportive review. We look forward to seeing you again for the full route!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Greek evening was excellent
Greek evening was excellent. Good food, lovely company, brilliant staff. A memorable way to spend a birthday .
Look forward to next special event. Thank you. Value for money.
21 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you so much for your kind words regarding your trip with us! We’re so happy to hear that you had a great experience with our service. Our team strives to provide exceptional service, and knowing that we’ve met your expectations truly means a lot to us. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you again in the future. If there's anything else we can do for you, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Fascinating railway
Fascinating railway , different from regular heritage railway, loved it!
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely review!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely, supportive review. We look forward to seeing you again!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Pie n mash
Staff very friendly and the food was great. Fabulous value for money - great evening out.
21 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely, supportive review. We look forward to seeing you again!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you so much for your kind words regarding your trip with us! We’re so happy to hear that you had a great experience with our service. Our team strives to provide exceptional service, and knowing that we’ve met your expectations truly means a lot to us. We appreciate your support!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Exceptional Staff and food!
All the staff were amazing! We received a very warm welcome and lots of smiles 😁. We were informed what to do and everything went very smoothly. The pie and mash was very hot and tasted great. The train journey was also really enjoyable.
21 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you so much for your kind words regarding your trip with us! We’re so happy to hear that you had a great experience with our service. Our team strives to provide exceptional service, and knowing that we’ve met your expectations truly means a lot to us. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you again in the future. If there's anything else we can do for you, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Great nostalgic experience on the…
Great nostalgic experience on the train. Comfy seats and the best pie and mash ever!
Great service from friendly staff.
21 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely, supportive review. We look forward to seeing you again!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Great Food and Service.
We had a great evening last night on the Greek Dinning experience. The food was excellent and the staff very friendly and professional.
We were celebrating our wedding anniversary, we had expected to be on a table for two (something to check when booking) but we ended up sharing a table for four with another couple celebrating their wedding anniversary, and to be honest only made the night even better 👍
21 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you so much for taking the time & trouble to give us such a lovely review.
We’re so pleased that you enjoyed your trip with us.
All of the team at the Churnet Valley Railway work really hard to ensure that all of our visitors have a wonderful & memorable time.
Please visit us again soon.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Very well organised from online booking…
Very well organised from online booking to a great dining experiance
21 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely, supportive review. We look forward to seeing you again!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
What a fabulous time we had the whole…
What a fabulous time we had the whole experience the trip the staff were excellent the Greek dining meal was expertly presented and very nice would really recommend the whole experience could not fault it
21 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for your lovely, supportive review. We look forward to seeing you again!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
More info required on booking.
The cake was lovely and even had a choice of coffee. Parked in the overspill carpark, but no sign to the station which made us on the last minute as we had a disabled person with us, had to ask someone where the station was, then walk up over the bridge. Also didn't know beforehand we had to collect the beverages from the ticket office. When we got on the train we couldn't find anywhere to sit together as couples were taking up all the seats of 4, so we had to sit in one of the larger enclosed areas at the back of the train with another couple, so none of us had a window seat. Also the train didn't complete the journey, as we were told it wouldn't make it up the hill. We were offered no compensation for this. Staff on the train were pleasant though and they came round with more beverages to buy, we had made sandwiches though as we didn't know.
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We’re pleased to hear that you enjoyed the cake, coffee choices and the friendliness of our staff, but we’re sorry that several aspects of your visit caused disappointment.
We appreciate your comments regarding the overspill car park and the lack of clear signage directing customers to the station. We can understand how this would have been particularly frustrating when travelling with someone with mobility difficulties, and we will review the signage.
We are sorry that the arrangements for collecting the beverages were not clear. We will look at how this information is communicated to customers before their visit.
Unfortunately, on the day of your visit we were unable to complete the full advertised route due to operational conditions and the locomotive not being able to safely negotiate the gradient. We appreciate that this was disappointing, particularly as you had planned your day around the full journey.
Thank you again for your comments. They are helpful in highlighting areas where we can make information clearer for our customers.
Kind regards,
Debra
01538 360522
A great day out
We chose the lunchtime dining experience for our trip on the Churnet Valley Railway and had a really great day. The online booking process was straightforward and we were warmly greeted when we arrived. The dining car was beautifully laid out for lunch and the staff were friendly and welcoming. Our three course lunch was delicious and unrushed. Overall, we had a wonderful time and felt we had celebrated my husband’s birthday in style.
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you so much for your kind words regarding your trip with us! We’re so happy to hear that you had a great experience with our service. Our team strives to provide exceptional service, and knowing that we’ve met your expectations truly means a lot to us. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you again in the future. If there's anything else we can do for you, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
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