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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This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative
Replied to 98% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 48 hours
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From the initial reception at the…
From the initial reception at the Station, meal on the train, service from the waitress, comfort on the train, all the platform staff, everything was first class.
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
Wonderful station and staff but 80 year engine failed its duty
Lovely station and staff were welcoming and pleasant. Our trip was cut short due to the engine not making an incline. So journey was a lot shorter and spent a long while sitting waiting. Spoilt the experience as we got bored.
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed our lovely station and that our team provided a welcoming and pleasant arrival. However, we are very sorry for the frustration caused when the train was unable to clear the incline, resulting in a shortened journey and a lengthy stationary delay. We completely understand how sitting in place for so long led to boredom and ultimately spoiled your experience, as this is far from the engaging and relaxing journey we aim to deliver. Thank you once again for your patience and your valuable feedback.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Friends birthday treat.
We had a brilliant couple of hours for a friend’s birthday something she wanted to do. And we all got to enjoy it with her. Very much enjoyed by all. Train didn’t manage the hill but that didn’t spoil it any. We got off the train and had a look around the station and even got some pics of us all. Lovely experience.
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review about your trip with us! We’re delighted to hear that our service surpassed your expectations. Providing high-quality service is at the heart of everything we do, and your feedback reassures us that we’re on the right track. We truly appreciate your trust. Should you need any further assistance, please feel free to contact us anytime.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Novel experience
Novel experience. First class dining. Food was lovely with good portions. Disappointingly the train couldn’t run the expected route due to fire risk. Had we known before we would have postponed.
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed our first-class dining experience and found the food to be lovely with good portions. However, we are very sorry for the disappointment caused by the route restriction. While seasonal fire risks and safety regulations regarding steam engine embers can unfortunately force emergency, last-minute track closures, we completely understand your frustration and your note that you would have preferred to postpone had you known sooner. We always aim to deliver the full, scenic experience to our passengers, and your feedback regarding pre-departure communication is invaluable as we review our notification processes.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Well the breakfast was good
Well the breakfast was good, and was enjoying the train ride but we were unable to complete the journey as the train couldn’t pull the carriages up the hill, so we had to go back.
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed a good breakfast and were having a pleasant train ride with us initially. However, we are very sorry for the disappointment and frustration caused when the train was unable to pull the carriages up the incline, preventing you from completing the full journey. We understand how disruptive it is to have an experience cut short by a mechanical failure, and this is certainly not the seamless ride we intend to provide. Thank you once again for your patience and your valuable feedback.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Friendly staff very helpful
Friendly staff very helpful . Great activity for all ages. Reasonable price. Free child ticket. Stopped off for lunch at Black Lion before catching train back.
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
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you, please visit us again.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Excellent service
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you, that's great to hear!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you, that's great to hear!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Friendly staff and very well organised
Friendly staff and very well organised. We had breakfast which was served hot and well cooked. It was a great experience and lovely views.
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you, that's great to hear!
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Great food but journey cut short
The booking process was excellent and efficient.
The staff were welcoming on arrival.
The food was lovely.
The service was not of the standard I had received previously only asking once if we required another drink on a two hour journey.
The train was unable to take us on the full journey and had to return to Frogall.
I understand that this could occur with old trains but disappointed that this was not announced on the train to let us know what was happening , also could there have been an option for the diesel train to replace it and continue the journey?
Having said that I would travel again as I have travelled many times and this was the first time that the train hadn’t made the full journey.
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback with us. As a returning passenger, your loyalty means a great deal to us, and we are pleased to hear that you experienced an efficient booking process, a warm welcome from our arrival team, and a lovely meal. However, we are very sorry that the onboard experience fell short of our usual standards. We apologize that the drink service was not as attentive as it should have been on a two-hour journey, and that a mechanical issue prevented the train from completing its full route. While our heritage locomotives are meticulously maintained, unexpected technical faults can occasionally occur. We completely agree that a timely announcement should have been made over the speaker system to keep you informed, and we are addressing this lapse in communication with our train crew. Regarding your question about a replacement locomotive, substituting a diesel engine during an active journey unfortunately depends on real-time track availability, safety regulations, and locomotive positioning, which is why it is not always operationally feasible at short notice. We are incredibly grateful for your understanding and your reassuring note that you will travel with us again. We look forward to welcoming you back on board for the seamless, high-quality journey you have rightly come to expect from us.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Midweek lunch
The food was exceptional
The service was excellent
The only downside was the actual train journey, it was shortened because of a problem with the train not being able to reach the intended final destination and then there was a engine problem which caused the train to stop
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback. We are absolutely delighted to hear that you found the food to be exceptional and our service excellent; our catering and onboard teams work incredibly hard, and your high praise is greatly appreciated. However, we are deeply sorry for the disruptions you experienced during the rail journey itself. Having the route shortened due to operational limits, followed by a secondary engine problem that caused the train to halt, is far from the seamless experience we aim to deliver. We understand how frustrating these combined mechanical setbacks must have been, and we truly appreciate your patience during the trip.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Not the first visit or the last
Not the first visit or the last! Breakfast was superb as always staff very friendly efficient and helpful. There is nothing more to say the whole experience was super I would wholeheartedly recommend
19 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
mexican dining experience
We did the mexican dining experience as a birthday treat. Lovely, friendly staff . Food good, well presented but desert a little uninspiring . Good range of drinks. Plenty of parking. Would definitely do it again.
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you very much for sharing your review with us. We are delighted to hear that you chose our Mexican dining experience for such a special birthday treat! It is wonderful to know that you found our staff to be lovely and friendly, and that you enjoyed our good selection of drinks, convenient parking, and well-presented food. We also appreciate your constructive feedback regarding the dessert; insights like yours are invaluable as our culinary team continually works to refine and elevate our menus. We are thrilled to hear that you would definitely join us again.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Beautiful tranquil train journey very…
Beautiful tranquil train journey very relaxing
Excellent food caring staff well worth the money
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
Train experience
The food was amazing. The staff were lovely, friendly and very good service 10/10.
Unfortunately there was a problem with the trains valve system so we didn’t complete even one half of the journey. We stopped to eat our main course half in a tunnel so not the picturesque view we were expecting. We were told to get off the train and had to take our cheese and biscuits home with us . I understand things happen but it did without a doubt spoil our experience.
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We are absolutely delighted by your 10/10 rating for our amazing food and our lovely, friendly staff, and I will be sure to pass your compliments along to the team. However, we are deeply sorry that a mechanical issue with the locomotive disrupted your journey. Eating your main course inside a tunnel and having to take your cheese and biscuits home is certainly not the picturesque or relaxing experience we aim to provide, and we completely understand how this spoiled your day out. We appreciate your understanding that mechanical issues can happen, and hope that you will visit us again.
Kind regards
kaaren
01538 360522
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you, please visit us again.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Enjoyable lunch
Very helpful staff, delicious food, lovely countryside.
The CVR is a very interesting railway and the volunteers do wonderful work keeping it going. Special thanks to Andrea.
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you, please visit us again.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
Great experience
Great experience, staff were brilliant food was lovely shame about the engine problem, hope it was fixed for the guests who stayed on for the Ipstones section
19 August 2026
Reply from Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC
Thank you very much for sharing such a kind review with us. We are absolutely delighted to hear that you had a great experience overall, and that you found our staff to be brilliant and the food lovely. We appreciate your understanding regarding the mechanical issue encountered during your journey. Thank you once again for your patronage and your well-wishes, and we look forward to welcoming you back on board in the near future.
Kind regards
Kaaren
01538 360522
From beginning to end it was a…
From beginning to end it was a fantastic experience. The cafe staff were lovely and excellent service.The train itself was beautiful and extremely clean and the staff and service brilliant.
19 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
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