Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
4.5
About
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway is a heritage railway over 14 miles (23km) long in the beautiful English Cotswolds. Visit the GWSR stations at Broadway (postcode WR12 7DF), Toddington (postcode GL54 5DT), Winchcombe (GL54 5LD), or Cheltenham Racecourse (GL50 4SH). Free parking, and there is so much to do in addition to riding on the heritage trains. There are authentic Great Western Railway stations and well-stocked shops. Catering options include on-train buffet cars, Broadway Station Refreshment Room, 1950s themed Coffee Pot Cafe at Winchcombe Station and the Flag & Whistle Restaurant at Toddington Station. There is a model railway coach and Discovery Coach at Winchcombe Station, whilst at Toddington there is a self-guided heritage trail, a children’s play area, a have-a-go signalbox and a locomotive yard viewing area. Check out our website to see the operating days, the train times and the range of this year's special events, both for enthusiasts and for children.
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  • Rod1
    6 contributions
    Great day out with Santa.
    Had a fabulous day out on Saturday 17th December on the Santa Express. Our 3 year old grand-daughter loved meeting Santa and he was excellent with her. We were very impressed with all of Santa's helpers at Cheltenham and Winchcombe, as well as those on board the train. Their positive, friendly attitude and willingness to help was highly commendable, particularly as it was freezing cold yet, as volunteers, they went out of their way to make our day special. The snow on the ground just added to the magic of the day. Thank you for a wonderful experience and Merry Christmas to you all. We will be back!!
    Dear Rod1 Thank you for your delightful review. We're so pleased to hear that your family and especially your grand-daughter enjoyed the steam train visit to see Santa at the North Pole on the GWSR. We look forward to seeing you again. Merry Christmas and kind regards, Philip, TripAdvisor Account Manager.
    Written 19 December 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 18 December 2022
  • wenvoeman
    Cardiff, United Kingdom732 contributions
    Take the train for a great day out.
    We were staying at the adjacent campsite of the Caravan and Motorhome Club and took the train to Cheltenham to meet some friends for lunch, At £25 each the tickets were more than we expected but I suppose everything has gone up recently. A nice man in the cafe told us that "Mary" was a first-class coach so we boarded that one and it was exceptionally comfortable with upholstered seating and a table with a lamp that was working. We enjoyed coffee from the onboard cafe and relaxed to appreciate the marvellous views on both sides of the track. The staff were all mega helpful and enthusiastic and altogether it made a great day out. On the drive back to Wales my wife said that she would love to take the train again another day.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 3 January 2023
  • Charlotte Beauvoisin Diary of a Muzungu
    Kampala, Uganda497 contributions
    What a brilliant experience for all the family.
    What a brilliant experience for all the family. Really loved this big dose of nostalgia and the enthusiasm from the volunteers who run this bit of railway. It isn't a cheap day out but it is totally worth it. We bought the rover tickets at £25 each and had lots of fun hanging out the windows, talking to staff, admiring the different stations drinking tea, and then doing the same again in reverse ...! The website doesn't have enough information but the brochure Your Day Out has history and lots of ideas about where to grab a bite along the way. We took the steam train but diesel powered trains also operate on same line.
    Visited July 2022
    Written 13 February 2023
  • Mike Hurst
    8 contributions
    Great day out, would visit again
    We bought the rover ticket so we could travel over the whole line and get off at all stations. Brilliant trip, Toddington is the best stop as there is more to see here with railway buildings dotted around housing vintage toys and things from the past in collections. Don't bother getting of at Chleltenham and visiting the town. We thought it wuld be like Bath but is just a tatty run down place town like any other with cheap shops and bookies. The back roads have beautiful Georgian houses worth seeing but the town is a mess. Broadway has beautiful Cotswold buildings but overpriced pubs and houseware shops full of grey stuff. Best place to eat and drink is at the station cafes.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 8 April 2023
  • DuckysWife
    United Kingdom858 contributions
    Very smooth rides with countryside views, happy volunteers
    Cheerful and friendly volunteers dressed in very smart uniforms greeting you with warm welcomes and an enthusiastic attitude to hospitality. Fantastic experience on the railway from Winchcombe to Broadway and back. Very smooth rides with a brief stop at Toddington, delightful countryside views. Enjoyed drinks and snacks at the cafes in both waiting rooms at both ends of our journey. Staff came out of the cafe and booking office to wave as you departed the station.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 24 April 2023
  • Debi1979
    Evesham, United Kingdom76 contributions
    Good Day Out
    My sister and I visited the GWSR in Broadway. It was like going back in time to another era at the railway station, it looked so authentic with the old style posters. It was our first visit there even though we live in nearby Honeybourne, so it's local to us. We ate in the station refreshment room (very posh) before taking the train. The ride itself was wonderful, lovely scenic Cotswolds views along the way although I didn't like the long, dark Greet tunnel we went through on the way there and back. We stopped at Cheltenham Racecourse station and had a walk where we had a brief look at the iconic racecourse, then back on the train and passed through many stations on the way back to Broadway itself. We had dinner in the refreshment room, the refreshment staff were very polite, then taking many photos of the steam engine before going back home. The lovely weather made for a nice day out. We plan to return later in the year.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 April 2023
  • David P
    1 contribution
    Fish and Chip Special
    We visited the railway for the Fish and Chip Special evening train. There was a host for each carriage and ours was very friendly and helpful. Food was served at Winchcombe and then carried on to Cheltenham where I've cream dessert was then served as you watched the train run round. Food was excellent, a very enjoyable evening.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 1 May 2023
  • Ian M
    Backworth, United Kingdom421 contributions
    Another brilliant trip on the railway
    My wife and I went with a friend who had never been on this railway before. It was a brilliant experience just as previously. The staff are very friendly and helpful, the trains and stations are kept in beautiful condition and the tour of the sheds at Toddington was excellent.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 May 2023
  • Helen M
    Winchcombe, United Kingdom6 contributions
    Not like it used to be
    I don’t normally write reviews but on this occasion I felt I wanted to. My family and I have been visiting the railway for a number of years and visited various events and always had a wonderful time. We are however disappointed over the last couple of years as there seems to be far less events for families to enjoy than there used to be … no food fayre ( one of our favs) no war weekend, no Thomas days , no Santa special from Toddington ( my parents used to take our children) we have to travel to Cheltenham to park. Would love to know if any of these well loved events would be coming back ? As other railways all run the Thomas days and peppa pig days etc so sad that it seems to have gone down hill in recent years.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 5 June 2023
  • Edward02
    Rotherham, United Kingdom876 contributions
    A great experience
    For my eldest brother's 80th birthday we arranged a surprise trip on a steam train. He was delighted and it was a great day out for all six of us, my brother's wife, my twin brother and his wife and my wife and myself. We went from Cheltenham race course Broadway, a lovely journey. Everything was spotless, the carriages, the stations and the trains were impressive. The people working on the railway were smart, helpful and very welcoming. A great experience and a great day out. Thank you.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 8 June 2023
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4.5
1,622 reviews
Excellent
1,272
Very good
298
Average
31
Poor
15
Terrible
6

Mike W
Weymouth, UK325 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Had a great day visiting here. We caught the train from Toddington and had two trips of the length of the line from Broadway to Cheltenham Racecourse - on behind a Hall Class GWR 4-6-0 steam loco and the other behind a Class 47 diesel. There is no extra charge for first class travel so we took one trip first class and the other in a Mk1 compartment coach.

There is a large free carpark at Toddington Station, also situated there is the gift shop, book kiosk and the eatery. There are also several railway artefacts on display with plenty of information boards explaining their purpose and use. The station building itself has a real 1950's atmosphere about it. All in all a fantastic day out on Britain's Friendliest Railway.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lynne J
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Friends
My friend and I went along to the fish and chips trip.
Every member of staff were so welcoming.
The whole trip was so well organised and a delicious meal.
It was a wonderful experience I’d treated my friend as a Christmas gift and she couldn’t have been more pleased.
What a treat thank you to everyone
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

S C
Cheltenham, UK134 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
This train literally goes past our back garden. Ashamed to say after 20 years this was our first trip. WOW. Awesome. The staff are amazing. The attention to detail at the staions is unreal. Only did the Cheltenham to Winchcombe run, but will be returning next year for the fully experience.
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

James Lea
Shropshire, UK7 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Absolutely loved this place came here for the steam gala last May. Staff were very friendly. The stations, carriages, and locomotives were all nicely preserved. Trains were running a bit late but that definitely didn't ruin the experience. Perfect for a train lover like myself
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cyber M
Cheltenham, UK69 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Great afternoon after arrival being delayed by national trains! No choice (due to lateness on our part) but to take diesel hauled carriages which may have been a bonus as we got a fantastic seat just behind the driver. The volunteer staff are so helpful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable - it hugely added to the enjoyment of our trip. The Cotswold scenery along the line is beautiful and all the stations are very well maintained and attractive. All run by a huge number of amazingly dedicated volunteers. A highly recommended day trip not to be missed.
Written 18 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Louise T
Redmile, UK25 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We were staying in Winchcombe for a few days and fancied doing something alittle different. Walked upto the station though there was plenty of parking available.
Thought the prices for an adult were reasonable but £4 for a dog was abit expensive, 50p or £1 would be more reasonable.
Staff friendly and helpful.
Train was on time, good timetable.
Took the train was Winchcombe to Broadway, walked upto the town about 15min walk.
Written 10 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kevin M
Gosport, UK8 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
The Steam Train trip was great, the old way of travel on trains, experience and understanding of the dedication by volunteers who keep this way of transport alive
Written 28 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

stuart a
Walsall, UK3 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
We visited Toddington for their fish and chip murder mystery night. We went last year to the same event. The problem we had was it was just that, the same event. Richard the 3rd on Winchcombe Station, same actors and still don't know their lines. The acting throughout the train was poor mostly in our carriage acted out in the doorway between carriages. I would not recommend this event, however the evening was somewhat saved by the great service from the many volunteer staff that worked so hard throughout the evening.
Written 17 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Stuart a Thank you for your review and your kind words about the volunteer staff at our heritage railway. We are sad you were disappointed with the Murder Mystery event overall and we would like you to contact us. Please send us an email for the attention of Philip, GWSR TripAdvisor Account Manager at info@gwsr.com. Thank you, Philip, TripAdvisor Account Manager.
Written 18 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Shanny
Cheltenham, UK17 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Absolutely brilliant evening at the murder mystery event:
- great acting by the cast
- friendly and attentive staff (definitely not murderers)
- stops at Winchcombe and Cheltenham
- Fish and Chips, and Ice Cream
- cheap refreshments on board
- met lots of great people and had a laugh

Would definitely go again for this event!
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AirSchis
Vancouver, Canada958 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We decided to take this steam train from Broadway to Winchcombe and then a return trip. Lots of fun and very nostalgic. You can sit anywhere on the train and no reserved seating. Very comfortable and everything you want in a steam locomotive. They have food/drinks on the train. Gentle rocking motion as the train does not move fast. If you are looking for a steam locomotive then this is a good choice. They have a schedule online.
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE STEAM RAILWAY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway