# Colne Valley Railway, Castle Hedingham — Opening Hours, Reviews & Visitor Info > Step aboard historic trains for a scenic journey through the Essex countryside, then explore detailed miniature railways. Onsite parking, restaurant and picnic areas make it perfect for a family day out. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/castle-hedingham/attractions/colne-valley-railway (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. Railways & Transport # Colne Valley Railway Yeldham Road [View on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=10496621911543325852&g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) Photo: [Colne Valley Railway - (Castle Hedingham)](https://maps.google.com/maps/contrib/109796604412632429632) **In short:** Colne Valley Railway is an attraction in Castle Hedingham, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 326 Google reviews. Details checked 1 September 2026 · source: Google Places ## About Colne Valley Railway Step aboard historic trains for a scenic journey through the Essex countryside, then explore detailed miniature railways. Onsite parking, restaurant and picnic areas make it perfect for a family day out. ## What's nearby - Colne Valley Miniature Railway next door Distances as the crow flies, via Google ## Good to know ### Parking - ✓Free car park ### Accessibility - ✓Accessible parking - ✓Accessible entrance - ✓Accessible toilet - ✓Accessible seating Details via Google — worth confirming with the attraction before you travel, especially for access needs. ## Photos Photos via Google ## Opening hours **Monday** Closed **Tuesday** Closed **Wednesday** 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM **Thursday** 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM **Friday** Closed **Saturday** 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM **Sunday** 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours. ## What visitors say [Casey H](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/114650374683658341125/reviews) ★★★★★ I can't speak highly enough of the lovely people who spend their time keeping this wonderful piece of railway heritage going. I have visited for the Christmas events twice and this year for their Easter event. My little one loves it! The chap in the signal tower was very kind and patient with my child, showing him how things work and encouraging his curiosity. The carriage cafe is lovely, it's a limited menu (mostly things like sausage rolls and jacket potatoes) so best to keep that in mind. But it's a lovely stop for a hot chocolate whilst you're walking round. The gentlemen who can be found in the model railway room are always wonderful to talk to and have great stories to tell. I dare say we will be back every year, at the very least for the Christmas event when the site is lit up with fairy lights. · via Google [Susannah Hughes](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/100211212927970532667/reviews) ★★★★★ Lovely little railway. Reasonably priced and a really relaxing few hours in the countryside. Its veru short but that is great for the younger children. The HST buffet was awesome and the seating very comfy. Model railway, museum, carriage exhibitions, signal box and the buildings were all well preserved and lovely to visit. Shop is well stocked and all the volunteers friendly. · via Google [Kev Mclean](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/108497254058428587135/reviews) ★★★★★ Went for a late opening Christmas special. Have been before on daytime visits for steam and diesel days. Station and approaches were lit by lashings of fairy lights with unlimited rides on the diesel railcar. There was food and hot drinks available on the HST restaurant cars. All in all a great visit for a couple of hours · via Google [Jeffrey Soley](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/102921844771402723577/reviews) ★★★★★ Visited on Saturday 05th July 2025, HST Day, Colne Valley Railway. 5 HST Class 43 Power Cars on this small preserved railway. First time visit. Easy to find and decent car parking adjacent to the entrance. The ticket office incorporates the entrance, shop and small refreshment options, inc a seating area outside adjacent to both the outdoor model and small narrow gauge railway, which unfortunately wasn't open today due to a flood on the track. As this was a special HST power car running day there was one set of 2 power cars and a coach set inc a buffet car selling food on board. As the line is quite short, the service ran up and down without stopping at every pass of the single station. After a ride, we explored the rest of the site, inc the Museum, Signal Box (which was operating and the signalman was giving briefings on how the signals work). Attempted to use the advertised Woodland walk, but it was completely overground, which was disappointing as this was an open day and it's listed on the site map as a feature. Today's visit was a lovely chance to see the railway, and if you enjoy HST power cars, this is the place to come. What other locomotives and DMUs run on other days isn't clear, but worth a visit either way and as ever, the volunteers are the lifeblood of these railways. At £13 a ticket very reasonable to. · via Google [See all reviews on Google →](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m4!3m3!1s0x47d8f8216860c353:0x91ab7e03db1f249c!9m1!1b1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) Visitors say this heritage railway offers engaging train driver experiences, a captivating model railway, and well-preserved World War II exhibits. They also highlight the friendly and knowledgeable staff, who are often volunteers, making visits memorable. Guests mention the relaxed atmosphere and the delicious Victoria sponge cake available. Summary via Google ## At a glance **Address** Colne Valley Railway, Castle Hedingham Station, Yeldham Road, Castle Hedingham, Colne, CO9 3DZ [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=51.9946496%2C0.5822717) **Category** Railways & Transport **Guest rating** 4.5 / 5 (326 reviews) **Suitable for** Ages 0-12 **Setting** Indoor & outdoor **Good for children** Yes **Destination** Castle Hedingham [More attractions in Castle Hedingham](https://staycation.co.uk/castle-hedingham/attractions) ★ 4.5 (326 reviews) [Visit official website](https://www.colnevalleyrailway.co.uk/?utm_source=staycation.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=attraction) [01787 461174](tel:01787461174) (please mention staycation.co.uk when calling) ### Quick Facts **Destination** Castle Hedingham **Postcode** CO9 3DZ **Plus Code** 9F32XHVJ+VW [Directions ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//''/data=!4m7!4m6!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x47d8f8216860c353:0x91ab7e03db1f249c!3e0?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [More photos on Google ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x47d8f8216860c353:0x91ab7e03db1f249c!10e5?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [Write a review ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x47d8f8216860c353:0x91ab7e03db1f249c!12e1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) ### 🏨 Places to stay near Castle Hedingham Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com, with live prices. [Check availability →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DCastle%2BHedingham%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link [Hotels →](https://staycation.co.uk/castle-hedingham/hotels) [Camping →](https://staycation.co.uk/castle-hedingham/camping) ## Quick answers ### What are the opening hours of Colne Valley Railway? Colne Valley Railway is open Mon–Tue closed; Wed–Thu 10:30am–4:30pm; Fri closed; Sat–Sun 10:30am–4:30pm (from its Google listing; hours can change on bank holidays, so check before you go). ### Is Colne Valley Railway any good? Colne Valley Railway is rated 4.5 out of 5 from 326 Google reviews. ### Is Colne Valley Railway good for children? Yes, Colne Valley Railway is listed as good for children. ### Is Colne Valley Railway indoors or outdoors? Colne Valley Railway has both indoor and outdoor areas. ### What ages is Colne Valley Railway suitable for? Colne Valley Railway is best for ages 0-12. ### Is Colne Valley Railway wheelchair accessible? Colne Valley Railway has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and an accessible toilet. ### Is there parking at Colne Valley Railway? Yes: free car park. ### How do I contact Colne Valley Railway? Call Colne Valley Railway on +44 1787 461174. ## More near Colne Valley Railway ### Hotels & B&Bs nearby - [Castle View Rooms ★ 5.0 · 0.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/castle-hedingham/hotels/castle-view-rooms) - [Hedingham Old Pottery ★ 5.0 · 0.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/castle-hedingham/hotels/hedingham-old-pottery) - [The Waggon & Horses ★ 4.3 · 1.5 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/halstead/hotels/the-waggon-horses) - [The Suites at Pannells Ash ★ 5.0 · 1.7 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/castle-hedingham/hotels/the-suites-at-pannells-ash) ### Holiday cottages nearby - [Rookwoods 0.5 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/cottages/rookwoods-syk29621) - [The Cottage 0.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/cottages/the-cottage-uk51580) - [Vine Cottage 0.9 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/cottages/vine-cottage-syk15314) - [Chestnut Lodge 1.9 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/cottages/chestnut-lodge-uk47590) ### Campsites nearby - [Hedingham Huts ★ 5.0 · 1.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/halstead/camping/hedingham-huts) - [Gosfield Lake Resort ★ 4.4 · 4.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/halstead/camping/gosfield-lake-resort) - [Woodchests Glamping ★ 5.0 · 4.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/halstead/camping/woodchests-glamping) - [Clarks Farm Camping ★ 4.5 · 4.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/suffolk/camping/clarks-farm-camping) ### Things to do nearby - [Zero2 Bus Museum ★ 5.0 · 0.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/essex/attractions/zero2-bus-museum) - [Hedingham Castle ★ 4.6 · 0.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/castle-hedingham/attractions/hedingham-castle) - [Gosfield Lake Resort ★ 4.4 · 4.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/halstead/attractions/gosfield-lake-resort) - [Boydells Dairy Farm ★ 4.8 · 5.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/attractions/boydells-dairy-farm)