# East Kent Railway, Dover — Opening Hours, Reviews & Visitor Info

> Step aboard vintage carriages at Shepherdswell for a nostalgic journey through Kent's scenic landscape, complete with accessible facilities, onsite dining and free parking for families.

Source: https://staycation.co.uk/dover/attractions/east-kent-railway (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version.

Tourist Attraction

# East Kent Railway

Station Road, Shepherdswell

[View on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=13748669838520130594&g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA)

Photo: [East Kent Railway Trust](https://maps.google.com/maps/contrib/109158272567706663224)

**In short:** East Kent Railway is an attraction in Dover, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 632 Google reviews.

Details checked 1 September 2026 · source: Google Places

## About East Kent Railway

Step aboard vintage carriages at Shepherdswell for a nostalgic journey through Kent's scenic landscape, complete with accessible facilities, onsite dining and free parking for families.

## What's nearby

- Colonel’s Café next door
- Co-op Food - Shepherdswell - Eythorne Road 300m away
- 18th Dover (Shepherdswell) Scout Group (Dover District Scouts HQ) 350m away
- Sheperdswell Pre School 350m away

Distances as the crow flies, via Google

## Good to know

### Parking

- ✓Free car park
- ✓Free street

### Accessibility

- ✓Accessible parking
- ✓Accessible entrance
- ✓Accessible toilet
- ✓Accessible seating

### Payment

- ✓Credit cards
- ✓Debit cards
- ✓Contactless

Details via Google — worth confirming with the attraction before you travel, especially for access needs.

## Photos

Photos via Google

## Opening hours

**Monday** Closed

**Tuesday** 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

**Wednesday** 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

**Thursday** 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

**Friday** 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

**Saturday** 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

**Sunday** 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours.

## What visitors say

[Seb Ward](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/114711459014566804695/reviews) ★★★★★

We took our son to the East Kent Railway to participate in a Train Driving Experience, which we purchased in advance as a birthday present. We arrived a little earlier than we needed to be and took the opportunity to have a drink in the cafe before heading out. This was a hands-on 1-2-1 session with Glen as our instructor. Whilst our son was undertaking the experience we were allowed to stay onboard and watch him in the cab operating the train. The experience was fantastic and our son thoroughly enjoyed himself operating the Pacer. Part of the track passes through a gated railway crossing and the people who stopped were taking photos of the passing Pacer train. Overall the experience lasted in excess of 2.5hours, and we felt it was well worth the money considering that it is a 1-2-1 experience and all the time spent hand on with the train. So if you are a train enthusiast and always wanted to try your hand at driving, then we can think of nothing better than an experience at East Kent Railway.

· via Google

[Laura Wood](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/110210112570562907875/reviews) ★★★★★

Such a lovely place. We had an amazing reasonably priced lunch in the cafe before Santa train. They didn't pack people in and although sold out there was lots of space. The elf on the train was very enthusiastic. If you are going make sure you visit the cafe.

· via Google

[Paul Hewitt](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/103294143139375083024/reviews) ★★★★★

What a lovely sunny afternoon at the Shepherdswell terminus of the EKLR. Lots to see and do for free without getting on a train to Eythorne but make sure you make a donation to this worthy cause to keep this attraction and its history alive. A ride on the 2 miniature railways is very reasonably priced as well. Had a nice cup of tea at the Colonels Cafe afterwards. Didn't know this all existed until I looked on Google Maps the morning before deciding where to go for the afternoon. Our Dog was very welcome as well and was made a fuss of at the Cafe.

· via Google

[Hannah Vasquez](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/108304478137051267806/reviews) ★★★★★

We had a wonderful experience here for the easter event. We loved exploring the whole site including a lovely woodland walk and took the train ride to eythorne. We were able to pay for most things by card but beware the minature trains need cash.

· via Google

[See all reviews on Google →](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m4!3m3!1s0x47deb0b0d4cd8297:0xbecd165fe31e9c22!9m1!1b1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA)

Visitors say this railway offers a variety of trains, including diesel locos, coaches, and freight wagons, along with miniature train rides and woodland walks. They also highlight the good cafe with reasonably priced food and drinks, and the friendly, helpful staff. Guests mention the well-maintained facilities and the option to explore the site on non-running days.

Summary via Google

## At a glance

**Address** Station Road, Shepherdswell, Dover, CT15 7PD [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=51.1896782%2C1.2302225)

**Category** Railways & Transport

**Guest rating** 4.6 / 5 (632 reviews)

**Suitable for** All Ages

**Setting** Indoor & outdoor

**Good for children** Yes

**Toilets on site** Yes

**Destination** Dover

[More attractions in Dover](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/attractions)

★ 4.6 (632 reviews)

[Visit official website](https://www.eastkentrailway.co.uk?utm_source=staycation.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=attraction)

[01304 832042](tel:01304832042)

(please mention staycation.co.uk when calling)

### Quick Facts

**Destination** Dover

**Postcode** CT15 7PD

**Payment** Cards, Contactless

**Plus Code** 9F3356QJ+V3

[Directions ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//''/data=!4m7!4m6!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x47deb0b0d4cd8297:0xbecd165fe31e9c22!3e0?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [More photos on Google ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x47deb0b0d4cd8297:0xbecd165fe31e9c22!10e5?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [Write a review ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x47deb0b0d4cd8297:0xbecd165fe31e9c22!12e1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA)

### 🏨 Places to stay near Dover

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%3DDover%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom)

Affiliate link

[Hotels →](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/hotels) [Camping →](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/camping)

## Quick answers

### What are the opening hours of East Kent Railway?

East Kent Railway is open Mon closed; Tue–Sun 9am–4pm (from its Google listing; hours can change on bank holidays, so check before you go).

### Is East Kent Railway any good?

East Kent Railway is rated 4.6 out of 5 from 632 Google reviews.

### Is East Kent Railway good for children?

Yes, East Kent Railway is listed as good for children.

### Is East Kent Railway indoors or outdoors?

East Kent Railway has both indoor and outdoor areas.

### What ages is East Kent Railway suitable for?

East Kent Railway suits all ages.

### Is East Kent Railway wheelchair accessible?

East Kent Railway has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and an accessible toilet.

### Is there parking at East Kent Railway?

Yes: free car park and free street parking.

### How do I contact East Kent Railway?

Call East Kent Railway on +44 1304 832042.

## More near East Kent Railway

### Hotels & B&Bs nearby

- [The Lydden Bell ★ 4.6 · 1.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/hotels/the-lydden-bell)
- [Broome Park Hotel ★ 4.2 · 2.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/hotels/broome-park-hotel)
- [Holiday Inn Dover ★ 4.1 · 3.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/hotels/holiday-inn-dover)
- [The Marquis at Alkham ★ 4.5 · 3.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/hotels/the-marquis-at-alkham)

### Holiday cottages nearby

- [A Bit on the Side 2.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/cottages/a-bit-on-the-side-30373)
- [The Stable 2.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/cottages/the-stable-uk31357)
- [Sleepy Hollow 2.9 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/cottages/sleepy-hollow-syk1063676)
- [Old Chalksole Cottages - Dairy Cottage ★ 4.9 · 3.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/cottages/old-chalksole-cottages-dairy-cottage-ukc409)

### Campsites nearby

- [Coxhill Camping ★ 4.8 · 0.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/camping/coxhill-camping)
- [Pheasants Den Glamping ★ 5.0 · 1.5 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/camping/pheasants-den-glamping)
- [Courtlands Camping and Glamping ★ 4.5 · 2.5 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/camping/courtlands-camping-and-glamping)
- [Plough and Harrow ★ 4.2 · 3.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/tilmanstone/camping/plough-and-harrow)

### Things to do nearby

- [Dover Transport Museum ★ 4.8 · 3.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/attractions/dover-transport-museum)
- [Dover District Leisure Centre ★ 4.3 · 4.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/attractions/dover-district-leisure-centre)
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- [Gamebase ★ 4.8 · 5.5 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/dover/attractions/gamebase)