Watercress Line Railway Dining

My son and I enjoyed a trip on the Real Ale Train (The RAT) which has become an annual pilgrimage to this historic preserved steam railway. We enjoyed an excellent evening with an excellent range of Real Ales and a hot curry, despite having to enlist the help of family to get us there and back as a result of industrial action by members of the RMT union, on the Main Line.

I went on a group coach trip from Kent and had lunch on the return trip from Alresford, which included gluten free options. The train ride was lovely and the volunteers who served us were delightful. The ham and cheese ploughman lunches were nicely presented and very tasty. I highly recommend this restaurant.

If steam trains.harry Potter,railways , nostalgia are your interest then the Watercress Line has all of the above. I had a wonderful day out and enjoyed Arlesford which a beautiful place to wander around and enjoy all the shops.

The food and service at this restaurant was excellent, especially considering that the staff are unpaid volunteers. We chose the vegetarian option, which was prepared beautifully and enjoyed with a few glasses of wine. It is definitely worth a visit. A big thank you to the volunteers who took such good care of us.

They responded to 1 email stating the pricewas £18 but when booking it was £20 pp. They wouldn't respond to further emails or answer the phone. Whilst the train goes to Arlesford you can't get off it there. Their website and leaflet says explore the colourful town of Arlesford or walk along the River Aire. The staff whilst very polite said it's not a hop on hop off service any more and we had to stay on the train. The train doesn't stop at Medstead and Four Marks. The carriage restoration viewing gallery and loco shed viewing galleries are closed. The train was very dirty inside and outside. It was not worth the money and bitterly disappointed.