Lavender Line

Lavender Line The Lavender Line is a small preserved railway that boasts a fantastic family atmosphere.

We have a newly refurbished tea room offering, light lunch and selection of home baked cakes.

17/06/2026

🚂🎉 Celebrate Father's Day at the Lavender Line!

We're open this Sunday 21st June and would love to welcome you aboard for a fantastic family day out.

Treat Dad to a ride behind our heritage trains, enjoy the sights and sounds of a traditional railway, and make some special memories together this Father's Day. Whether you're a railway enthusiast or simply looking for something different to do with the family, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

🚂 Trains running throughout the day from 11am
☕️ Tearoom open from 10am
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun for all ages

Come and join us at the Lavender Line this Sunday – we look forward to seeing you!

Our final volunteer profile of Volunteers Week is the lovely Su Clark.Su has been volunteering since 2008 - although it'...
07/06/2026

Our final volunteer profile of Volunteers Week is the lovely Su Clark.

Su has been volunteering since 2008 - although it's been so long she can't really remember. Su has done everything from firing the steam engine to guarding and working in the tearoom. She is now happiest digging holes!

07/06/2026

🚂 All aboard! The Lavender Line is open today! 🚂

Join us for a nostalgic trip through the Sussex countryside and enjoy a ride behind our historic trains. Whether you're a railway enthusiast, looking for a family day out, or simply fancy a visit to our tearoom, we'd love to welcome you.

🌿 Trains running throughout the day from 11am
☕ Tearoom open for refreshments
📸 Plenty of opportunities for photos and railway memories

Our dedicated volunteers are ready to make your visit a special one. Come along and support your local heritage railway!

We look forward to seeing you today at The Lavender Line.

It is with great pleasure to introduce todays volunteer - David Hopkins. David Hopkins joined the Lavender Line in 1997...
04/06/2026

It is with great pleasure to introduce todays volunteer - David Hopkins.

David Hopkins joined the Lavender Line in 1997 and has been an active volunteer since 1998, making him one of the organisation’s longest‑serving members.

He initially helped with general duties before training as a guard. A few years later, he was invited to become a diesel driver, and after completing his training, he was passed out to drive three of the railway’s locomotives.

Alongside his operational roles as both guard and driver, David also took on the position of Administration Officer, while continuing to assist with various other tasks as needed.

He has always enjoyed his time at the Lavender Line, describing it as a friendly and welcoming group that feels very much like a family.

Now in his later years, David has stepped back from safety‑critical roles. However, he remains an active part of the railway and can often be found tending the station garden.

04/06/2026

Happy Thursday everyone! Due to circumstances beyond our control we are having to change our engine for our next open day on June 7th. We will now be using our Thumper Unit 1133 for our passenger services. Trains start at 11am and run every 30 minutes with the last train at 3:30pm (subject to passenger numbers). We hope to see you soon!

Next up we have Richard Eldrett.Richard has been visiting the Lavender Line since 1986 and joined as a volunteer nearly ...
03/06/2026

Next up we have Richard Eldrett.

Richard has been visiting the Lavender Line since 1986 and joined as a volunteer nearly a year ago. He decided to get involved because it is such a friendly and welcoming heritage railway. He currently volunteers as a Ticket Inspector and is now also training as a Guard, which he is thoroughly enjoying. Richard has been a railway enthusiast for as long as he can remember and has spent many years travelling around the country enjoying trains and railways. This interest has extended to his working life with mainline railways for the last 22 years.

Some of Richard’s favourite locomotives include the Deltics and Southern Railway steam locomotives and of course the Lavender Line’s Thumper and Lady Lisa!

02/06/2026

🚂 Whatever the weather, we've got your Sunday covered! ☀️🌦️🌧️

The Lavender Line and our friends, Riley's Miniature Railway, will be open this Sunday, 7th June, with our beautiful steam locomotive Lady Lisa in action.

Come along for a nostalgic steam train ride through the Sussex countryside, enjoy a visit to our tearoom, and spend some quality time with family and friends. Whether it's sunshine or showers, there's always something special about a day at the railway!

🚂 First train departs at 11:00am

We look forward to welcoming you aboard this Sunday!

Next up we have Sam Ridley - Sam is one of our younger volunteers and has been with us for about 18 months.Sam has alway...
02/06/2026

Next up we have Sam Ridley - Sam is one of our younger volunteers and has been with us for about 18 months.

Sam has always been interested in railways from a very young age - he describes the interest as an 'itch' and the Lavender Line scratches it!

He current volunteers by helping restore our rolling stock with most of his time devoted to our 3-CIG unit no.1497. Our team of volunteers have shared the knowledge they have about the unit itself and about coach working - and they are keen to have an extra pair of hands helping with the project. He tells me that what he lacked in practical experience is compensated by his ability to drink tea!

There are numerous duties which require volunteers! From helping in our tea room and shop, to driving and guarding trains on our open days. There's a role for everyone!

Hopefully we'll see you here soon!

As this week is National Volunteers' Week we thought it would be a perfect time to introduce you to some of our wonderfu...
01/06/2026

As this week is National Volunteers' Week we thought it would be a perfect time to introduce you to some of our wonderful volunteers. First up with have Richard Matthews.

Rich is a lifelong railway enthusiast, with particular interest in the railways of Southern England - having travelled extensively in the region and beyond, since the late 1970s, with his late father who was a British Transport Police officer based at Brighton Station. Rich has been visiting the Lavender Line since 1989 (there is photographic evidence) and has been volunteering with us for just under two years.

Rich is our treasurer and a trustee, as well as a fully trained guard - he can also be found in the shop, tearoom and in the kitchen!

We are always looking for volunteers - especially for our tearoom. If you are interested please drop us a message.

While the trains aren't running today, there's still plenty happening behind the scenes at the Lavender Line! 🚂🔧Our fant...
31/05/2026

While the trains aren't running today, there's still plenty happening behind the scenes at the Lavender Line! 🚂🔧

Our fantastic volunteers are onsite carrying out essential maintenance and restoration work to help keep the railway running safely and looking its best for future operating days. From track and infrastructure work to carriage and locomotive maintenance, every task helps preserve our railway for generations to come.

We were also delighted to welcome a visit from Railtrail Tours today, giving their guests the opportunity to see the hard work and dedication that goes into keeping a heritage railway alive.

A huge thank you to all of our volunteers for their continued commitment and enthusiasm – the Lavender Line simply couldn't operate without you! 💜

Address

Isfield Street
Isfield
TN225XB

Telephone

+441825750515

Website

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