The railway was designed by Colonel Holman Stephens, a famous engineer who specialized in building low-cost, rural light railways.
The line originally ran from Robertsbridge to Headcorn, though today's heritage route operates primarily between Tenterden and Bodiam.
Rolvenden station houses the railway's carriage and wagon workshops, where many of the historic vehicles are restored by volunteers.
The route includes a crossing over the River Rother, which historically acted as a natural boundary between Kent and East Sussex.
The railway's Tenterden station museum contains artifacts from the line's early 20th-century history, including original signaling equipment.
The line was officially closed to passenger traffic by British Railways in 1961 before being revived by a volunteer preservation society.
Bodiam Station, the line's southern terminus, is located within walking distance of the 14th-century moated Bodiam Castle.
The Kent & East Sussex Railway is a preserved heritage railway operating vintage steam and diesel locomotives across 10.5 miles of track between Tenterden and Bodiam. Originally opened in 1900, it was the first light railway in the UK to be granted permission to operate under the Light Railways Act of 1896. The line traverses the Rother Valley, crossing the border between the counties of Kent and East Sussex. Tenterden Town Station serves as the primary hub, featuring a station museum, a refreshment room, and a gift shop. Passengers can ride in restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages. The line includes several intermediate stops, such as Northiam and Rolvenden, the latter of which functions as the railway's engineering headquarters. Much of the route follows the path of the original Colonel Holman Stephens railway, known for its quaint rural character. In 2026, the railway continues to operate a mix of scheduled service trains and special themed events.
The platform end at Tenterden Town Station, which captures the steam locomotive arriving against the backdrop of the station building.
Book your travel tickets online in advance to guarantee a seat on popular themed days.
Sit in a carriage towards the middle of the train to experience the smoothest ride and clearest views of the valley.
Visit the engineering workshops at Rolvenden if a viewing day is scheduled to see locomotives being serviced.
Do not assume all trains operate daily; check the timetable for specific 'Blue' or 'Red' calendar days as service levels vary significantly.
Operates primarily from spring through late autumn; operates on a reduced weekend-only schedule during off-peak winter months.
Avoid leaning out of open carriage windows while the train is in motion; observe all safety signage regarding platform yellow lines.
