Elham Valley Countryside Centre and Railway Museum

About the museum

The Elham Valley Line Trust was formed in 1984 to preserve the history of the Elham Valley railway, to keep countryside crafts alive and to offer educational facilities. The railway ran between Canterbury and Folkestone: work began in 1884, the line opened in 1889 and closed in 1947, and it was taken up in 1953. The trust is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers.

The railway museum opened in 1990 in a recreated 1930s station. Visitors can see the waiting room, ticket office and platform, a model railway of the whole route, an exhibition on how the Channel Tunnel affected the area, and a signal box where they can pull the original levers. Outdoor exhibits include rolling stock, and a miniature railway runs on selected days.

The countryside centre is in George's Barn, a barn about 290 years old that was moved from land now under the Channel Tunnel terminal and rebuilt beside the museum; restoration began in 1993 and the centre was completed in 2011. It displays tools and household items, and craftspeople give demonstrations. The Tangled Trail, a nature walk past a dipping pond, links the barn and the museum, and the grounds also have a crazy golf course.

Highlights

• Recreated 1930s Elham Valley Line station
• Model railway of the whole line from Canterbury to Folkestone
• Signal box with original lever frame that visitors can try
• George's Barn, a 290-year-old barn moved from the Channel Tunnel site
• Tangled Trail nature walk, dipping pond and crazy golf

Permanent exhibitions

• Railway Museum – A recreated 1930s station on the Elham Valley Line with a model railway of the route, a Channel Tunnel exhibition, a signal box and outdoor rolling stock.
• George's Barn – Countryside centre in a 290-year-old barn with displays of tools and household items and demonstrations of traditional crafts.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Elham Valley Line Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is charged, but the website gives no figures; the visit includes the countryside centre, the railway museum, crazy golf and, on operating days, miniature railway rides. Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The website gives no accessibility information; please contact the trust before visiting.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Families can pull the signal-box levers, play crazy golf, go pond dipping and ride the miniature railway on selected days. Events include an Easter bunny hunt, Miniature Steam Week in May and a Spooky Weekend. Birthday parties can be arranged.

Getting there & parking

George's Barn is the main entrance; the railway museum is a short walk away along the Tangled Trail. The site is in the village of Peene, near Newington, Folkestone.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A gift shop sells railway books, model trains and local history publications; food and drink are available on site.

Events & venue rental

Hire is not advertised.

Plan your visit