Railway Experiences
Travel with the driver or learn to drive one of our beautiful steam locomotives yourself right here at Exbury Gardens!
Ideal for the first time driver whether it's to mark a special occasion, provide the perfect gift, or fulfil that lifelong dream, we can't wait to welcome you aboard.
Please be aware that the footplate is a small space with an open coal fire, and a step up to access. If yourself or the person you are booking for has mobility issues or if there are any other circumstances we should be made aware of please contact us before booking on admin@exbury.co.uk or 02380 891203.
Footplate Experience
Opened in 2001, Exbury Gardens’ 12 ¼” gauge railway offers you the opportunity to drive a coal-fired steam locomotive on our picturesque Rhododendron Line, which has recently been extended from approximately 1 ¼ miles to 1 ½ miles in length. At this scale all of our locomotives are of a practical size, with comfortable, seated cabs and ergonomically designed control layouts.
The track offers plenty of opportunities to take in the surrounding scenery, running alongside our Rock Garden (the largest of its kind in Europe) and across a viaduct to Exbury North station in the American Garden. You will also be able to drive your engine through our Summer Lane Garden, which is an area of the gardens only accessible by train.
Your footplate experience also includes garden admission and steam train tickets for two friends or family.
The footplate experience costs £495 for a whole day of 1:1 tuition with one of our experienced drivers.
Once we receive your booking we will be in touch to organise a date for your Footplate experience.
Please note that dates are dependant on driver availability, and we do not offer the Footplate experience between mid-April to the end of May or at October half term.
Ride with the Driver Experience
Experience our wonderful steam engines from the driver’s footplate, for two full circuits of our Rhododendron line.
The Ride with the Driver experience is £50.
Once we receive your booking we will be in touch to organise a date for your Ride with the Driver Experience. Please note that dates are dependant on driver availability.
