Name: South Downs Light Railway
Rating: 5.0

South Downs Light Railway

South Downs Light Railway, Pulborough Garden Centre, Stopham Road, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1DS, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Welcome to the South Downs Light Railway, a 10 1/4 inch gauge miniature railway, is nestled in the grounds of a garden centre in Pulborough, West Sussex, right in the heart of the South Downs National Park. Since opening in 2000, the railway has become a beloved attraction, winding nearly a mile through the garden centre grounds, climbing a steep fourteen-foot-deep cutting, and passing through a tunnel.

Trains run from March to September and are usually hauled by a real coal burning steam locomotive. It’s great fun for adults and children alike. We are always working to improve the railway and over the last few years, have built a new station and ticket office, an engine shed and extended the carriage shed.

We have built a tunnel and added portals in 2017. The water tower with coal bunker, and the re-installation of our turntable are all now complete. The second extension to our carriage shed is now complete giving us some more space to house our rolling stock. You can find out more about what we’re doing and have done in the News section.

Prices starts from £2.50 for adults(15 and over) and £2.00 for Child(2yr to 14yr). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Journey

On entering the Ticket Office you can spot the genuine railway windows on either side of the door that came from the waiting room at Christ’s Hospital Station. Whilst the window from the General Waiting Room had plain glass that from the Ladies Room was frosted to preserve their modesty.
We take our seats on the train and wait for the guard to blow his whistle and wave the green flag. The driver acknowledges, checks that the signal is off, sounds his whistle and opens the regulator. There’s a great deal of steam from the front of the engine, which is because the cylinder drain cocks are open to dispel any water that may have condensed in the cylinders while the engine was stationary (failure to open the drain cocks can lead to serious damage being done).
The line curves to the left over the crossing to the swimming pool display area and, as the train gathers speed, we run parallel to the main road. The line now takes a sharp turn to the left past Hardham Crossing Signal Box where “Ted” is on duty and we re-enter the station on the inner loop. As the gantry signal is off the driver sounds his whistle and we pass the swimming pool entrance once more. Now the train goes over a bridge and turns left again through some trees where, on the right, we see a building used for the first time in December 2014 as Santa’s grotto. This is the new North Pole Station at Christmas time and Hardham Halt for the rest of the year. A further multi-purpose building has been erected here. Leaving this station we pass over Hardham crossing again and head north.
Immediately on our right we see the engine shed with its traverser, coal store and water crane. The line is now rising gently and the driver has the engine working harder as we pass the Carriage Shed on our right. The line divides here with a loop branching off to the left but we stay on the main line and go through the white gate and out into the country. The gradient becomes much steeper (it’s 1 in 47) and the exhaust note from the engine echoes back from the trees. There’s a glimpse, over the fields, of Pulborough Church. The cutting now becomes 14 feet deep and we can see the walls that have been built from reclaimed railway sleepers to stop the banks from slipping and the rabbits from digging deep burrows.
When we reach the summit (there’s a gradient post here) the driver sounds his whistle as we plunge into the darkness of the tunnel.
Emerging into the daylight again our train slowly descends through high banks on either side (it’s cold here in the winter!) and comes to a stop at a colour light signal that protects the road crossing ahead. When the light changes from red to yellow the train draws forward and re-enters the Garden Centre, curving first to the left and then on a long right hand curve to arrive back at the station.

Facilities

Parking: There is plenty of FREE on-site car parking.

What to see

Events:

Narrow Gauge Gala: 14th and 15th March 2026 – A special narrow gauge gala where you can expect to see our own narrow gauge locomotives, along with some special visitors. More details soon!
Easter Egg Hunt: 4th and 6th April 2026 – The Easter Egg Hunt is always very popular. Each child spotting the hidden “eggs” receives a chocolate treat.
Miniature Transport Weekend: 2nd and 3rd May 2026 – This new event has been very popular for the last two years. Come along and see our smaller locomotives (and visitors) running along with a number of miniature traction engines.
Teddy Bears’ Picnic: 4th and 5th July 2026 – The Teddy Bears’ Picnics reveal all the Railway’s resident teddy bears having fun and we invite families with their picnics to come and join them. Other attractions include swing boats, model railways, facepainting will all be here for all to enjoy. Ticket prices are £3 for both adults and children per train ride and includes a ride on the swing boats, fair games and a look around the model railway exhibitions. No need to book in advance, just show up at the ticket office on the day!
Diesel Gala: 22nd and 23rd August 2026 – A new event for 2026 is our Diesel Gala. Here we will showcase our home fleet of diesel, petrol and electric locomotives along with some visitors from other friendly railways.
End of Season Gala: 26th and 27th September 2026 – Come and celebrate the end of our 2026 season with us. We’ll run as many trains as we can – anything goes!
Santa Specials: December 2025 – The Santa season will soon be here again, more information to come later in the year.

For more information please visit: https://south-downs-railway.com/fares

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adults (15+): £2.50 or Saver Ticket (4 rides £7.50)
Children (2yr to 14yr): £2.00 or Saver Ticket (4 rides £6.00)
Under 2s: Free!!

South Downs Belle (limited availability)

Adults: £3.50
Children: £2.50

For more information please visit: https://south-downs-railway.com/fares

Pricing URL: https://south-downs-railway.com/fares

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Childrens Parties:

Looking for something different for that special birthday or celebration? At the South Downs Light Railway we have the answer!
You and your party guests can have exclusive use of a steam (or diesel) hauled train for up to an hour. The birthday boy or girl will have their name on a special engine headboard.
The party train runs after our normal operations on a Saturday, starting at 3:45pm. You are more than welcome to bring your own picnic/party food and make use of our picnic area, whilst watching the trains go by.
You may also hire the train for any celebration for any age, for example, a family get together or an adult’s special birthday.
If you would like to arrange a party or to find out more about what we can offer please ring Anne Jackson on 01403 273452 or 07518 753784 or email jacksonanne720@gmail.com

For more information please visit: https://south-downs-railway.com/childrens-parties

The Railway is open from March to September.
Trains run every 15 minutes between 11 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays and also on Wednesdays in the West Sussex school holidays.
The South Downs Belle runs at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month.
Santa Specials run on eight days in December.

Time may vary please check here:https://south-downs-railway.com/fares

Address: South Downs Light Railway, Pulborough Garden Centre, Stopham Road, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1DS, UK

Post Code: RH20 1DS

Council: Horsham

County: West Sussex

By road: There are easy connections to the main north/south routes (A23, A24 and A29), as well as the cross-country roads (A27 and A272). The South Downs Light Railway is located within the Pulborough Garden Centre, Stopham Road, Pulborough. The garden centre is approximately 1 mile west of the A29 on the A283 towards Petworth. There is plenty of FREE on-site car parking.
By train: Pulborough Station is served by Southern Railway trains from Victoria and the South Coast. The South Downs Light Railway is a short (0.7 mile) walk from the mainline station.
By bus: Stagecoach Bus No 1 runs between Worthing and Midhurst every hour and passes the Garden Centre.
Parking: There is plenty of FREE on-site car parking.