Spa Valley Railway Beer Festival 2026, Tunbridge Wells

Combining heritage steam trains with a vast selection of beer, the Spa Valley Railway Beer Festival is one of the most distinctive events on the Kentish autumn calendar. Based at West Station in Royal Tunbridge Wells, it invites visitors to ride restored trains between stations along the line, each stop offering its own bar and atmosphere. The 2026 festival runs from Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October, opening on Thursday evening and continuing across the weekend, with entry complimentary on the opening night. The scale is impressive, with around 230 real ales on offer plus a large showing of Kent green hop beers, brewed with freshly picked hops in a tradition unique to this corner of England, alongside keg beers and a generous cider list. Whether you come for the trains, the beer or the sheer novelty of drinking your way along a working railway, it is a memorable outing that celebrates two much-loved British pastimes. More information: https://spavalleyrailway.co.uk/events/real-ale-cider-festival/