Thanks to Eastbourne's poor bus network, we did a lot of walking to get here (but it's well signposted for drivers). But we didn't need to go anywhere else that day. Fun miniature railway to ride on or just watch; models, slides, playground. Only one entrance/exit, so kids can run round and explore freely. All prices very modest, especially the cafe. Shop full of sensibly priced Thomas and other train toys. Lots for young kids, parents will get a nostalgia kick, teens might bore quickly. Excellent staff. Really good value day. Access to main area good unless you want to cross the railway (footbridge), there may be level alternative if you ask staff.

We came here for my sons 2nd birthday and it was an absolute hit! Although he refused to ride the train!
The play park is exciting but also felt safe, lots of slides and places to hide etc etc...there is also a bit for toddlers with lots of wooden Wendy houses - which my son loved running in and out of.
Plenty of benches to sit and eat/drink/chat.
My husband noticed there were lots of bins...and the place seemed really tidy...clearly the parents and kids are noticing them and using them - which is great!
There's an indoor bit with trains in glass cases, they are set up into working mini villages etc, you put 20p in and watch the trains whizz along - very entertaining for a train mad toddler. Also great for adults and kids, spotting all the cute tiny cars, trees, animals etc.
Certain trains run in certain days and they look good fun to go on - you travel round a lovely lake and go through tunnels - but my son really didn't want to go on so we didn't.
As i said there is a lake on the land too. You can walk round this - it's set up as a bit of a nature trail. There are a few more Wendy houses and play things on the round - a welcome surprise. We saw some people fishing and you can walk out to the edge of the little jetties round the lake. It's all very serene and peaceful - you really don't feel like you're in Eastbourne!
The cafe serves fine food at a very reasonable price but you're welcome to take a packed lunch, the toilets are well serviced and clean. The shop is lovely - but be prepared - train stuff isn't cheap! There are a few lower end gifts you can get away with buying if you're on a budget though.
Entrance in reasonable and if you live locally it's well worth getting a season ticket as it ridiculously cheap! £12 or something.
All in all it's a fab place for little ones and grown ups even if you don't get to ride a train.

We had an awesome day with our 2.5 year old. The park was practically empty so he had limitless use of the train! Spent about four hours there in all, money well spent :-)

We have been coming to the miniature railway since we have lived here. I try and pay for a year, because it's cheaper. You need to ask about annual pass. If u have more than 3 people in your family it must work out better for u. It certainly does for us. We are a small family of 3.

There's plenty of space to park your cars .there are 2 disabled spaces down by the gates if u wish to park there. If not people park on the grass

I have never seen another place like this around the country . I am so glad Eastbourne have you. Everyone can go on it, it's not just for children, it's for everyone. Doesn't matter how old you are. They are all dress up in the proper outfits , train driver at the front, with his hat on. They blow the whistle to let everyone know they are off. You must sit still, with your feet firmly on a ledge. There's also a conducter at the back to make sure everyone is safe and not playing around for health and safety.

You can have a drink, our favourite is a nice cup of hot tea with extra water to have another one. It's always very clean. It's family run. I always see them on the go, making sure tables are cleaned, and wipes down. They do food too, sandwiches, ice cream, drinks for the kids, chocolate .

There's a park too with climbing frames. There is Thomas the tank where u put £0.20pence in so u can watch the train go around. In the shed where they do parties as well. There are small trains also that takes 20p. Good for the children and see there face light up.

You have different sections for age groups. There are play houses.

Joshua loves going there. You can trust this lovely place because they are safe.

Memories that I used to go on swings, slides, kids will always love this.

You can walk all the way around the place. You can go Fishng too. It's a beautiful place.,

You can see the sunshine light up on the water. It's amazing.
We usually see this when we are on the train, or if u decide to walk round.
You can cross from one side of the path to the other. Listen out for the whistle, you will see the lights anyway telling u if u can cross

I always wave to everyone. The children wave back and u can see there smile.

There's also a shop which u can look at before u leave for the day.

They are really nice people, when I walk in, the daughter is always pleasant and it makes a huge difference.

Thanks for the memories over the years

You can check on the internet for the prices , because we have annual pass, we show them, you can buy tickets for the train too. They are £5 for 6 goes.

Have fun that's what life is all about

On entry,decided to buy a Years subscription.Excellent value.
Always clean and tidy,plenty of room for kids to run around,and plenty to do.
Miniature trains run very frequently,and is great fun.

The railway itself is well worth the visit. There's not just one miniature steam loco but many in a perfect railway setting. The track is a complete circuit with tunnel and bridge and meanders round the edge of a lake.

There is also a large childrens play area, cafe, shop and toilets and a free car park that can fill up at busy times.

Best visited in good weather as there is a walk round the lake

We love this attraction! It is a great little train to take the grandchildren on and fun parks for them to play at. Great value for money and friendly staff make this the ideal Saturday afternoon outing!

Loved it is many different Play parks for little ones, and then train complete with tunnel where all kids scream as though it's a roller coaster! Great day out

My children love this place, they enjoy riding on the train, walking round the lake and playing in the various play parks. Staff always seem friendly and good value for money as you can stay all day (in nice weather of course!).

Well run 7 1/4inch miniature railway with frequent trains on circuit round lake with tunnel, level crossings and girder bridge. For the railway enthusiasts they have some half a dozen steam locomotives including a superb Britannia Pacific and while only one or two will be in steam the others are out in the open on display.Also a couple of push-button to operate OO gauge layouts although these are not particularly special. For the rest there is a play park catering for up to 12s or so and a walk round the lake so for most people probably a couple of hours would be enough.
Adequate (Clean) toilet facilities, refreshments and shop. Refreshment area well kept and prices reasonable (Ice-creams cheaper than you would pay on the seafront).
Biggest attraction is that all staff from the ticket office to the trains seem fully signed up to the ethos that this is a family attraction and manage to combine friendliness with efficiency

This was our second visit with my 3 year old and 7 year old nephew. Staff welcoming and all the areas really clean and tidy. The kids loved it and it'll be one of our regular places to visit!

I liked this place and so did my grandson (he loves trains) trains fab and a great short ride on the sit on train (ladies wear trousers!) Make sure that you buy un-limited train ride tickets as you will have to go on a few times if you have young kids. Food offering seemed good with tables being cleared quickly. Great walks for the adults and playground with slides for the kids. I would not visit this place unless I had kids with me - I will visit agin though deffo!!

This place was fantastic for kids, the miniature train was lovely, the cost was just amazing £4-60 for adults and my grandson got in for free, included ride on the train, lovely play area and adventure through the woods and nature walk round the big lake, people sat fishing, had a lovely cream tea at the café, and then went into the shop, which wasn't too expensive, wish we had seen this place before, it was brilliant!

Super value, especially if you buy a season ticket. Lots of play equipment, little Wendy houses, geese and goslings by the lake. Pretty walks and the miniature railways... One you can ride and many more model ones to look at tootling round tracks.

We go every time we visit Eastbourne and it's always fun.

There is a reasonably priced cafe that makes light lunches - toasted sandwiches and filled baked potatoes etc.

The only drawback is there is not much cover, so not so great on a really wet day.

My brother and I with our three young boys, between the ages of 10 months and 3 years, made an impromptu visit to Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway.

First impressions; you can see continual reinvestment for such a contained outdoor park. Very clean and tidy. With the steam railway being the main focus, the family entrance fee was just £17.50 with one ride (which we thought would be enough for our little ones) or you can upgrade later for unlimited rides.

There are outdoor play areas for kids and a separate one for toddlers plus a few small indoor and one outdoor model train sets at 20p to operate.

It made for a pleasant Saturday afternoon out and the boys loved it.

What would be a good consideration is making it an all-weather attraction by including an indoor play area so if it rains, you can dive for cover instead of packing up for the day. I feel that this kind of venue possesses scope to expand.

Would I go back? Absolutely. I am sure we will be a regular visitor as our boys grow up.

Website could do with a little revamp as it doesn't give the attraction much justice.

With a membership of £12.5 , this place is such fantastic value. Kids under a certain age are free. My daughter who is 20 months, absolutely loves this place. We are here at least twice a week. The 'baby' play park is lovely and the grown up ones are also done well. All the little ones love the wooden play houses. The cafe is a reasonable price and so are the 20p machines. Havent managed a walk around the lake yet, as little one likes to run for the water!
Would definitely recommend this place, have bought annual passes for my parents too!

This is a great place if you have young kids. Season tickets are ridiculously cheap and the railway offers really good playgrounds, a nice lakeside walk, steam train rides and a nice cafe. This place should really be on your list for places to take 2-10 year olds for an afternoon or just an hour after school.

My family and I are regular visitors to the area and every time we come our children always ask to go to Eastbourne miniature railway. They always enjoy the whole day. There always seems to be a new addition to the play area. It is well worth buying the ticket option that includes limitless train rides if your kids enjoy trains. The entry price is very good value and the cafe offers good food at reasonable prices. Fantastic day out for the whole family!

This is one of the better places to take smaller children it is clean, well equipped, friendly. There is a small café which is reasonable. The whole day was very good value for money.

Fantastic for young children. Miniature train rides lots of fun, good quality play area and nice riverside walk.

Took our grandson here today. It's an excellent place with a five-year-old, great playground, great little train ride lovely picnic area and the toilets are absolutely superb. The cleanest I have seen in this type of facility. All the staff we encountered were friendly and the cafe serves excellent food and well priced. Easy to spend a whole day here. A bargain day out.

Took the four year old grandson to this excellent attraction and found it even better than when we had visited with his sister four years ago. The Wadey family really do try to maintain very high standards and don't skimp on quality equipment. Good picnic facilities in a great setting, a wide range of sturdy equipment, the excellent railway experience - it all smacks of care and attention. Toilets are impeccable

As a resident of eastbourne, all my life, I was somewhat 'late to the game' with Eastbourne Miniature Railway, however, I am pleased to say it was worth the wait.
An annual pass is only £12.50 per person, which gives the holder access to the parks, picnic sites, and reduced rates for riding the train.
We took our daughter (only 16 months) on the train, and have to say although the train went a little bit faster than i had anticated, it was great fun, i think i may have even enjoyed it more than she did.
We walked round the lake, investigated some of the quieter playareas, and then played in the main playareas, which seemed very popular. Picnic benches are available on many different areas, so you are able to take your own, rather than make use of the on-site cafe, which i have to say, was well priced. I did sample some of their hot dog and scone, and both were nice.
We were actually given our annual passes as a gift from a family member, but can honestly say that we would have bought our own, if we didnt already have them.
Thank you for a fun morning out.

been lotsof times,cheap enough,a lovely location with pleasant walks,food and shop nice,trains are fun,playgroung is great but its lacking something,you sort of run out of things to do after 3/4 hour and beware if theres a bit of rain ,we paid for unlimited rides on the train ,there was a shower and everything went back in the sheds and didnt come back out.wed only just arrived so were a bit peeved.still thats not their fault.
worth a visit

Last time I visited must have been 18 years ago...and wow the place has changed ALOT! perfect for my 3 year old daughter. Average price for entry adds up quite a bit if you have a few children but if its somewhere you would visit often membership works out a lot cheaper. Great train ride and perfect surroundings, lots of side attractions for the little ones (remember to take your 20 pence pieces- great value for money but I kept running out of 20ps ). There are several different play parks from toddlers through to the older ones.
Brilliant little café serving an array of light bite lunches...however I would take a picnic if the weather is nice as there are some great little spots down by the river with picnic tables.
All in all a brilliant day out