Rail Ale Festival 2026

Get ready to step back in time and savour the best of both worlds at the GWSR Rail Ale Festival.

Join us for a unique blend of historic charm and craft brews as our steam railway comes to life with the rich aromas and flavours of real ale and cider. Whether you're a passionate ale enthusiast or just looking for a delightful day out, this festival is your perfect ticket to a memorable experience.

Here is what's on offer! 

We are once again teaming up with our friends from the North Cotswold branch of CAMRA to bring you up to 50 ales and a good variety of ciders. While many ales local to Gloucestershire will be on offer, a number of guest beers from London and the Home Counties area are being sourced, providing an excellent range of beers at both Toddington and Winchcombe.

Soft drinks and hot and cold food will also be available at both Winchcombe and Toddington.

On Friday 12th June a special timetable will be in operation, enabling you to arrive from either Broadway or Cheltenham in time for the opening of the bars at 1200. One steam and one diesel locomotive will be in operation between Broadway and Cheltenham, with an additional diesel locomotive operating a shuttle service between Toddington and Winchcombe, calling at Hayles Abbey Halt – these trains will then provide a frequent service between the two bars.

While the Winchcombe bar will close at 1815, visitors can catch the 1820 service to Toddington and enjoy a relaxed evening, with the Cotswold Halt open until 1900 to serve food and soft drinks and the bar until 1915.

The last train to Broadway will depart from Toddington at 1833 and to Cheltenham Racecourse at 1930.

On Saturday 13th June a ‘Red Plus’ timetable will operate during the day, with two steam locomotives operating between Cheltenham and Broadway and a diesel locomotive shuttling between Toddington and Winchcombe, calling at Hayles Abbey Halt. This will provide a frequent service between Toddington and Winchcombe throughout the day. Bars at Toddington and Winchcombe will be open from 1030 and close at 1830, with The Cotswold Halt also open until 1800.

The last train from Toddington to Broadway departs at 1726 and to Cheltenham Racecourse at 1820.

The last train from Winchcombe to Broadway departs at 1713 and to Cheltenham Racecourse at 1832.

On the Sunday 14th June both bars (subject to availability) will be open to sell any remaining beer from 1100. While we cannot guarantee a full range of beer will be available, every effort will be made to ensure a good selection of ales remain and this will offer an ideal way to finish the weekend. Bars will close at 1500, or earlier if beer supply is exhausted. On the rail side a normal green timetable will operate with one steam locomotive and one diesel locomotive operating.

Normal train fares apply on all days and there will be free entry to the festival with a valid train ticket for the day of your visit. Members and Shareholder vouchers will also be valid. If you are not travelling on the trains, but wish to sample the beer at either station, we ask you buy a platform ticket priced at just £5.

To make purchases at the bar’s beer tokens must be purchased from CAMRA representatives. These will be valid at both bars and on all days of the festival. Unused tokens can be refunded or donated to charity at the end of your visit. You will also be required to purchase a glass from CAMRA representatives at £2 each.