Tour Operators and Coach Companies
We are receiving increasing numbers of group bookings both from tour operators and private groups, and some dates in 2024 are already fully booked. To avoid disappointment, if you are considering a group booking this year, we recommend you contact our group bookings team as soon as possible. We will always do our best to help but on occasions we may have to offer alternative times or dates. Thank you for your understanding.
Every year we are pleased to see that an increasing number of tour operators and coach companies include a visit to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway as part of their tour programme. It's easy to see why. Not only does the experience of travelling on a heritage railway hauled by a steam locomotive evoke many memories, but add to this a gentle trip through the glorious Cotswold countryside and you have the prescription for a perfect day out. The 24 mile return trip between our stations at Cheltenham Racecourse and Toddington takes from an hour and a half, the single trip about 35 minutes. For more information about possible journeys, see our 2024 calendar and timetable.
Cheltenham Race Course station is situated in the grounds of the racecourse itself, about a mile out of town, and has plenty of free parking.
Winchcombe Station is about a mile outside the town of Winchcombe. Facilities at this station include a 1950's style coffee shop and toilets.
Toddington Station, about a 10 minute drive north-east of Winchcombe, has a large, free car-park. There is a GWSR shop and a small museum as well as a children's play area and the Flag and Whistle tea room, serving hot and cold snacks all day.
Our northern terminus is at Broadway, the popular Cotswold tourist destination. Coaches can drop off at this station. Parking is available in the chargeable public car park opposite.
We have access and facilities for disabled visitors. You may find our Accessibility page helpful.
Generous discounts are available for groups who book in advance, and for parties of 30 or more. We will be happy to discuss your requirements and we will tailor our pricing according to your needs. For instance if you don't differentiate between different age groups when pricing your tours, we can quote one single price; just let us know. The tour guide and, if applicable, the driver can of course travel free with your party, or the driver can alternatively obtain a refreshment voucher at the station.
Please note that the group booking discounts, free driver and tour guide travel and reserved seats on the train are available only if the visits are pre-booked. They are not available should groups arrive on the day without any prior reservation.
We can take bookings at very short notice if seats are still available, but we would advise booking as early as possible to secure the dates and times you require. To make a booking please email us at grouptravel@gwsr.com with your requirements and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We will then send you a booking confirmation by email and ensure seats are reserved for your party on the appropriate train.
There is a buffet car on every train (subject to volunteer availability) serving a selection of snacks and drinks, but if you wish to pre-book, cakes or other light refreshments on the train, please let us know what you would like by email to the above address. We will then get back to you to discuss details. However, please note that we will not be able to provide pre-booked on-train catering for groups at weekends or during the month of August.
You can read our full terms and conditions for group bookings here.
Group Bookings
We are happy that our passenger numbers over recent years have gone from strength to strength and we are enjoying increasing numbers of bookings both from tour operators and private groups. You may have a special anniversary in the near future or you may wish to plan a surprise party for a friend or relative, or you may be part of an association which organises special days out. Whatever the reason, a day spent with the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is always a great experience.
Therefore, if you are planning a group booking this year we would strongly suggest, to avoid disappointment, contact our booking team as soon as possible. We will always do our best to accommodate your wishes; however on occasions we may have to offer alternative times or dates.
Parties of 10 or more passengers are eligible for discounted fares. When travelling by coach we offer concessionary travel to both coach drivers and tour guides. In addition, wherever possible your seating will be reserved allowing your party to sit together throughout your journey. Group booking discounts, concessionary travel and seat reservations are only available for pre-booked parties.
As part of your day's visit to the railway, we can provide refreshments either at the tea rooms situated at Winchcombe, Broadway and Toddington Stations, or if you prefer, on the train itself while you are watching the countryside pass by. There are also refreshments available at Cheltenham Station. We pride ourselves that we are a volunteer run railway and as such all bookings for refreshments are subject to availability. Please also note that we will not be able to provide pre-booked on-train catering for groups at weekends or during the school summer holidays.
To make a group booking, please e-mail us at grouptravel@gwsr.com with your enquiry. We will deal with your enquiry during normal office hours and get back to you as soon as possible.
Group bookings are available for all days other than special event dates coloured gold in our 2024 timetable. For enquiries about visits on such dates, please email grouptravel@gwsr.com.
Group rates are not available for evening events or lunchtime fish and chips specials.
If you are bringing a group of children or vulnerable adults to the Railway, you may wish to conduct a risk assessment prior to your visit. For your convenience, we have prepare a standard Risk Assessment form which will help you with this process.
You can read our full terms and conditions for group bookings here.
WWII Evacuation experience
The fully escorted educational evacuation experience will include a steam train journey to the 'safety of the countryside' plus (subject to availability):
- Presentation by Museum Education staff in role, showing a range of wartime items.
- Firefighting practice.
- Air raid experience including short stay in 'air raid shelter'.
- A short video of real WWII evacuees talking about their experiences.
- 1940s picnic lunch (appropriate food to be provided by school/parents).
- Final allocation of the children to their 'farming occupations and accommodation'
Pupils and staff should come dressed in 1940s style costume with an identity label, gas mask box, suitcase or pillow-case for belongings, and suitable wartime lunch.
- Evacuation Experience Dates: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from April to early July and September to October - please contact schoolvisits@gwsr.com
- Start Time: 09.30
- Finish Time: 14.00 approx
- 2025 Costs: £14 per child; all required accompanying adults free of charge
- Group Size: Normally a minimum of 20 pupils up to 33 pupils approx
- Availability: Up to 3 Groups per day
- Booking: Contact School Bookings Coordinator at Email: schoolvisits@gwsr.com, use our Contact Form (Select Option 'School Visits') or telephone GWR Enquiries 01242 621405 and ask for a call-back from the School Bookings Coordinator
You can download this information as a pdf by clicking here.
To help with your visit to the railway, teachers can download our Risk Assessment.
