Avon Valley Railway (Bitton Station)

A lovely heritage railway with plenty of character! The volunteers are really friendly and knowledgeable, and you can tell they put a lot of passion into keeping everything running. The steam and diesel trains are beautifully maintained, and it’s a great way to step back in time. There’s a small café on site for a cuppa and a bite to eat, and the station itself has a lot of charm. A brilliant day out for families, railway enthusiasts, or anyone looking for something a bit different. Highly recommended!

This is a great little station to visit. You can take a ride on the steam/diesel trains when they are running. The cycle path runs parallel, so you can walk the journey and see the trains from path if you prefer. The carriages are old and made of wood. Very nostalgic and cool. The staff wear lovely uniforms and are helpful, polite and knowledgeable. There's a cafe at the station, a large car park, public toilets and a small playground a few minutes walk away. It's a great day out for both adults and children.

Wildly underwhelming. Considering this was the best part of £100 for two people it was not what was expected at all. The steam train had been replaced with a diesel engine which wasn't communicated at all by the staff- the party only found out when the train turned up. Train ride was a 5 to 10 minute ride in one direction, a long wait at the platform, 5 to 10 min ride back to the start with another wait and then 5 mins in the other direction followed by yet more waiting. They were going to repeat this but it was extremely warm and uncomfortable so we didn't bother. Afternoon tea was average at best. Cream for the scone was completely frozen. There was no alternative to the alcoholic drink offered on arrival which neither of our party could drink. Even when asked for, no alternative drink was given, we were just told to buy a drink. Overall wouldn't recommend, save your money.

Easy to find. Lots of parking available on the day we went. Cafe serving hot and cold drinks, food and ice-cream. Loved the addition of having some of the cafe seating in a refurbished carriage. Also the memorabilia near the cafe.

Really lovely station and train ride. We booked an in train dining experience (cream teas). Lovely staff and service. Lovely views. Great to have a more interesting and unique day out.

Booked an afternoon cream tea for a family member’s birthday. She drove an hour with her partner to find out the event was cancelled. No apology and no solution offered. They had to stress themselves to even get a refund for something they did not receive. Really disappointed, never again.

I took my Mum for a 90th Birthday treat for an afternoon tea for two at Bitton Railway on the 3rd July at 1pm. We arrived early and were told that we should have been there yesterday. This was the second occasion that we had been let down as I had originally booked the afternoon tea for my Mum's 90th birthday on the Wednesday 14th May at 1pm. We arrived on this occasion only to be told that they had not put it down in the diary and so therefore had not ordered the food in. I was very understanding on this occasion and did not make a fuss. The lady from the office came to apologise and we remade the date. I certainly did not expect this to happen a second time. I think it is very incompetent and also very disappointing for an old lady who was looking forward to it so much for her 90th birthday. It had been booked for the 2nd July but I had a neurologist appointment that could not be altered so I visited the station cafe as soon as I received the appointment and explained the situation and they re-booked me for the 3rd July. I have witnesses to prove this conversation took place. There was no apology or explanation from the staff for this mishap on the 3rd July and they acted like they could not care less. When I queried that the food from yesterday would be stale they said it had been thrown away. They also said that they had phoned me but I received no calls on my telephone from them for either day. They scrabbled together 2 finger sandwiches of tuna mayonnaise with margarine, 2 plain ham finger sandwiches and 2 plain cheese finger sandwiches with no garnish inside. We received a microwaved scone each with cream and jam, a flapjack cut in half and a piece of dried sponge cut in half and 2 small cheesecakes. We were given one stand and a drink with no offer of a drink refill or anyone checking that everything was satisfactory. No apology. This was given to us in the main carriage whereas I understood it was supposed to be in a special carriage. I did expect more food for the price and certainly for it to be displayed nicely. We were given no napkins or spoon etc. I think that this is very very poor quality and customer care and feel angry that we have had what was supposed to be a nice treat for a birthday completely ruined. I complained before leaving a bad review but t my complaint was ignored. I think it is disgusting. Since I posted this review; I have heard back from the Visitor Services and Volunteering Officer with a very nice apology and offering us a further cream tea and a ride in the dining carriage for a round trip of the line. She wrote a lovely letter explaining some of the difficulties that they have experienced and I have been happy to accept their offer.

I'd booked a footplate ride as a birthday gift for my Dad. Sadly it was cancelled a few hours before it was due to start (unfortunately he had also travelled from afar for it too). There was no availability to rebook it. I'm really disappointed Avon valley railway did not try to accommodate rebooking as it was their fault the experience was cancelled.

Teddy bear's picnics, murder mystery tours, fun days out - all on a steam train! The railway runs from Bitton via Oldland and then onto the riverside. Steam train rides are around £6 - what a bargain. Have a spot of lunch in the buffet cart or chill out watching the scenery go by. Trips are super family orientated and bring the past to Bristol. The railway itself is blooming with wildflowers in summer and a link to history, restored to its former glory in the times of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. A chuffing good day out - choo choo!!

It's not until you get up close to a working steam train that you get sucked in by their odd beauty. Marketed as 'more than just a train ride' the Avon Valley Railway does indeed offer more than your average steam train ride encompassing a number of other possible activities. A mix between the new and the old the redeveloped train station itself holds railway artifacts, posters and old vintage signs. The murder mystery events - while a little pricey - are absolutely great fun! I hear on some days Thomas the Tank Engine even visits the railway!