Avon Valley Railway - Bristol & Bath’s Heritage Railway

Welcome to the new website of the Avon Valley Railway Heritage Trust. We work to preserve the route and legacy of the Midland Railway’s Mangotsfield to Bath Branch, which terminated at the legendary Bath Green Park Station.

From humble beginnings in 1972, our volunteers have returned heritage trains to the Avon Valley, with operations currently focussed on Bitton Station. We have achieved a lot so far, but we’re not finished. Find out more about us, our plans and how you can help across these pages.

Steam along the Avon Valley

Join us for a ride on one of our historic steam trains across the Avon river and through the South Gloucestershire countryside. Trains operate on most weekends and some summer Wednesdays. Start your journey from Bitton station with free parking and all our facilities.

There is also a range of special events throughout the year and regular first-class dining trains.

Find out more
 

Membership

AVRHT relies on the generosity of our members to survive. We offer a range of perks and benefits with our membership as well as the opportunity to get involved in the running of the railway as a volunteer.

Find out more

 Find Us.

 

  • Bitton Station is situated midway between the cities of Bristol and Bath, on the A431 main road, and approximately one mile from the town of Keynsham. The nearby A4174 Avon Ring Road allows easy access to and from the motorway network. Car parking spaces are available at Bitton station, and are free.

  • The nearest National Rail station to Bitton is Keynsham. Keynsham is generally served by 2 trains every hour on the Bristol to Westbury route operated by Great Western Railway with regular hourly extensions to Gloucester and Salisbury, and Weymouth every 2 hours. Trains connect with other train services to/from London, the South West, Birmingham, South Wales and further afield at either Bristol Temple Meads or Bath Spa. For timetable and fare information visit GWR.com.

    The distance from Keynsham to Bitton on foot is approximately 1.5 miles: simply turn right out of the station exits and follow the road until you pick up the AVR brown tourist signs.

    From Keynsham, bus service 17 runs hourly Monday to Sunday. Buses pick up from the stop on the road bridge over the station, and set down in Willsbridge.

  • The following bus services can be used to reach the Avon Valley Railway:

    Service 17 Southmead Hospital - Keynsham (via Fishponds, Kingswood & Hanham): Daily (Mon-Sun) approx every 60 mins. Alight at Keynsham Road or Willsbridge Hill bus stop. Current timetable

    Service 19 Bath Bus Station - Bristol Parkway Station (via Warmley, Kingswood & Downend): Daily (Mon-Sun) approx every 60 mins. Alight at Cherry Gardens bus stop. Current timetable

    Service 42 Bristol City Centre – Cherry Gardens (via Lawrence Hill & Kingswood): Daily (Mon-Sun): approx every 60 mins. Alight at Cherry Gardens bus stop. Current timetable

    Service 45 Bristol City Centre – Cherry Gardens (via Lawrence Hill & Hanham): Mon-Sat: approx every 30 mins, Sun: approx every 60 mins. Alight at Cherry Gardens bus stop. Current timetable

    Service 532 Yate or Emersons Green to Keynsham (via Westerleigh, Pucklechurch & Warmley): Mon-Fri: 5 journeys in each direction. Alight at Cherry Gardens bus stop. Current timetable

    Single bus fares capped at £2 until end of 2024.

    For live tracking of your bus, it is recommended that you visit bustimes.org

    For more details on public transport services and to plan your route please visit TravelWEST

  • From Bristol or Bath, you can ride along the popular Bristol & Bath Railway Path (Route 4 of the National Cycle Network). It follows the route of the original Bristol-Mangotsfield-Bath Midland mainline, part of which covers the existing route of the Avon Valley Railway, and its intended extension. Cycle parking stands are provided at Bitton Station. While the majority of the route is safe for children and adults due to its distance from roadways, we advise caution on the few road and railway crossings that exist.

    For more details on the Railway Path please visit the dedicated Bristol & Bath Railway Path website.

Make a donation.

The Avon Valley Railway Heritage Trust relies on donations to keep the trains running. Help us to keep the age of steam alive and support our plans to extend the line towards Bath in the future.

Donate
 
Today’s operations crew at the railway have an average age of 21! 🚂 Here we see some of the crew including our fireman, cleaner, guard, gatekeeper and shed cleaner. Ever thought about volunteering? https://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/support-u
Today’s operations crew at the railway have an average age of 21! 🚂 Here we see some of the crew including our fireman, cleaner, guard, gatekeeper and shed cleaner. Ever thought about volunteering? https://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/support-us/volunteering/
The sun is out and our steam train is running again today! The next departure will be at 12:00 followed by 1.15, 2.30 and 3.45. The Buffet is open until 5pm for hot & cold food, drink and snacks, and ice creams! Our Gift Shop is open too!
The sun is out and our steam train is running again today! The next departure will be at 12:00 followed by 1.15, 2.30 and 3.45. The Buffet is open until 5pm for hot & cold food, drink and snacks, and ice creams! Our Gift Shop is open too!
The sun is out and our steam train is running! The station buffet is open until 5pm for breakfasts, meals, snacks and drinks. Our steam train departs Bitton at 1045, 1200, 1315, 1430 and 1545 today. Tickets are available at the booking office! Plus
The sun is out and our steam train is running! The station buffet is open until 5pm for breakfasts, meals, snacks and drinks. Our steam train departs Bitton at 1045, 1200, 1315, 1430 and 1545 today. Tickets are available at the booking office! Plus we have the first our Sunset Specials running tonight - departing at 6.45pm. The station buffet is open until 5pm for breakfasts, meals, snacks and drinks.
Introducing Sunset Specials. Join us this Saturday night (20th May) for a relaxing steam train ride whilst the sun goes down. Boarding is at 6.45pm and there will be a bar available at Bitton Station to purchase drinks beforehand. The train will op
Introducing Sunset Specials. Join us this Saturday night (20th May) for a relaxing steam train ride whilst the sun goes down. Boarding is at 6.45pm and there will be a bar available at Bitton Station to purchase drinks beforehand. The train will operate two round trips of the line, finishing at approximately 8.45pm. Tickets cost £10 per person. Buy your tickets from the link below: https://www.quaytickets.com/avonvalleyrailway/en-GB/shows/sunset%20specials/events Please note that whilst these specials operate on the same dates as our Murder Mystery evenings, tickets for Sunset Specials do not give access to the Murder Mystery event.
We're delving into the archives again this week for the second of our #throwbackthursdays 🚂 This week's photo shows Bitton Station around the time of closure in the mid-1960s. Although the line closed to passenger trains in 1966, the line remained i
We're delving into the archives again this week for the second of our #throwbackthursdays 🚂 This week's photo shows Bitton Station around the time of closure in the mid-1960s. Although the line closed to passenger trains in 1966, the line remained in use for freight trains until 1970. The scene today has changed a bit over the past 60 years since this photo was taken - the hillside on the left is now dominated by housing and trees. The station building whilst remaining virtually unchanged on the outside, on the inside it has been repurposed to provide space for the gift shop, toilets and much needed office space. Nowadays, the view of goods shed from this angle is obscured by the canopy providing covered outdoor seating for the buffet. There also far more benches on the platform now than there was when this photo was taken! See if you can count how many there are on your next visit.
This week at the Avon Valley Railway: The Buffet is open 7 days a week from 9am serving hot and cold food and drink. We've got steam trains running on Saturday and Sunday. Trains depart at the usual times of 1045, 1200, 1315, 1430 and 1545. The g
This week at the Avon Valley Railway: The Buffet is open 7 days a week from 9am serving hot and cold food and drink. We've got steam trains running on Saturday and Sunday. Trains depart at the usual times of 1045, 1200, 1315, 1430 and 1545. The gift shop will be open from 10am on Saturday and Sunday selling a wide range of souvenirs and toys. To purchase tickets for any of our running days visit quaytickets.com/avonvalleyrailway
Over the couple of months, we're diving into the archives for #throwbackthursday 🔎🚂 We start with this great shot of Oldland Common Station as it looked in 1948, shortly after nationalisation. The station has barely changed since its opening 13 ye
Over the couple of months, we're diving into the archives for #throwbackthursday 🔎🚂 We start with this great shot of Oldland Common Station as it looked in 1948, shortly after nationalisation. The station has barely changed since its opening 13 years earlier in 1935. 📷 Chris Kemp collection / AVR archive
The remainder of the week at the AVR: The Buffet is open daily (even when trains aren't running) serving a wide range of hot and cold food and drink. Our next train running days are on Saturday and Sunday, with diesel running on Saturday and Steam
The remainder of the week at the AVR: The Buffet is open daily (even when trains aren't running) serving a wide range of hot and cold food and drink. Our next train running days are on Saturday and Sunday, with diesel running on Saturday and Steam running on Sunday. Trains depart at 1045, 1200, 1315, 1430 and 1545. Our gift shop will be open all day on Saturday and Sunday. You can purchase tickets for any of our running days online at quaytickets.com/avonvalleyrailway
To celebrate the #TheBigHelpOut we’re looking to thank all our volunteers for the hard work they do! If you’re interested in joining us a volunteer please take a look at our page: https://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/support-us/volunteeri
To celebrate the #TheBigHelpOut we’re looking to thank all our volunteers for the hard work they do! If you’re interested in joining us a volunteer please take a look at our page: https://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/support-us/volunteering/
Enjoy today’s bank holiday with a steam train ride along the Avon Valley, hauled by our new 2023 resident ‘Wimblebury’! Trains depart Bitton station at 10:45, 12:00, 13:15, 14:30, 15:45. Why not experience a unique perspective with our brake van rides, getting up close with the locomotive with fantastic views! Only a £5 supplement for tickets holders. Also, to celebrate the Coronation weekend, a vintage bus service is operating from Bitton station, travelling to the restored Warmley Signal Box and gardens - so don’t forget to enjoy a journey on that too!
INTRODUCING WIMBLEBURY... 🚂 This Austerity 0-6-0ST is due to spend the 2023 season with us, joining our other locomotives hauling trains along the Avon Valley. In a stunning NCB blue and red livery, she is truly one not to be missed! The best par
INTRODUCING WIMBLEBURY... 🚂 This Austerity 0-6-0ST is due to spend the 2023 season with us, joining our other locomotives hauling trains along the Avon Valley. In a stunning NCB blue and red livery, she is truly one not to be missed! The best part? - The locomotive is due its first scheduled running day tomorrow, so this is your opportunity to get some of the first trips behind her on our line! Tomorrow we are also running brake van rides on the main coaching set for only a £5 supplement, meaning you can enjoy Wimblebury up close as she hauls you down the line.
An exciting experience this Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday! Want to see the Avon Valley Railway from a unique perspective? Only 10 spaces per trip on a first come first served basis. £5 supplement for ticket holders for a full round trip of t
An exciting experience this Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday! Want to see the Avon Valley Railway from a unique perspective? Only 10 spaces per trip on a first come first served basis. £5 supplement for ticket holders for a full round trip of the line on the brake van. Trains depart at 10:45, 12:00, 13:15, 14:30 and 15:45.
Today’s operations crew at the railway have an average age of 21! 🚂 Here we see some of the crew including our fireman, cleaner, guard, gatekeeper and shed cleaner. Ever thought about volunteering? https://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/support-u The sun is out and our steam train is running again today! The next departure will be at 12:00 followed by 1.15, 2.30 and 3.45. The Buffet is open until 5pm for hot & cold food, drink and snacks, and ice creams! Our Gift Shop is open too! The sun is out and our steam train is running! The station buffet is open until 5pm for breakfasts, meals, snacks and drinks. Our steam train departs Bitton at 1045, 1200, 1315, 1430 and 1545 today. Tickets are available at the booking office! Plus Introducing Sunset Specials. Join us this Saturday night (20th May) for a relaxing steam train ride whilst the sun goes down. Boarding is at 6.45pm and there will be a bar available at Bitton Station to purchase drinks beforehand. The train will op We're delving into the archives again this week for the second of our #throwbackthursdays 🚂 This week's photo shows Bitton Station around the time of closure in the mid-1960s. Although the line closed to passenger trains in 1966, the line remained i This week at the Avon Valley Railway: The Buffet is open 7 days a week from 9am serving hot and cold food and drink. We've got steam trains running on Saturday and Sunday. Trains depart at the usual times of 1045, 1200, 1315, 1430 and 1545. The g Over the couple of months, we're diving into the archives for #throwbackthursday 🔎🚂 We start with this great shot of Oldland Common Station as it looked in 1948, shortly after nationalisation. The station has barely changed since its opening 13 ye The remainder of the week at the AVR: The Buffet is open daily (even when trains aren't running) serving a wide range of hot and cold food and drink. Our next train running days are on Saturday and Sunday, with diesel running on Saturday and Steam To celebrate the #TheBigHelpOut we’re looking to thank all our volunteers for the hard work they do! If you’re interested in joining us a volunteer please take a look at our page: https://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/support-us/volunteeri
Enjoy today’s bank holiday with a steam train ride along the Avon Valley, hauled by our new 2023 resident ‘Wimblebury’! Trains depart Bitton station at 10:45, 12:00, 13:15, 14:30, 15:45. Why not experience a unique perspective wit
INTRODUCING WIMBLEBURY... 🚂 This Austerity 0-6-0ST is due to spend the 2023 season with us, joining our other locomotives hauling trains along the Avon Valley. In a stunning NCB blue and red livery, she is truly one not to be missed! The best par An exciting experience this Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday! Want to see the Avon Valley Railway from a unique perspective? Only 10 spaces per trip on a first come first served basis. £5 supplement for ticket holders for a full round trip of t

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