Avon Riverside Station (Avon Valley Railway)

What it’s like

A steam or diesel train ride along the Avon Valley line, with run-round shunting to watch at each end and about fifty minutes on board.

This is Bitton Station really, the middle point of a three mile heritage line, and Avon Riverside is one end of the journey your kids will actually be on. You get on, the train trundles south to Avon Riverside, then back through Bitton and up to Oldland Common at the other end, a six mile round trip that takes about fifty minutes. The bit that sticks is watching the locomotive run round the train at the terminus, uncoupling and shuffling back to the other end, which is proper trainspotting stuff and free entertainment while everyone stretches their legs.

It suits a wide age range, from babies who'll just enjoy the rocking and the whistle to a ten-year-old who wants to know exactly how the run-round works. Under-5s travel free, which softens the blow if you've got a toddler who might last ten minutes before wanting off. Trains only run about 120 days a year though, mostly weekends and some school holiday weekdays, so this isn't a turn-up-any-Tuesday sort of trip, you'll want to know it's a running day before you set off.

You don't need to book for a normal running day, though during school holidays it's sensible to. Dining trains, footplate rides and Santa specials are a different story and do sell out, so those need booking ahead. The buffet at Bitton opens from 9am daily bar Christmas Day and Boxing Day, doing hot and cold food, drinks and ice cream, though there's no food on the train itself unless you're on a dining service. Parking's free on site, which is one less thing to think about.

Dogs are welcome on the station and on most trains, though they're kept off dining trains and some of the busier family events where a dog and a crowd of small children isn't the best mix. Wheelchair access is decent too, with a ramped carriage and a disabled toilet in the buffet.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

Good from babies to about 10 or 11, when the run-round shunting still impresses

Booking

Pre-book for dining trains, footplate rides and Santa experiences

Parking

Free on site at Bitton Station

How long to allow

Approximately 55 minutes

Food

Buffet serving hot and cold food, drinks, snacks and ice cream

Wheelchairs

Wheelchair-accessible carriage with ramps

Dogs

Welcome on station site and trains most days

• Trains run about 120 days a year, mostly weekends and some school holiday weekdays, so check it's an operating day before you go
• The gift shop only opens 10am to 4:30pm on train running days
• Station toilets are open 9am to 4:30pm daily
• Dining trains, footplate rides and Santa specials sell out, so book those in advance

Plan your visit

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