Full day itinerary
From Wootton
A visit to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway is much more than a train ride with lots to see and do at Havenstreet station.
Starting at Wootton is recommended if you’re travelling to the Railway by bus. There are several trains during the day, with options to visit the other attractions either before or after your train ride. This itinerary gives one suggestion on how you could structure your day.
From Wootton you’ll take two train journeys – a short ride to Havenstreet, then a longer return to Wootton via Smallbook. Both are included in the price of your ticket.
10:45 Arrive at Wootton Station
Wootton station is ideal if you’re arriving by bus . The number 9 bus runs every 20 minutes between Newport and Ryde, stopping right outside of the station.
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Watch as the train arrives, then hop aboard one of our Edwardian or Victorian carriages for your steam train journey!
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11:00 Steam Train journey
Settle back in your traditional Edwardian or Victorian carriage for your journey through the beautiful Isle of Wight countryside hauled by one of our magnificent steam locomotives. All our carriages have traditional compartments – book online to reserve a compartment for your family.
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Take the short journey to the first station at Havenstreet. Watch out for deer and red squirrels as you pass through the woodland.
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11:06 Havenstreet station
Arrive at Havenstreet station and soak up the atmosphere of our beautifully restored 1940s station. Havenstreet is the headquarters of the line, with lots to see and do. We’d recommend a couple of hours here to see everything – more when a special event is happening.
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Why not visit our T-Junction refreshment kiosk, let the kids let off steam at our children’s play area, or just relax in the station garden and watch the trains go by.
On the opposite side of the line, discover our carriage & wagon workshop; watch our skilled craftsmen at work as they restore our antique wooden-bodies carriages.
There’s always lots of action in the adjacent loco yard where you can see the engines being prepared for service.
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11:40 Birds of Prey display
Wander down to our Woodland Walk to see the mighty Owls take flight at our morning Birds of Prey display from our friends at Haven Falconry.
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Free daily flying displays take place at Havenstreet each day, weather permitting.
11:40 Woodland Flights: See the owls in action on the Woodland Stage
13:40 Kings with Wings: Falcons and kites take flight in the Events Field
You can also visit our partner attraction, Haven Falconry. Tucked away in a corner of our Havenstreet station, the friendly team a are dedicated and skilled falconers who have a passion for birds of prey with over 45 years experience of handling and flying birds. Their ethos is education through fun!
Marvel at the vast collection of owls, hawks, falcons, eagles and vultures where their care and welfare is the teams utmost priority.
12:15 Train Story Discovery Centre
Head to our Train Story Discovery Centre to discover our fascinating collection of locomotives, carriages and wagons.
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Train Story tells the story of the Island’s Railways. Our collection spans from the Oldbury carriage, built for the opening of the Ryde to Shanklin line in 1864 to an old London Underground train that saw service on the same line until 2021.
Step inside our carriages, learn more about the history of the Ryde Pier tramway, and see our locomotives when they’re not in use on the line.
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13:00 Time for lunch
Our main Refreshment Rooms open daily from 10:30. We prepare a great selection of main dishes each day. Alternatively bring your own lunch and grab a seat in one of our picnic areas and watch the trains go by!
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Our Refreshment Rooms offer an good choice of meals; including vegetarian options.
If you’re after snacks or hot drinks, head to our T-Junction or Coffee Container kiosks.
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14:00 Shop & Museum
The Railway Shop is a big hit for anyone with a love of trains! Inside you’ll also find our small artefacts museum which helps tell the story of the Island’s railway history.
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Our shop has a wide range of railway books, model railways and railway gifts – ideal for finding that elusive present for a train-mad relative!
Inside the museum you’ll find a variety of fascinating and unusual objects, all connected to the Island’s railways. Discover nameplates from early locomotives, historic clocks and signs, and a variety of personal objects that once belonged to members of the railway’s staff.
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14:35 Return Steam Train journey
Rejoin the steam train for your return journey back to Wootton via Smallbrook Junction. Settle back into your traditional compartment and be transported back to the golden age of train travel.
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Listen as the engine works hard to haul the train up the gradient out of Havenstreet. Enjoy views of the Isle of Wight countryside as you pass through sleepy Ashey station, then on through the woods to Smallbrook Junction.
Smallbrook Junction is our interchange with the electric line from Ryde to Shanklin. You’ll wait here for 10-12 minutes as the locomotive changes end.
After leaving Smallbrook you’ll travel the full length of the line back to Wootton, passing non-stop through Havenstreet.
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