About Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway is a preserved line that connects with the national railway network at Keighley, running 5 miles up the Worth Valley to Oxenhope.
Established by the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society after British Railways closed the line in 1962, the railway reopened in June 1968, just before steam services ended on British Railways.
The railway is famous for its role in the 1970 film adaptation of Edith Nesbit’s "The Railway Children" and has since featured in numerous films and TV shows, including "Testament of Youth," "Swallows & Amazons," and "Peaky Blinders."
Visiting Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
Since reopening in 1968, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway has delighted thousands of passengers with its heritage train services through the Worth Valley.
To best experience the railway, it's worth starting at either Keighley or Oxenhope station and book a full line return. Better still, a Day Rover ticket offers unlimited travel, letting you hop on and off to explore each station and its surroundings.
For a particularly memorable experience, you can also visit during one of the many events in Haworth.
A Day Rover ticket offers unlimited travel for a day, allowing you to explore all stations and enjoy free entry to the award-winning ‘Carriage Works’ and ‘Engine Shed’ museums at Ingrow West Station.
Full Line Return tickets provide a complete round trip of the line and can be purchased on the day from any booking office. Various other fare options are also available.
KWVR Stations
Keighley Station
Keighley is the northern terminus of the KWVR, conveniently located near the town centre. It features a 1950s British Railways atmosphere, with platforms 3 and 4 showcasing original features like a glass canopy and waiting room.
The station also connects with national rail services to Bradford, Carlisle, Leeds, Skipton, and the West Coast, making it an ideal starting point for your journey.
Ingrow West Station
Ingrow West is the first stop from Keighley, known for its museums. The station building was relocated from Foulridge in Lancashire and now features a Victorian-era ambience.
It houses the ‘RailStory Classroom,’ an educational facility for children to learn about railways and other subjects in a former railway carriage.
Damems Station
Damems, the smallest operating passenger station in the UK, is nestled in a wooded section of the Worth Valley. Though not easily accessible by road, it offers a unique atmosphere worth the visit. Located two miles from Keighley, Damems is now a request stop, so you’ll need to inform a train guard if you wish to board or alight here.
Despite its size, Damems has a rich history. It once had its own stationmaster’s house and sidings servicing a nearby mill. The station opened in 1868, closed in 1949, and was revived by the KWVR in 1968. The small signal box at Damems was relocated from Earby in Lancashire.
Oakworth Station
Oakworth Station, is famed for its role in the 1970 film "The Railway Children." This Edwardian-style station retains an authentic historical atmosphere with open fires, a period booking office, and original advertisements.
Oakworth Station remains a must-see for "The Railway Children" fans. The station has also been a frequent winner of the ‘Best Restored Station’ competition, despite extensive renovations required in the 1980s due to dry rot. The five-ton crane is a historical feature that visitors can still see today.
Haworth Station
Haworth Station, a key stop on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, serves as the hub for the railway's operations, locomotive maintenance, and engineering.
Visitors can tour the locomotive shed and see the impressive steam and diesel engines up close. The station also houses the railway's offices and a well-stocked shop.
Haworth itself is renowned for its connection to the Brontë sisters, with the Brontë Parsonage Museum just a short walk away, making it a must-visit for literature enthusiasts.
Oxenhope Station
Oxenhope Station, the last stop, offers ample free parking and is a stone's throw from the village centre.
The station features a shop, a relocated booking office with an open fireplace, and a charming tearoom housed in a vintage railway carriage.
The head-shunt extension allows for dual locomotive operations, while the landscaped area includes a car park, picnic area, and children's adventure playground.
You can explroe the Exhibition Shed for a close-up view of historic locomotives and enjoy the new sculpture trail around the village.
KWVR Info
Ticket Prices (Valid from 1 April 2024)
Day Rover Ticket
Adult: £22.00 (On the day), £19.80 (Online 3 days in advance)
Children (5-15): £11.00 (On the day), £9.90 (Online 3 days in advance)
Children under 5: Free
One Adult & One Child: £27.50 (On the day), £24.75 (Online 3 days in advance)
Two Adults & Three Children: £55.00 (On the day), £49.50 (Online 3 days in advance)
Local Resident Card Holder & Members: £11.00 (On the day), N/A (Online)
Full Line Return
Adult: £15.00 (On the day)
Children (5-15): £7.50 (On the day)
Children under 5: Free
Local Resident Card Holder & Members: £7.50 (On the day)
| Haworth Address: | The Railway Station, Station Rd, Haworth, Keighley, BD22 8NJ |
| Website: | kwvr.co.uk |
| Phone Number: | 01535 645214 |
Sources: