Where do I join the train?

You can join at Worcester Shrub Hill, Droitwich Spa, Stourbridge Junction or Birmingham Snow Hill; check your ticket for the station you selected.

How long do I have in Stratford-upon-Avon?

The itinerary provides approximately 4.5 hours ashore to explore, eat, and visit local sites before the return journey.

What’s included with Pullman tickets?

Pullman includes reserved seats in original 1960s Pullman cars, full English breakfast outward and afternoon tea on the return, plus tea and coffee served throughout.

Are children allowed in Pullman?

Children aged 5 or under are not permitted to travel in Pullman; children under 16 must be accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Can I bring a wheelchair or mobility scooter?

Wheelchair facilities are limited; some coaches can accommodate standard wheelchairs or mobility scooters—call the booking office to confirm availability.

What if the steam locomotive can’t run?

The operator may substitute a diesel locomotive or alter plans due to locomotive failures, network restrictions or weather; no additional refund beyond their cancellation policy is guaranteed.

Ride the Worcester Shakespeare Express: Heritage Steam Train to Stratford-upon-Avon | Train | Sightseeing Tour

Board the Worcester Shakespeare Express for a day that reads like a chapter from local history and moves at steam-age pace. This heritage rail excursion runs from Worcester through Worcestershire and Warwickshire to Stratford-upon-Avon in England, offering a rhythm of countryside, curving viaducts and the River Avon. Departures are from Worcester Shrub Hill, Droitwich Spa, Stourbridge Junction and Birmingham Snow Hill, where original station architecture and Great Western Railway features set the tone before the locomotive breathes to life. Your carriage—either a 1960s Pullman or a British Railways Mk2—carries the detail of another era: varnished wood, proper service, and an on-train buffet. For Pullman travelers the outward journey includes a full English breakfast and the return brings afternoon tea served to your seat; standard-class passengers have reserved seats and light refreshments. The route follows the Shakespeare Line and Chiltern mainline, cutting through low rolling fields, hedgerows and market towns. Look for the River Avon opening up near Stratford and the town’s timber-framed streets and historic buildings. On arrival you’ll have roughly 4.5 hours ashore to walk by the river, visit William Shakespeare’s birthplace, find a pub for lunch, or trace quieter corners such as the Bancroft Gardens and the riverside towpath where swans and herons are common. What sets this trip apart is the combination of motion and place: a working steam locomotive and original coaching stock that make the journey part of the attraction, and Stratford—William Shakespeare’s hometown—as a destination steeped in literary history. The experience is family friendly: seats are reserved, children under 16 must be with an adult, and family fares are available in Standard. Note restrictions for mobility and Pullman seating for very young children; assistance and support dogs can travel with advance notice. Timings are approximate—Worcester Shrub Hill departs around 10:16 and returns about 18:52—and final times are confirmed 48 hours beforehand. Practicalities matter: arrive at least 20 minutes early, flag dietary needs if dining onboard, and consider travel insurance; the operator reserves the right to substitute locomotives if necessary. Tickets range from Standard fares — adult £53.00, child £31.80, family £137.80 — to Pullman upgrades with reserved tables (Table for 2 | £339.20; Adult | £159.00). Prices shown include a 6% booking fee applied at checkout. The timetable gives you an afternoon in Stratford but check the operator's cancellation policy and luggage rules. Onboard staff can assist; servers sell additional drinks; flag dietary needs when booking Pullman dining. Younger children, mobility limits and mobility scooters have restrictions—call ahead. Whether you crave a day of slow travel, a riverside lunch, or a photo of steam against pastoral England, the Worcester Shakespeare Express stitches transport, history and theatre-town charm into a single, memorable day trip.

About Vintage Trains

Vintage Trains is a Birmingham-based heritage rail operator that runs a programme of steam- and diesel-hauled excursions, dining trips and depot tours across the UK. Founded and based at Tyseley Depot, the company preserves historic locomotives and carriages while operating scheduled special trains such as THE POLAR EXPRESS™, The Shakespeare Express and long-distance explorers to destinations including Manchester, Newcastle and North Wales.

Operating from Tyseley Depot in Birmingham, Vintage Trains offers curated day trips, festive events and themed dining experiences designed for families, rail enthusiasts and leisure travellers. Signature journeys include the festive THE POLAR EXPRESS™ family experience, seasonal Christmas market excursions, full dining services such as three-course Sunday lunches and thematic entertainment like Murder on The Shakespeare Express and Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties.

Tyseley Depot tours provide behind-the-scenes access to a 1908 Great Western Railway locomotive depot, including the roundhouse, turntable and working locomotives with guided interpretation. Vintage Trains combines heritage conservation with public operations, maintaining restored rolling stock to operate authentic rail experiences.

Tickets, seating classes and catering options vary by trip; Tourist seats and Pullman dining are available on selected services. The operator runs both steam-hauled specials and diesel-hauled explorers and highlights regional routes such as the Welsh Highland Railway segment on the Welsh Highland Explorer. Vintage Trains focuses on delivering historically informed, family-friendly excursions and accessible depot tours from its Birmingham base.

Booking, safety and accessibility information are published for each trip, and advance reservations are recommended for popular seasonal services and dining experiences during peak travel periods.