Watercress Line revives 20th-century transport in June retro festival

A 125-year-old railway is turning back the clock for two days next month, transporting visitors through seven decades of transport history. The Watercress Line’s Retro Wheels and Rails event on June 13 and 14 will feature steam and diesel train rides, live bands, vintage vehicles, and themed activities across its heritage stations in Alton, Alresford, Ropley, and Medstead and Four Marks.

The event marks the fifth consecutive year the Watercress Line has hosted the festival, drawing over 10,000 visitors annually. This year’s lineup expands with new attractions, including a locomotive playground for children, a themed sweet shop in Alton’s 1970s zone, and behind-the-scenes access to the Loco Shed Viewing Gallery.

Each station will immerse guests in a different decade. Ropley station will transform into 1940s wartime Britain with ration book activities and wartime singalongs. Alresford will host a 1960s British pop culture zone featuring retro food stalls and Elvis impersonators. Medstead and Four Marks will channel 1950s rock ’n’ roll with jukebox booths and leather-jacketed Elvis impersonators. Alton’s 1970s area will offer retro gaming consoles, a disco ball, and a candy shop stocked with retro sweets.

Rebecca Dalley, CEO of the Watercress Line, called the event a “time capsule” of 20th-century culture. “Families can ride the trains, hear live music, and explore miniature railways, all while stepping into history,” she said. “We’ve even added a locomotive playground where children can climb on retired carriages and signal boxes.”

The event also introduces a vintage phone activity, allowing visitors to make calls using rotary phones and listen to 20th-century phone recordings. A selfie spot with a 1950s telephone box has been installed at Medstead and Four Marks, alongside a locomotive-themed play area for under-10s. Behind-the-scenes tours of the Loco Shed Viewing Gallery will reveal the restoration process of vintage engines.

Tickets are £22 for adults, £18 for seniors, and £10 for children aged 3-15. Under-3s enter free. The Watercress Line, a heritage railway running between Alton and Alresford in Hampshire, has operated since 1899 and runs exclusively on steam and heritage diesel locomotives. The line’s museum at Ropley station houses a collection of vintage carriages and railway artifacts.

The Retro Wheels and Rails event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Visitors can purchase tickets online or at the gate, though online booking is advised due to high demand. All proceeds support the Watercress Line’s heritage and restoration projects.