Riley's Miniature Railway

Riley's Miniature Railway Riley's Miniature Railway is a not for profit, fun, 5 inch gauge miniature railway. Many years ago, you could travel to Isfield by rail.

Located at Isfield Station on the Lavender Line, a lovely heritage railway in the village of Isfield in East Sussex, TN22 5XB, just off the A26 between Lewes and Uckfield. Right from our conception back in 2011 we have been very proud to support the Evelina Children's Hospital in London, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Every year a donation is sent to the hospital collected from

fares and donations. Charging a very reasonable £1 per person per ride, we give rides to both children and adults alike. We are one of the few, ground level, 5 inch gauge railway's open to the public in the UK and as such, is considered to be the smallest practical ride on track gauge. It is located at the Lavender Line at Isfield Station in Station Road, just off the A26 between Lewes and Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 5XB. With generous free parking, this is a delightful standard gauge heritage railway with preserved steam and diesel locomotives offering a two mile round trip. The railway's shop can be found within the old waiting room, the grade II listed signal box can be visited and the Lavenders Tea Room is located in the old station building. Of course if the line hadn’t of closed the Lavender Line wouldn’t exist. Today, the nearest national network railway stations are Uckfield to the north with services from London, and Lewes to the south, served by east and west coastal services. Isfield is still served by public transport in the form of Brighton and Hove buses Regency Route running between Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, Lewes and Brighton. Please visit the following for further information: https://www.buses.co.uk/services/BH/29

For further information on the Lavender Line in particular please have a look at their pages (Lavender Line or Lavender Line Loco Dept) or visit their website: https://www.lavender-line.co.uk

Both Riley’s Miniature Railway and the Lavender Line are looking forward to our next open day - Sunday 13th September 20...
06/09/2026

Both Riley’s Miniature Railway and the Lavender Line are looking forward to our next open day - Sunday 13th September 2026.

We’re also pleased to be welcoming the Southern Classics Society who are putting on a Classic Car Show in the community field alongside.

Entirely operated by volunteers throughout, both railways are located at the beautifully restored Isfield Station in Station Road, Isfield, East Sussex, TN22 5XB, just off the A26 between Lewes and Uckfield.

Riley’s Miniature Railway will be open from 10:00 - 16:00 running from Platform 2 with rides on our little trains costing a small charge of £1.00 per person per ride or alternatively an All Day Rover ticket for £4 for unlimited rides on date of travel. Cash and card payments accepted. Great fun for both children and adults alike.

The Lavender Line will be running passenger services on the heritage railway alongside using steam locomotive Lady Lisa. This will be the last opportunity to ride behind Lady Lisa before she moves to her new home (see earlier post).

Their first passenger service will leave Isfield Station at 11:00 operating a half-hourly service, with the last train at 15:30. Trains travel north to Worth Halt before returning covering a two mile round trip.

It is free to explore Isfield Station, which includes much its original features such as the cattle and unloading dock, crossing gates, and of course the Grade II listed Signal Box. Children will love operating the point and signal levers (now disconnected) and having a look at the fantastic pictures of how the station looked back in the day when it was part of the main railway network (1858 to 1969).

Lavender’s tea room located in the old station building will be open from 10:00 - 16:00 for light lunches, tea, coffee, cream teas, cakes & cold drinks.

Our younger visitors can be kept amused at the two play tables while the grownups enjoy a coffee!

Please take a look in the Gift Shop (once the waiting room) on Platform 2 where they have a wide variety of gifts, souvenirs and a lovely selection of ice cream.

Well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on site and on the heritage railway train providing they don’t sit on the seats. Small dogs are generally able to be accommodated on the miniature train.

There is no need to book, just turn up on the day where tickets for the Lavender Line train are available from the gift shop. Cab rides available for an additional supplement.

There is plenty of free parking located in the old goods yard right next to The Laughing Fish, a lovely traditional Sussex village pub.

The nearest mainline railway stations are at Lewes and Uckfield, however a taxi or the 29A bus operated by Brighton & Hove buses will be required for the rest of the journey. This service stops directly outside Isfield Station and runs regularly and daily between Brighton, Lewes, Uckfield and Heathfield. The timetable can be found at https://www.buses.co.uk/services/BH/29.

Can’t make this date? Don’t worry, Riley’s Miniature Railway and the Lavender Line’s remaining public open days for 2026 are as follows with the Lavender Line’s traction type also shown:

•Sunday, September 13th - Steam - plus Southern Classics Society Classic Car Show
•Sunday, September 27th - Diesel
•Sunday, October 11th - Diesel - plus Model Railway Exhibition and Miniature Day
•Sunday, October 25th - Diesel
•Saturday, October 31st - Diesel - Halloween Special - timings TBC
•November - CLOSED
•December - Pre Booked Christmas Santa Specials only - see https://www.lavender-line.com/christmas-trains

The Lavender Line will aim to operate the advertised traction, however reserve the right to substitute with alternative traction if required for operational reasons.

If a date is not shown there are no public trains or site access and the tearoom is not open.

Further information on the Lavender Line can be found here: https://www.lavender-line.com or by visiting the Lavender Line’s page.

Riley’s Miniature Railway is a not for profit set up and very proud to support the Evelina Children's Hospital in London (part of Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust) by sending them a donation once every year collected from fares.



This post is not related to Riley’s Miniature Railway, however we’re delighted to be supporting a good friend of ours wi...
06/09/2026

This post is not related to Riley’s Miniature Railway, however we’re delighted to be supporting a good friend of ours with his private 5 inch gauge railway in Seaford, East Sussex.

This will be open to the public for rides this coming weekend (Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 2026).

Called the The Blatchington Branch garden railway, rides cost £1 per person per ride. Please note that it is currently cash only. All fares collected will be donated to various local charities.

Trains will start running around 11:00 on both days until 16:30. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes, snacks and a small selection of ice cream will be available.

Some of the Riley’s Miniature Railway volunteers will be assisting him in the operation and running on the Saturday only as we ourselves are open on Sunday so please keep a look out for us if you’re regulars to our little railway at the Lavender Line at Isfield.

We will pop some photos and videos up on Facebook of the days events. The open weekend is very much weather dependent so please check the page or website shown below before traveling. Well behaved dogs welcome.

Location:
47 Belgrave Road
Seaford
East Sussex
BN25 2HE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1RttvZAjWZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Website: https://theblatchingtonbranch.com

Tel: 07813 451058

Email: [email protected]

Attached photos show previous open days.



A massive thanks to our volunteer Keith Edwards who was at Riley’s Miniature Railway today beavering on with the norther...
06/09/2026

A massive thanks to our volunteer Keith Edwards who was at Riley’s Miniature Railway today beavering on with the northern extension and new station. Sadly our other volunteers weren’t in a position to get up to join Keith but with the railway closed to the public today, Keith was able to finish off the brickwork on the end of one of the platforms and the opposite edge of the platform on the other side. He has finished laying ballast ready for track and has dug a hole to begin the trackbed construction for the location of the buffers at the end of the line. As if that wasn’t enough Keith even managed to cut some paving slabs. Apologies to Keith for the absence of our other volunteers, life certainly has a habit of getting in the way! We do appreciate very much the work he has done and the time and effort he has put in. Cheers Keith, you’re a star!

A very big thanks to the Ramsgate and District Model Engineering Club (RADMEC) in Kent who have very generously donated ...
06/09/2026

A very big thanks to the Ramsgate and District Model Engineering Club (RADMEC) in Kent who have very generously donated us a ride in coach body. RADMEC member Peter Wilson was in Sussex this weekend so he very kindly dropped it off to us at Isfield today. We just need to source some 5 inch gauge bogies and then we’ll press it into service. It will be a very useful addition to the railway so thanks very much to the club for donating it and to Peter for dropping it off to us, we’ve very grateful! If you’d like to check RADMEC out please have a look here: https://radmec.co.uk

Both Riley’s Miniature Railway and the Lavender Line are looking forward to our next open day - Sunday 13th September 20...
05/09/2026

Both Riley’s Miniature Railway and the Lavender Line are looking forward to our next open day - Sunday 13th September 2026.

We’re also pleased to be welcoming the Southern Classics Society who are putting on a Classic Car Show.

Entirely operated by volunteers throughout, both railways are located at the beautifully restored Isfield Station in Station Road, Isfield, East Sussex, TN22 5XB, just off the A26 between Lewes and Uckfield.

Riley’s Miniature Railway will be open from 10:00 - 16:00 running from Platform 2 with rides on our little trains costing a small charge of £1.00 per person per ride or alternatively an All Day Rover ticket for £4 for unlimited rides on date of travel. Cash and card payments accepted. Great fun for both children and adults alike.

The Lavender Line will be running passenger services on the heritage railway alongside using steam locomotive Lady Lisa, subject to dry conditions/fire risks and may be replaced with a diesel locomotive.

Their first passenger service will leave Isfield Station at 11:00 operating a half-hourly service, with the last train at 15:30. Trains travel north to Worth Halt before returning covering a two mile round trip.

It is free to explore Isfield Station, which includes much its original features such as the cattle and unloading dock, crossing gates, and of course the Grade II listed Signal Box. Children will love operating the point and signal levers (now disconnected) and having a look at the fantastic pictures of how the station looked back in the day when it was part of the main railway network (1858 to 1969).

Lavender’s tea room located in the old station building will be open from 10:00 - 16:00 for light lunches, tea, coffee, cream teas, cakes & cold drinks.

Our younger visitors can be kept amused at the two play tables while the grownups enjoy a coffee!

Please take a look in the Gift Shop (once the waiting room) on Platform 2 where they have a wide variety of gifts, souvenirs and a lovely selection of ice cream.

Well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on site and on the heritage railway train providing they don’t sit on the seats. Small dogs are generally able to be accommodated on the miniature train.

There is no need to book, just turn up on the day where tickets for the Lavender Line train are available from the gift shop. Cab rides available for an additional supplement.

There is plenty of free parking located in the old goods yard right next to The Laughing Fish, a lovely traditional Sussex village pub.

The nearest mainline railway stations are at Lewes and Uckfield, however a taxi or the 29A bus operated by Brighton & Hove buses will be required for the rest of the journey. This service stops directly outside Isfield Station and runs regularly and daily between Brighton, Lewes, Uckfield and Heathfield. The timetable can be found at https://www.buses.co.uk/services/BH/29.

Can’t make this date? Don’t worry, Riley’s Miniature Railway and the Lavender Line’s remaining public open days for 2026 are as follows with the Lavender Line’s traction type also shown:

•Sunday, September 13th - Steam subject to dry conditions/fire risk - plus Southern Classics Society - Classic Car Show
•Sunday, September 27th - Diesel
•Sunday, October 11th - Steam - plus Model Railway Exhibition and Miniature Day
•Sunday, October 25th - Diesel
•Saturday, October 31st - Diesel - Halloween Special - timings TBC
•November - CLOSED
•December - Steam - Pre Booked Christmas Santa Specials only - see https://www.lavender-line.com/christmas-trains

The Lavender Line will aim to operate the advertised traction, however reserve the right to substitute with alternative traction if required for operational reasons.

If a date is not shown there are no public trains or site access and the tearoom is not open.

Further information on the Lavender Line can be found here: https://www.lavender-line.com or by visiting the Lavender Line’s page.

Riley’s Miniature Railway is a not for profit set up and very proud to support the Evelina Children's Hospital in London (part of Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust) by sending them a donation once every year collected from fares.





Those of you who visit our home at the Lavender Line will know it has also been the home to a rather interesting steam l...
05/09/2026

Those of you who visit our home at the Lavender Line will know it has also been the home to a rather interesting steam locomotive called Lady Lisa.

It has been announced that Cockerill 0-4-0VBT, No 2945 of 1920, Lady Lisa, will be changing bases during September.

If you want to see Lady Lisa running at the Lavender Line then your last opportunity will be on Sunday 13th September.

After that, she will be moving to the Swindon & Cricklade Railway where she will enter service following crew training.

It is anticipated that her first public run there will be the Halloween event on 31st October and that she will also be running for the Christmas Specials from the last weekend of November.

We wish Lady Lisa’s owners Colin and Lisa Healey all the very best for the future and look forward to hearing how it’s going at their new home.

Another great open day today for both us and our friends ‘over the fence’ at the Lavender Line. A little quieter today c...
31/08/2026

Another great open day today for both us and our friends ‘over the fence’ at the Lavender Line. A little quieter today compared with yesterday’s open day which was surprising considering today was the better day weather wise. On our our 5 inch gauge track today we had just the one train in operation today with a Class 31 locomotive hauling our visitors. On the Lavender Line alongside Class 73 number 73140 was hauling our visitors on the heritage railway alongside. A big thanks to all our visitors for coming to see us over the two bank holiday weekend operating days and of course to all the volunteers making it all happen. Next open day for both Riley’s Miniature Railway and the Lavender Line will be Sunday 13th September where steam locomotive Lady Lisa will be hauling visitors. The Southern Classics Society will be attending putting on a Classic Car Show which we’re very much looking forward to seeing.

31/08/2026

Another great open day today for both us and our friends ‘over the fence’ at the Lavender Line. A little quieter today compared with yesterday’s open day which was surprising considering today was the better day weather wise. On our our 5 inch gauge track today we had just the one train in operation today with a Class 31 locomotive hauling our visitors. On the Lavender Line alongside Class 73 number 73140 was hauling our visitors on the heritage railway alongside. A big thanks to all our visitors for coming to see us over the two bank holiday weekend operating days and of course to all the volunteers making it all happen. Next open day for both Riley’s Miniature Railway and the Lavender Line will be Sunday 13th September where steam locomotive Lady Lisa will be hauling visitors, plus the Southern Classics Society Classic Car Show which we’re very much looking forward to seeing.

Open today - Bank Holiday Monday 31st August 2026! Both Riley’s Miniature Railway and the Lavender Line are very much lo...
31/08/2026

Open today - Bank Holiday Monday 31st August 2026!

Both Riley’s Miniature Railway and the Lavender Line are very much looking forward to our open day today.

Entirely operated by volunteers throughout, both railways are located at the beautifully restored Isfield Station in Station Road, Isfield, East Sussex, TN22 5XB, just off the A26 between Lewes and Uckfield.

Riley’s Miniature Railway will be open from 10:00 - 16:00 running from Platform 2 with rides on our little trains costing a small charge of £1.00 per person per ride or alternatively an All Day Rover ticket for £4 for unlimited rides on date of travel. Cash and card payments accepted. Great fun for both children and adults alike.

The Lavender Line will be running passenger services on the heritage railway alongside using Class 73 diesel 73140.

Their first passenger service will leave Isfield Station at 11:00 operating a half-hourly service, with the last train at 15:30. Trains travel north to Worth Halt before returning covering a two mile round trip.

It is free to explore Isfield Station, which includes much its original features such as the cattle and unloading dock, crossing gates, and of course the Grade II listed Signal Box. Children will love operating the point and signal levers (now disconnected) and having a look at the fantastic pictures of how the station looked back in the day when it was part of the main railway network (1858 to 1969).

Lavender’s tea room located in the old station building will be open from 10:00 - 16:00 for light lunches, tea, coffee, cream teas, cakes & cold drinks.

Our younger visitors can be kept amused at the two play tables while the grownups enjoy a coffee!

Please take a look in the Gift Shop (once the waiting room) on Platform 2 where they have a wide variety of gifts, souvenirs and a lovely selection of ice cream.

Well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome on site and on the heritage railway train providing they don’t sit on the seats. Small dogs are generally able to be accommodated on the miniature train.

There is no need to book, just turn up on the day where tickets for the Lavender Line train are available from the gift shop. Cab rides available for an additional supplement.

There is plenty of free parking located in the old goods yard right next to The Laughing Fish, a lovely traditional Sussex village pub.

The nearest mainline railway stations are at Lewes and Uckfield, however a taxi or the 29A bus operated by Brighton & Hove buses will be required for the rest of the journey. This service stops directly outside Isfield Station and runs regularly and daily between Brighton, Lewes, Uckfield and Heathfield. The timetable can be found at https://www.buses.co.uk/services/BH/29.

Can’t make this date? Don’t worry, Riley’s Miniature Railway and the Lavender Line’s remaining public open days for 2026 are as follows with the Lavender Line’s traction type also shown:

•Monday (Bank Holiday), August 31st - Diesel
•Sunday, September 13th - Steam subject to dry conditions/fire risk - plus Southern Classics Society - Classic Car Show
•Sunday, September 27th - Diesel
•Sunday, October 11th - Steam - plus Model Railway Exhibition and Miniature Day
•Sunday, October 25th - Diesel
•Saturday, October 31st - Diesel - Halloween Special - timings TBC
•November - CLOSED
•December - Steam - Pre Booked Christmas Santa Specials only - see https://www.lavender-line.com/christmas-trains

The Lavender Line will aim to operate the advertised traction, however reserve the right to substitute with alternative traction if required for operational reasons.

If a date is not shown there are no public trains or site access and the tearoom is not open.

Further information on the Lavender Line can be found here: https://www.lavender-line.com or by visiting the Lavender Line’s page.

Riley’s Miniature Railway is a not for profit set up and very proud to support the Evelina Children's Hospital in London (part of Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust) by sending them a donation once every year collected from fares.





Address

Lavender Line, Isfield Station, Station Road
Uckfield
TN225XB

Telephone

+447793435428

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Riley's Miniature Railway posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category