Take the train? Your ticket is usually available for Unlimited Journeys on the day of issue (excluding Santa Specials and subject to seat availability). Passengers travel between Norchard, Lydney Junction and Parkend with the opportunity to alight at Lydney Town (for Bathurst Park for the children and the town shops) or St Mary's Halt (for the lake or Parish Church). Check the information leaflet issued with your travel ticket for more information and a local map for directions.   Alternatively use your use your ROVER ticket, take the train to Parkend and have a leisurely luncheon at one of the local Real Ale pubs.   Four of the local hostelries now offer a 10% discount off the cost of meals (but not drinks) to passengers who produce a valid ticket, date stamped with the date of the visit.   The hostelries are:- - The Woodman at Parkend (exclusions apply) - The Miners’ Arms at Whitecroft (1 mile / 15 minutes from Parkend) - The Rising Sun at Moseley Green (1 1/2 miles / 25 minutes from Parkend) - The Road House in Lydney. Trains are timed to arrive at Parkend at 10.55 and 12.23, with departure at 12.55, 14.30 and 16.00, allowing sufficient time for lunch, perhaps combined with a forest walk. Your complete day trip can also include our award winning museum, well stocked shop and cafeteria at Norchard and, of course, as many trips on the trains as you can fit in!   Visitors with special needs are catered for with limited space on all trains for wheelchairs. Please call before your visit if you have any particular needs or concerns you would like answered on 01594 845840. We will be only too pleased to help. We are sorry, but there are no toilets on our trains, but there are adequate facilities at Norchard, Lydney Junction and Parkend. View the locos and rolling stock From the platforms, trains and other public areas you will see plenty of rolling stock and some locomotives. Some are currently being restored whilst others are still awaiting their turn as time and resources permit. Click here to visit the Locomotives page Take a walk A Walker's Delight - The Forest of Dean is a haven for walkers on one of the well marked walks from Parkend, Norchard or Lydney Junction. Walking guides are available for purchase at the Railway and walkers can explore both forest trails, industrial heritage or the contrasting aspects of Lydney harbour. There are several walks in and around Parkend. An off-road walk back to Norchard (3 1/2 miles), and the villages of Moseley Green (1 1/2 miles) and Whitecroft (1 mile) are within easy walking distance with Real Ale pubs at both destinations. Walking guides are also available at Parkend and Norchard for a walk around Darkhill Ironworks site (2miles west of Parkend) and Cannop Ponds (1 1/2 miles north). Lydney harbour (1 1/4 miles from Lydney Junction) has expansive views of the Severn Bridges, the river, Sharpness and access to the old harbour trail. The recently renovated harbour is now a very interesting and attractive spot. Riverside Stroll Opposite the old mine water outfall, take the steps down to the river from our Norchard car park. Follow the footpath to the left along the riverside. It is sometimes possible to see some interesting and unusual birds - such as dippers and grey wagtails - on this stretch of the river. Please take great care when near water, especially with young children. Click here to visit the Walks page

Browse the shop at Norchard At Norchard, where road visitors arrive at our FREE car park, take time out to browse our large Souvenir Shop with its extensive range of videos, books, sweets, canned drinks, Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends gifts and other souvenirs. Click here to visit the Shop page Visit the museum at Norchard At Norchard, there is a museum located through the souvenir shop. It contains many fascinating historic railway artifacts including some from the Forest of Dean and surrounding railways. Click here to visit the Museum page Sales stands Along the platform adjacant to Plate-layers Buffet coach at Norchard, why not visit the '9681 Sales Coach'. Here you will find a selection of books, magazines, jigsaw puzzles and videos, many at bargain prices. On running days there is often a wide selection of Railway books and videos for sale as well. All the income from this Sales Coach benefits the Dean Forest Locomotive Group which raises money to keep our main loco, 9681, in service. Whilst travelling on the 'Heritage diesel railcar' have a look at the Sales Stand in the Guard' s compartment in the centre of the train, near the buffet. This stand offers an excellent selection of Railway books and other items of railway memorabilia as well as a variety of other goods including books, magazines, jigsaws and soft toys. All money raised here goes towards the upkeep of the DMU, a vital part of the Dean Forest Railway. On some special event days there are sometimes extra sales stands at Norchard, Lydney Junction and Parkend stations. Dogs are welcome on our trains (but not on 'Santa Specials' or 'Day out with Thomas' please unless Guide Dogs). All that we ask is that they are kept on a lead and do not sit on the seats and that you try to keep them from obstructing the aisles! Cycle in the Forest Add to your trip on the Dean Forest Railway with cycle hire for part of the day. Dean Forest Cycles is located very near to Parkend Railway station and there are a number of fascinating cycle ways radiating out from Parkend. Show your Dean Forest Railway ticket for a 10% discount on cycle hire on the day of your journey on the railway! Click here for more information on cycle hire.