About
Real Ale and Cider Festival at the Epping Ongar Railway
Friday 25th, Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July
North Weald and Ongar Stations plus onboard bar
- Over 80 Real Ales and 25 Real Ciders across both Naorth Weald and Ongar stations.
- Leave the car at home! Connecting vintage London bus service from Epping station (London Underground Central Line, zone 6) and Shenfield on all days including Friday and Saturday evenings.
- Heritage steam and diesel hauled train services in operation all three days and running until late evening Friday and Saturday.
- Tickets offer unlimited travel on heritage train and bus services.
- On board Real Ale bars.
- Craft beer, gin and wine bar at Ongar station
- Live music at each station at certain times each day and sometimes on board the trains too.
- The event has grown over the years - expect more beers, lots of trains and more fun in 2025!
Latest information HERE
Leave the car at home!
There is limited parking at our stations. Passengers can use the public car parks in Ongar which are a short walk away from the station, or use our vintage London bus service which will provide connections with all our train services to Epping Underground station (Central Line and in zone 6). Some buses will also run to Shenfield station for connections with Elizabeth Line and Greater Anglia services.
The Penny Salon Gallery at Ongar station
The Penny Salon Gallery at Ongar station will be open throughout the festival showing a topical photographic exhibition.
Hot food and snacks
The LNER Cafe at North Weald station and the Buffet Stop cafe at Ongar station will both be open during the daytime serving a selection of packaged goods, light snacks and hot and cold non alcoholic drinks.
Tickets and train fares
All day fares offer unlimited travel on all of our heritage train and vintage London bus services on the date of your visit. Tickets purchased in advance must be printed, or the barcode must be able to be scanned from your mobile device.
CAMRA members may purchase concession tickets. A valid CAMRA membership card must be shown at the ticket office or to the bus conductor.
All Day Tickets
Adult: £19.50
Child: £10
Concession: £18.50
Special evening fare
Valid on train and bus services after 17.00 on Friday and Saturday only
Adult: £12
Package offers
Get your train travel, your glass and first set of beer tokens. Additional beer tokens can be purchased on the day if required.
Adult (including £10 of beer tokens): £32.50
CAMRA member (including £10 of beer tokens): £31.50
Evening package (including £10 of beer tokens): £25 - valid for travel after 17.00 on Friday and Saturday only.
All tickets offer unlimited travel on the heritage trains and vintage London buses on the date of your visit. Alcohol must not be consumed on board the bus service.
Guide Prices
See website for event details.
Book Tickets Online
Facilities
Accessibility
- Disabled Parking - There is very limited parking available at the stations, with priority given to blue badge / disabled customers. Please drive and park with care, avoid blocking access and with consideration of our neighbours.
- Disabled persons toilet - Ladies and Gentlemen's toilets are available at Ongar and North Weald stations. Baby changing equipment is included within the Family Room / Ladies Waiting Room facilities at both stations. Disabled toilets are available in Ongar High Street (400 yards from station). Unfortunately, while we have enabled step-free access to Ongar building, the Grade II listed 1865 station does not accommodate a wheelchair accessible toilet. We have recently installed a new disabled toilet in our outlet building at North Weald.
- Facility for service dogs - Well controlled dogs, guide and assistance dogs are welcome on our railway at no extra charge. However we are unable to accept dogs, other than assistance dogs, on our dining trains. Should your companion feel thirsty, there are usually water bowls on the platforms with fresh water available. If you cannot find these, please don't hesitate to ask.
- Guide Dogs Permitted - Well controlled dogs, guide and assistance dogs are welcome on our railway at no extra charge. However we are unable to accept dogs, other than assistance dogs, on our dining trains. Should your companion feel thirsty, there are usually water bowls on the platforms with fresh water available. If you cannot find these, please don't hesitate to ask.
- Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors - There is very limited parking available at the stations, with priority given to blue badge / disabled customers
- Wheelchair user accessible - We are able to accommodate visitors with disabilities and in wheelchairs. Our Railway Access Statement - Policy for Disabled People is available to view online. Please do not hesitate to seek assistance from our friendly staff, who are here to help you enjoy your visit.
Catering
- Cafe - We have our Anglia café coach at North Weald, which serves a range of hot and cold drinks and light refreshments. We also have the "Buffet Stop" at Ongar, also selling hot and cold drinks, crisps and snacks. We recommend the Picnic and Viewing Area at Ongar to relax and unwind, offering a grandstand view of the station and locomotives. At North Weald we have a number of picnic tables around the site that you are welcome to use. There are a number of local pubs and restaurants in both Ongar and North Weald, all offering hot meals.
- On-Site cafe/restaurant - We have our Anglia café coach at North Weald, which serves a range of hot and cold drinks and light refreshments. We also have the "Buffet Stop" at Ongar, also selling hot and cold drinks, crisps and snacks. We recommend the Picnic and Viewing Area at Ongar to relax and unwind, offering a grandstand view of the station and locomotives. At North Weald we have a number of picnic tables around the site that you are welcome to use. There are a number of local pubs and restaurants in both Ongar and North Weald, all offering hot meals.
- Outdoor eating area - We recommend the Picnic and Viewing Area at Ongar to relax and unwind, offering a grandstand view of the station and locomotives. At North Weald we have a number of picnic tables around the site that you are welcome to use.
- Picnic area - We recommend the Picnic and Viewing Area at Ongar to relax and unwind, offering a grandstand view of the station and locomotives. At North Weald we have a number of picnic tables around the site that you are welcome to use.
- Picnic Site - We recommend the Picnic and Viewing Area at Ongar to relax and unwind, offering a grandstand view of the station and locomotives. At North Weald we have a number of picnic tables around the site that you are welcome to use.
- Refreshments Available - We have our Anglia café coach at North Weald, which serves a range of hot and cold drinks and light refreshments. We also have the "Buffet Stop" at Ongar, also selling hot and cold drinks, crisps and snacks. There are a number of local pubs and restaurants in both Ongar and North Weald, all offering hot meals.
Children & Infants
- Baby changing
- Family Friendly, Children Welcome
Establishment Features
- Dogs admitted on a lead - Well controlled dogs, guide and assistance dogs are welcome on our railway at no extra charge. However we are unable to accept dogs, other than assistance dogs, on our dining trains. Should your companion feel thirsty, there are usually water bowls on the platforms with fresh water available. If you cannot find these, please don't hesitate to ask.
- Dogs welcome - Well controlled dogs, guide and assistance dogs are welcome on our railway at no extra charge. However we are unable to accept dogs, other than assistance dogs, on our dining trains. Should your companion feel thirsty, there are usually water bowls on the platforms with fresh water available. If you cannot find these, please don't hesitate to ask.
- Toilets
- Toilets on Site - Ladies and Gentlemen's toilets are available at Ongar and North Weald stations. Baby changing equipment is included within the Family Room / Ladies Waiting Room facilities at both stations. Disabled toilets are available in Ongar High Street (400 yards from station). Unfortunately, while we have enabled step-free access to Ongar building, the Grade II listed 1865 station does not accommodate a wheelchair accessible toilet. We have recently installed a new disabled toilet in our outlet building at North Weald.
Parking & Transport
- Coach parking
- Free parking - There is very limited parking available at the stations, with priority given to blue badge / disabled customers. Please drive and park with care, avoid blocking access and with consideration of our neighbours.
- On site parking - There is very limited parking available at the stations, with priority given to blue badge / disabled customers. Please drive and park with care, avoid blocking access and with consideration of our neighbours.
- On site parking close by - There is pay and display public parking in Ongar and at Epping Station where Heritage buses will be picking up.
- Park and Ride - Park at Epping Station car park (pay and display) and pick up the EOR Heritage bus to North Weald Station.
- Railway station within 5 miles - Heritage buses pick-up from Epping Central Line station for this event
- Railway station within walking distance
Provider Preferences
- Countryside Setting
- Forest Location
- In countryside
- In town/city centre
- Outdoor Event
Specialist Features
- Cyclists welcome
- Family Fun
- Marketed Towards Children
- Marketed Towards Families
Map & Directions
Road Directions
North Weald : North Weald Station, Station Road, North Weald, CM16 6BT
Ongar Station : Ongar Station, Station Approach, Ongar, CM5 9BN
Epping Underground Station, Station Road, Epping, CM16 4HW
Heritage buses collect from Epping Station and heritage trains run between North Weald and Ongar.
Public Transport Directions
Central Line to Epping Station where Epping Ongar Railway heritage buses will pick up and take you to North Weald and Ongar with heritage trains running on the line.
