Toddington

The Heart of the GWSR

Toddington holds a special place in both railway history and the story of the GWSR. The original station opened in 1904 as part of the Great Western Railway’s Honeybourne Line, serving the local community and the surrounding fruit-growing industry until its closure in 1960.

Two decades later, Toddington’s railway story came back to life. In 1981, a small band of enthusiasts chose this very site to begin their dream of restoring steam to the Cotswolds. With little more than determination, a few tools, and a shared vision, they cleared decades of overgrowth, rebuilt the track, and laid the foundations of what would become the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.

Toddington isn’t just another stop along the line - it’s where the GWSR began, and where it still feels most alive.

At the Station

There’s always something happening at Toddington. It’s home to our Locomotive Department and engineering workshops, where engines are maintained, restored and brought back to life by a dedicated team of volunteers and skilled craftsmen.

Visitors can peek behind the scenes with guided tours of the locomotive sheds, explore heritage displays in vintage coaches, and even try their hand at signalling in the demonstration signal box. The yard viewing area offers a great vantage point to see locomotives up close, while the narrow gauge railway beside the station is a family favourite for younger visitors.

Alight Here For…

You don't have to wander far to find the magic of Toddington. The station is a hive of activity where the golden age of steam is still very much a daily reality.

• Loco Yard Viewing Area: Get a front-row seat to the action at our main locomotive depot. From this dedicated vantage point, you can watch our engineering team at work and see our fleet of steam and diesel engines being prepped for the rails

• The Cotswold Halt Café: The perfect spot to refuel. Enjoy a selection of hot drinks, local cakes, and light lunches while watching the trains pull in and out of the platform.

• Mini-Demonstration Signal Box: Ever wondered how a railway stays on track? Step into our "hands-on" signal box to see the levers and bells in action and learn the secrets of Victorian railway safety.

• Children’s Play Area: Let the little engineers burn off some steam! Our play area is located safely within the station grounds, making it an ideal break for families between journeys.

• Toddington Narrow Gauge Railway: A hidden gem located just beside the main station operated by the North Gloucestershire Railway. This charming line offers a different perspective on rail travel (Open selected Sundays throughout the summer—please visit the Toddington Narrow Gauge Railway website for opening times and timetable).

Exploring Further Afield

• Stanway House & Fountain: Just one mile away, this golden-stone Jacobean manor boasts the world’s tallest gravity-fed fountain, reaching heights of 300 feet. Note: As there is no pedestrian footpath along the B4077, we recommend reaching Stanway via a quick 2-minute drive or by bicycle rather than on foot.