The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway is easy to reach, whether you’re visiting by car, coach, train or on foot. Running through the heart of the Cotswolds, our stations are well placed for visitors staying locally or travelling from further afield.
Below you’ll find everything you need to plan your journey.
Where We Are
The railway runs for 14 miles between Cheltenham Race Course in the south and Broadway in the north, with stations at Toddington and Winchcombe along the way. You can start your visit at any of our main stations, depending on where you’re travelling from and what you’d like to explore.
Smaller Stations
While Gotherington and Hayles Abbey Halt offer beautiful rural access for walkers, please note they have no parking or facilities; we recommend starting your journey at one of our four main stations instead.
Exit M5 at Junction 9 (Tewkesbury): Take the A46 toward Evesham.
Turn Toward Stow: After approx. 3 miles, at the roundabout, take the B4077 toward Stow-on-the-Wold.
Toddington Station: Stay on the B4077 for 5 miles. At the roundabout, take the second exit (straight on) toward Stow. The entrance to Toddington Station is on your right, just 140 yards after the roundabout.
Exit M5 at Junction 11 (Cheltenham): Take the A40 toward Cheltenham.
Toward the Racecourse: At the second roundabout, take the second exit toward Swindon Village and Racecourse (A4013 - Princess Elizabeth Way).
Through Swindon Village: Continue through the next two roundabouts, following signs for Swindon Village/Racecourse.
Cheltenham Race Course Station: Follow the signs for the Racecourse (Park & Ride). The entrance to our Cheltenham Race Course station is located within the main Racecourse complex.
Approach Evesham: Follow the A46 southbound toward Evesham.
Toward Broadway: At the roundabout joining the A44, take the exit toward Broadway/Oxford.
Entering Broadway: Follow the A44 for approximately 5 miles. At the roundabout shortly after Wickhamford, take the third exit into Broadway Village.
Broadway Station: Follow the signs for the village centre. The station Car Park is on the right, just before the low bridge going over the road.
To Stow-on-the-Wold: Follow the A40 towards Burford, then take the A424 towards Stow-on-the-Wold.
Through Stow: At the second set of traffic lights in the centre of Stow-on-the-Wold, follow the A424/A429 briefly, then turn onto the B4077 (signposted towards Tewkesbury and Toddington).
The Scenic Route: Continue on the B4077 for approximately 6 miles. After passing through the village of Ford, continue for another 2 miles, enjoying the descent down Stanway Hill.
Toddington Station: The entrance to Toddington Station will be on your left, just after you go over the railway bridge and before the roundabout.
Arriving by Car
Most visitors arrive by car, with parking available at our main stations:
Broadway (WR12 7DF) - Perfect for combining your railway trip with a visit to the village. Please park in the sign-posted Pay and Display car park located on the opposite side of the road from the station driveway.
Toddington (GL54 5DT) - Our main hub and a popular starting point with our largest free car park.
Hayles Abbey Halt - A quiet rural halt for walkers; please note there is no vehicle access or parking available here.
Winchcombe (GL54 5LD) - Ideal if you are staying nearby or exploring the historic town. Limited parking is available on-site.
Gotherington - Accessible only on foot from Granna Lane. There is no parking available, and the former station building is a private residence with no public access.
Cheltenham Race Course (GL50 4SH) - Convenient for visitors approaching from the south. Entry is through the main Racecourse entrance. When you reach the security gate, simply inform the staff that you are visiting the Railway and follow the road up and over the hill to our dedicated parking area (approximately 1/4 mile).
By Bus
The Cotswolds are served by several local bus routes that pass near our stations:
To Cheltenham Race Course: Regular services run from Cheltenham town centre and the mainline station. Please note that the bus stop is a 15-minute walk from our station.
To Winchcombe & Toddington: Local routes connect these villages with larger towns like Cheltenham and Evesham.
To Broadway: Bus services link Broadway village with Evesham, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Cheltenham.
Local Services:
606 operated by Pulman Coaches provides a service between Cheltenham, Willersey, and Chipping Campden, and stops near Broadway, Toddington and Winchcombe stations.
D and E services operated by Stagecoach provides a very frequent service between the Racecourse, Cheltenham town centre and Cheltenham Spa mainline station.
Note: We recommend checking the latest bus timetables via Traveline or local operator websites before your journey, as services can be limited on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
By Train
From Cheltenham Spa Mainline Station
The nearest mainline station is Cheltenham Spa, which has regular services from Birmingham, Bristol, London, and beyond. To reach our Cheltenham Race Course Station from there:
By Bus: Catch the Stagecoach D or E service from the mainline station to the entrance of Cheltenham Racecourse. From the bus stop, it is approximately a 15-minute walk through the racecourse grounds to our station.
By Taxi: A taxi journey from the Cheltenham Spa rank takes around 10–15 minutes.
By Foot: It is a 2.6-mile walk from Cheltenham Spa Station to our Racecourse station, which includes using the footpath that follows the former trackbed of the Honeybourne line.
From Evesham Mainline Station
If you are traveling from the north, you can reach our Broadway Station via Evesham:
By Bus: Take the R4 service from Evesham station, which stops near our Broadway Station.
By Taxi: A taxi journey from the Evesham station takes around 15-20 minutes.
Note: Please check the timetable carefully before travelling by bus from Evesham, as this is an infrequent service
Arriving on Foot or by Bike
Several of our stations are directly accessible via beautiful local footpaths and cycle routes, making the railway a perfect addition to a day out in the Cotswold countryside.
Walking: Hayles Abbey Halt and Gotherington are only accessible on foot. They are particularly popular with hikers, with Hayles Abbey being a favourite stop for those walking the Cotswold Way.
Cycling: We welcome cyclists at our stations and cycles may be carried on our trains. If you wish to take your bike on the train, please keep the following in mind:
Speak to the Guard: Before boarding, please contact the Train Guard to ensure there is space and to be directed to the correct area of the train.
First-Come, First-Served: Bicycle space is limited and cannot be reserved in advance.
Accessibility Priority: Space in our multi-use areas is always prioritised for passengers with disabilities and wheelchair users.
Peak Times and Events: On particularly busy days or during special events, we may not be able to accommodate bicycles on our trains.
Smaller Stations: Becouse Gotherington and Hayles Abbey Halt have very short platforms, so it is not possible to load or unload a bicycle at these stations.
E-scooters: Please note that E-scooters are not permitted on our trains or at our stations.
A Warm Welcome Awaits
However you choose to arrive, our volunteers are ready to welcome you and help you start your day on the railway. If you have any questions before travelling, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.