it's very lovely place

I visited EMSR with my 2- and 7-year old. The grounds of this place are so well kept, someone spends ALOT of time keeping it neat, clean and well-cared for. The steam train is far better than your average, as is the playground. I almost don't want to write a decent review in case everyone goes! Despite being a busy half-term day in May, there was still plenty of space and peace. This place has a really friendly, happy vibe (possibly due to all the waving at the train!). We only went for a couple of hours and ended up spending 5 hours instead. Decent value for money, although any more expensive and I think it would be prohibitive.

A lovely sunny day for a weekday trip on the miniature steam train!! A single trip or multi trip ticket available... I bought a single trip but for children I would buy a multi trip ticket....Well organised, lovely trains which go through a tunnel, well designed, also tables around the lake to have picnics, cafe with tables,chairs and sunshades and toilets on site so can easily spend the day....
My only regret was that the train loop was over so quickly..!!

lovely day out with the kids, great value £24 for family of 5 (under 3 was free) and unlimited train rides. wasn't to busy as the weather was a bit poor but even so was busier enough with lots of families enjoying the attractions.
great playground for all ages and a maze (beware of the nettles) well worth a visit.

A very entertaining place for kids. Our 30 month old boy loved the train ride and playground activities. There's not a huge amount to do but the entrance fee is very reasonable. The trek around the park is a lovely walk, and not too long. It was trying its hardest to rain whilst we where there and glad it didn't, as there's not much to do in the dry! Well worth a visit though and all the staff were very friendly.

I had my nephew in my care for a couple of days so we decided to take him. He is four and a big train lover. The areas were superbly clean. The train ride was fantastic. Hats off he he train driver, he must be very dizzy at the end of the day. The cafe food was delicious and very reasonably priced. Lovely members of staff.

My one only moan is that there were lots of stinging nettles in the maze. Someone just needs to go in and trim them cos they really were big.

A great morning had by fin aged 4 and grandad aged 72 ;)

We took our 20 month daughter and had a great afternoon. It is a very child friendly place with an extensive playground, and the railway is really fun!

I went with my husband and 6 year old daughter. We found it by accident, and we weren't really sure what we'd find! But it was absolutely lovely. My daughter said it was 'really stunning' (big words from a 6 year old!) Cheap to get in, (about 6 pounds a head I think), and we had 3 goes on the mini train, did the lovely nature walk around the lake (which is dotted with mini playgrounds to help the kids along!) - a great little maze too, and a number of lovely playgrounds. Add a decent cafe and a shop (stocking many toy trains, and thankfully lots of things under 5 pounds!) and we had a really lovely time. We spent about 4 hours there, and left because it started to rain - the only reason we left! If there is a bad point to this place, it is only that it is all outdoors, so no good on a rainy day. But generally, I think this is highly recommended and really good value for money.

Our grand-children love Eastbourne Minature Railway. The entrance charge includes one free ride, but you can pay extra for unlimited rides ... which is well worth the extra.
The play area was improved from our last visit, a maze whilst still being established had been added, and the walk around the lake had been improved.
A lot had been achieved during the winter closure.
Facilities on site include toilets and cafe which are more than adequate, however, we'd recommend taking a picnic as there are many picnic tables you can use.
If going in the Summer, beware of wasps or have a wasp-eze in your bag!!

We are a couple with a toddler. We love the place and have a years membership. We go at least a couple of times a month as it is great for a short or long visit. Our little one loves the play areas and loves walking the nature route with mini play areas along the way. Never tried the food there as we always take picnics as there are so many different locations to sit. Staff on the train always very friendly and welcoming. If you are local membership is a must and very cheap, train rides are not included in membership price but you do get a big discount

One of the peaceful and beautiful parks. I would suggest to buy unlimited ride tickets for steam train. Adults can ride as well. A different experience and must in Easrbourne<br>.Park has kids play area, fishing pond, flower gardens, nature walk etc. Best places to spend more than half a day

We are regulars at the miniature railway, my boys absolutely love it. The park has lots of space and the new additions to the site in the form of the maze and extra garden and play areas on the walk around the lake are particularly welcome. This particular visit was very muddy due to the recent rainfall but that just made it more fun for the boys!

Our first time here and will definitely be returning. Very friendly staff and impressed that even the men's toilets have baby changing facilities! Lovely walk around the pond with a fantastic array of play park equipment and lots of space/tables for picnics. Menu at the cafe fine for older children and adults but staff very accommodating and did my little girl a portion of baked beans which she loves. Highly recommended place to visit especially for young families.

Great place to go. Kids love the Trains and park.

Great day out specially for small children. Great fun even in rainy day. Lovely one of Eastbourne attractions. Recommend

Really great place to go if you have small children. Nice cafe and friendly staff. Great steam engines. The whole park is very clean and well maintained. Recommended. Membership makes for good value if you are local

Lovly place to have a family day out lots to do for hole family children will love it as all staff are friendly and very helpfull as last time we went one of my girls lost us the staff looked after her till they found us<br>I say five stars to all staff and thank you

What a fantastic place to take young children. This attraction is family run and the staff are fantastic. You can ride on the miniature trains, take a walk around the lake, solve the maze or play in the adventure playground. Food is good and reasonably priced. There is a large car park which is free.

I love the Eastbourne Mini Steam Railway, and have been going here with my nieces and nephew since 2009. It's fun getting to ride the train, and kids have lots of play structures and play areas to play and run around. Bring a picnic, or buy snacks there.

This is a lovely little place and ideal for the little ones.

They'll love it and it's great to take a picnic and chill out by the lake.

Recommend if you want to visit somewhere different

I have never had a problem parking there, even on busy days.

If you live fairly nearby, the family season ticket makes soooo much sense. But even the day ticket isn't expensive. Buy your train rides from the entrance. Even if you don't use all in the year, they did tell me they accept previous years unused train ride tickets.

Once through the gate, you are greeted by a large area where the cafe is and the toilets. Food is really good and not over priced. Menu more snacky lunch than main meal, offering sandwiches, jackets, pasties, etc.. Plus the usual treats of cakes, choc bars and ice creams.

Here is also where the train station is.

Off to the right there is a good play area and picnic area, plus a shop offering picnicy things. Further round is a play area for younger kids which is fenced in.

If you want you can walk around the lake which on a sunny day is a nice length of walk with two play areas on route with child size houses. There is also a maze, but my only concern with the maze was last year, there always seemed to be lots of bees about.

The train rides around the lake and takes a few minutes. Most days they run a single service which is generally a nice steam loco and rarely a diesel. Only when really busy do they run two trains.

Even on busy days, the place is so large that once inside it doesn't feel claustrophobic. Only likely to have queues for food at lunch time on busy days.

It's only when you read up on the place that you find out it is run by a family. The dad runs the trains, mum runs the cafe and the daughter is on the entrance. You could well find other family members working there, I don't know. But it is so nice to have this old style feel to a place that makes it that bit more friendly and staff more interested in the customers happiness.

At the end of the day, as you leave, there is a shop with many, many, many things for kids to claim is a must have.

Or you can sneak out the way you came and avoid the shop altogether. :-)

I love this place and in years to come when my child is too old, I can see myself having to borrow friends children to give me an excuse to come here.

Brilliant day out with husband and three year old son. Website doesn't do the place justice. Arrived at 10am and left at 3pm with never a dull moment. Make sure to buy the unlimited train ride tickets. Play area is great, something for every size and plenty of equipment even on busy days. Food from the cafe is okay. I'd recommend bringing a pack lunch as there are many picnic tables. The place is very clean, although the toilets could have been more frequently attended to. Nature walk around the lake was a good distance for the family with many opportunities to wave at passing trains. Pretty tricky maze to navigate but we made it out! In sum, we loved it!!! Would definitely recommend and will visit again. Shop had good selection of toys too.

Great day out for all the family! Annual membership is worth its value can get buy extra train rides. Great picnic area lovely views of the south downs too. 😊

A enjoyable ride on a miniature train (often a steam train but can change depending on the day) which follows a track around a nature walk. Unlimited rides available as an entry price.

There's also plenty of playgrounds dotted around the nature trail when the kids need a bit of a break from the train rides.

Also moveable model train sets and miniature Thomas train for the kids to watch but at additional cost (take plenty of 20ps!)

Food available but basic

An excellent family day with my wife, son, daugther-in-law and grandchildren, one of which is autistic. We purchased the 'Family Unlimited' ticket (£26.50), which really is the sensible way to go as it gives unlimited rides on the train - a delight for both children and adults! There is also a play park, which is very child friendly.

The on-site coffee dock and shop are clean, reasonably priced and the staff are very good.

Would I go back ... in a flash! And I'd go on the train again!!