NEW! Wonderful Wizards and Fabulous FairiesWednesdays 1 and 8 April, Sunday 12 April

BRAND NEW EVENT FOR 2026!

Join us, and the magical Wizardee, for an enchanting day out with Wonderful Wizards and Fabulous Fairies.

Expect a whirlwind of magic, spells and more - with a sprinkling of fairy dust too! 

Our steam hauled train services will be operated by 6989 Wightwick Hall, in its unique red livery fresh from an appearance hauling the Hogwarts Express in the highly anticipated Harry Potter television series. 

Collect your answer sheet and follow the clues on our dragon treasure hunt. All completed answer sheets will win a prize! 

Our vintage London buses will be running too. 

Take to the rails and ride the red film star train that will feature in forthcoming in Harry Potter TV series - 6989 Wightwick Hall. You'll be able to meet our wizards and magicians, the balloon fairy godmother and our cantankerous Professor of Potions during the journey and at our stations. The Wizardee will be on board the trains with mix and mingle magic that will leave you amazed and astounded!

Upon arrival, children will receive a sheet with clues to follow the dragon treasure hunt around the railway - be sure to keep watch out of the windows during your journey. At the end of your visit, return the sheet to one of our gift shops at either Ongar or North Weald and receive a magical treat.

Passengers are encouraged to dress as their favourite character.

Getting to us

You can start your journey at any of our stations, or on the vintage London bus service from Epping Underground or Shenfield stations. 

It's easy to get to us via the London Underground. Our inclusive vintage London buses will run from right outside the front of Epping Underground station (Central Line, zone 6), connecting with our train services at North Weald station. Buses also depart from Shenfield station for connections with Elizabeth Line and Greater Anglia services.

THERE IS NO PUBLIC PARKING AT OUR STATIONS

There is only limited car parking for disabled passengers at our stations, which must be booked in advance. Public car parks are available in Ongar (charges may apply), a short walk from the station (use postcode CM5 9AB); Alternatively passengers may park at Epping Station (charges apply) and join our vintage London bus service (use postcode CM16 4HW). 

The bus services are included in your great value fare.

More details about how to get to us

At North Weald

Our gift shop will be open with a wide selection of souvenirs for sale.

The LNER Café will be open offering a range of hot and cold drinks and light refreshments to take away.

At Ongar

You can watch the locomotive run around the train, and find the point where all distances on the underground are measured from!

Our gift shop will be open and light refreshments will be available.

The Penny Salon Gallery will be open featuring our new exhibition 'London Town'. Admission is free so why not take a look during the day. 

On board magic!

Watch out for the Wizardee, who will on board some trains delivering magic tricks that will astound and amaze, and leave you wondering "just how did he do that"?

Soft Play bus at North Weald (Wednesday 8 April only)

On Wednesday 8 April a soft play bus will be at North Weald station.

For an additional charge you can enjoy a 30 minute session on board the playbus, which features 3 floors of fun, slides from top floors to the bottom, illuminated ball pits and more!

Supervision of children on board the bus remains the responsibility of the parent or guardian at all times. We are not liable for minor accidents such as cuts, bruises, or falls that occur during the use of the equipment. Any accident or incident must be reported immediately to staff on the bus.

You can purchase tickets when selecting 8 April from the calendar via the link below. Soft Play tickets do not include any heritage train or vintage London bus travel. However, there is no parking at North Weald station. If you wish to include heritage train and vintage bus travel then you must additionally purchase an All Day Rover ticket.

Train and Bus Times

The timetables for train services and the connecting buses from Epping Underground (Central Line, zone 6) and Shenfield National Rail stations can be found by following the link below and selecting the date of your visit in the calendar.

Heritage train and vintage bus times

Fares

The following great value fares apply today: 

Adult: £17.50
Child: £12
Family (up to 2 adults and 3 children): £57

Children under 3 are free - no ticket needed!

Tickets are valid all day long and offer unlimited travel on all our heritage steam and diesel trains and vintage London buses on the date of your visit. 

Services are planned to be hauled by the Hogwarts Express locomotive, 6989 Wightwick Hall alongside a heritage diesel locomotive as indicated above and on our timetables. The Epping Ongar Railway reserves the right to substitute 6989 Wightwick Hall for an alternative steam locomotive, or diesel, or vice versa, in case of locomotive failure or other unavoidable circumstances.