Churnet Valley Railway - (Kingsley and Froghall,Station) Reviews Summary

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "All the staff play a part of that experience. The actors on board work had to make the magic."
• "We were greeted by volunteers and paid staff with politeness and professionalism."
• "Staff/ entertainers were amazing and wonderful with the children."
• "Staff were helpful and friendly."
• "The staff were amazing, helping us with our special needs son."
• "Staff are so welcoming, friendly and make it fun!"
• "Staff were very knowledgeable, friendly and professional."

Cons:

• "Despite several calls and emails I have been unable to book the Bombay Express for a birthday treat."
• "Nevertheless we have lost £214. I was prepared to pay a penalty for a no show! Clearly Churnet Valley Railway displayed no Seasonal Good Will in my case."
• "The staff on the vending ie food could do with a little work as they got flustered very easily and wasn't out to please any customers."
• "I emailed to complain and was met with rudeness shocking!!!!"
• "Absolutely disgusted with the customer service from the office admin 'Debbie' at this company."
• "Booked tickets for an event and due to terrible illness unable to attend. Tried to cancel 4 weeks prior to event therefore they could re sell but no compassion and refused refund."
• "Felt very unwelcome... People staring at us like we had 3 eyes."

Train Experience

Pros:

• "A thoroughly enjoyable experience for the whole family."
• "Really nice journey in a secluded and remote feeling valley, despite being so close to major conurbations."
• "The Polar Express was good but there didn't seem to be much effort to make the station experience magical."
• "A fantastic, albeit steady, and slightly short, journey on vintage trains."
• "POLAR EXPRESS what an amazingly ridiculously special experience this is!"
• "It's quite a scenic line, not particularly long although yesterday the trains were going as far as Ipstones loop which involves an approximately 4 mile climb on a gradient of 1 in 45 - plenty of smoke and noises!"
• "The carriage was clean and well looked after."

Cons:

• "The only food they had was 2 chocolate muffins and a piece of sponge cake."
• "Very good experience but it takes a long time to get there and back, so wouldn't recommend for children as they would get bored."
• "The parking is far as warned in the confirmation/ticket email so prepare for a walk over a narrow bridge walkway."
• "The train did not seem very maintained and cleaned! Old and torn seats and it does not allow you to get off for pictures at any point!"
• "It is fun but also loud - anyone with sensitivities to sound will struggle."
• "Was a bit disappointed that there weren't many places to get off like they were advertised on the website, and the view from the windows wasn't up to much."
• "We were advised to eat at the pub in Consall but the route from the station was too difficult for our limited mobility friend."

Facilities and Accessibility

Pros:

• "A mid sized preserved line with regular steam engines, unlike some other lines which are often only diesel powered."
• "Was given voucher as birthday present. Easy to book. Easy to find."
• "Friendly informative staff. Decent station cafe at the end of the journey too."
• "Can't wait for the real ale train, one payment and travel on and off all day stopping at each station and local pubs."
• "The stations have their retro charm and there are nice pubs at each stop."
• "The trains are clean and so are the toilets at the station."
• "The station was interesting with a gift shop and cafe."

Cons:

• "Tickets are a little pricey for individual adults for this short route and I’m not sure why dogs are charged £3.50."
• "The only downside I would say was the toilet facilities once on the train."
• "The only two slight negatives was the lack of anything to do before the actual train ride and the cost of the merchandise."
• "You need deep pockets. For the dog, they wanted £10.00 to travel, because the dog causes a lot more cleaning apparently."
• "Disappointed was told to book a voucher which I paid more for so we could have a table for two as my husband has Parkinsons ended up sitting with two strangers who never shut up the whole journey."
• "However being winter the gift shop was not open and a full menu was not available in the cafe."
• "No water bowls were available at any stop and I was left wondering what exactly I was paying this exceptional price for."

Food and Refreshments

Pros:

• "Lovely hot, fresh chips and a bacon and egg bap."
• "Dropped mum and dad off for an exclusive meal on a steam train, and they said the food was outstanding."
• "The food was amazing, we were seated in the first class carriage and the seats were really comfy."
• "The food was perfect."
• "Afternoon cream tea was tasty."
• "Food was delicious...even warmed the plates."
• "The afternoon tea was delicious with scones and cakes."

Cons:

• "The Yorkshire pudding was black as were the roast potatoes, so these could not be eaten."
• "We got there early and got sandwiches, tea and cake as the buffet was not on due to a wedding party hire."
• "No on board buffet car for a two hour thirty minute trip, unless you had paid for a breakfast!!!!! Shame"
• "Scenery a bit mundane but was all let down by the Sunday lunch really poor."
• "Not the best curry you have done."
• "The cafe was disappointing as not serving any food."
• "Only bacon rolls and sausage baps available."