Keighley & Worth Valley Railway: Explore Brontë Country by Steam Train

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) is a unique 5-mile branch line in West Yorkshire, which offers steam and diesel train services, taking you from the former industrial town of Keighley to the scenic Brontë Country of Haworth and Oxenhope.

Whether you’re a train enthusiast or you’re just looking for a fun day out in Yorkshire, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway promises a fun journey for both adults and children.

In this short guide, I’ll give a summary of what to expect from one of best things to do in and around Haworth.

About Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway is a preserved line that connects with the national railway network at Keighley, running 5 miles up the Worth Valley to Oxenhope.

Established by the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society after British Railways closed the line in 1962, the railway reopened in June 1968, just before steam services ended on British Railways.

The railway is famous for its role in the 1970 film adaptation of Edith Nesbit’s “The Railway Children” and has since featured in numerous films and TV shows, including “Testament of Youth,” “Swallows & Amazons,” and “Peaky Blinders.”

Visiting Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

Since reopening in 1968, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway has delighted thousands of passengers with its heritage train services through the Worth Valley.

For a particularly memorable experience, you can also visit during one of the many events in Haworth.

A Day Rover ticket offers unlimited travel for a day, allowing you to explore all stations and enjoy free entry to the award-winning ‘Carriage Works’ and ‘Engine Shed’ museums at Ingrow West Station.

Full Line Return tickets provide a complete round trip of the line and can be purchased on the day from any booking office. Various other fare options are also available.

KWVR Visiting Info

Ticket Prices for 2026

• • Day Rover for 1 Adult aged 16+: £20.70
    Saves £2.30

 

• • Day Rover for 1 Child aged 5 to 15: £10.35
    Saves £1.15

 

• • FAMILY OFFER: 1 Adult + 1 Child travelling together: £25.75
    Saves £3.00 — buying together saves 50% on the Child ticket.

 

• • FAMILY OFFER: 2 Adults + up to 3 Children travelling together: £51.75
    Saves £5.75 — pay for 2 adults and 1 child; 2 extra children travel free.

 

• Child aged 4 or younger: £0.00
  No charge, but please let KWVR know so a ticket can be printed.

KWVR Stations

The railway has six total stations including the lesser used Damems Station.

Keighley Station

 

 

Keighley is the northern terminus of the KWVR, conveniently located near the town centre. It features a 1950s British Railways atmosphere, with platforms 3 and 4 showcasing original features like a glass canopy and waiting room.

The station also connects with national rail services to Bradford, Carlisle, Leeds, Skipton, and the West Coast, making it an ideal starting point for your journey.

Ingrow West Station

Ingrow West is the first stop from Keighley, known for its museums. The station building was relocated from Foulridge in Lancashire and now features a Victorian-era ambience.

It houses the ‘RailStory Classroom,’ an educational facility for children to learn about railways and other subjects in a former railway carriage.

Damems Station

Damems, the smallest operating passenger station in the UK, is nestled in a wooded section of the Worth Valley. Though not easily accessible by road, it offers a unique atmosphere worth the visit.

Despite its size, Damems has a rich history. It once had its own stationmaster’s house and sidings servicing a nearby mill. The station opened in 1868, closed in 1949, and was revived by the KWVR in 1968. The small signal box at Damems was relocated from Earby in Lancashire.

Note: Damems is now a request stop, so you’ll need to inform a train guard if you wish to board or alight here.

Oakworth Station

Oakworth Station, is famed for its role in the 1970 film “The Railway Children.” This Edwardian-style station retains an authentic historical atmosphere with open fires, a period booking office, and original advertisements.

Oakworth Station remains a must-see for “The Railway Children” fans. The station has also been a frequent winner of the ‘Best Restored Station’ competition, despite extensive renovations required in the 1980s due to dry rot. The five-ton crane is a historical feature that visitors can still see today.

Haworth Station

Haworth Station, a key stop on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, serves as the hub for the railway’s operations, locomotive maintenance, and engineering.

Visitors can tour the locomotive shed and see the impressive steam and diesel engines up close. The station also houses the railway’s offices and a well-stocked shop.

Haworth itself is renowned for its connection to the Brontë sisters, with the Brontë Parsonage Museum just a short walk away, making it a must-visit for literature enthusiasts.

Oxenhope Station

Oxenhope Station, the last stop, offers ample free parking and is a stone’s throw from the village centre.

The station features a shop, a relocated booking office with an open fireplace, and a charming tearoom housed in a vintage railway carriage.

The head-shunt extension allows for dual locomotive operations, while the landscaped area includes a car park, picnic area, and children’s adventure playground.

You can explore the Exhibition Shed for a close-up view of historic locomotives and enjoy the new sculpture trail around the village.