Accessibility

Accessibility

• Carer Discount

  We don’t offer discounts for passengers with disabilities, but we do offer a discount for carers.

  The discount offered to carers is equivalent to the SVR Child Member rate for the journey.

  One ‘carer fare’ is permitted per person with a disability. ‘Carer fares’ are available from online in advance, or the Booking Office on the day of travel.

  If you wish to spend a whole day on the railway during a normal operating day, the cost of a ‘Freedom of the Line’ ticket is £13 when booked more than three days in advance, £14.75 when booked less than three days in advance, or £16.50 when purchased on the day from a booking office. Revised fares are in operation during some events, such as Galas and our Step Back to the 1940s weekends, so the fare is higher.  

  One of the following must be provided as proof:

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Document
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Record Book or award letter for a child 
  • Attendance Allowance Book
  • Invalidity Benefit Book
  • Visual Impairment Registration Card (BD8)
  • Blue/Orange Parking Permit 
  • Nimbus Access Card
• Unlimited Pass

  Purchasing a Severn Valley Railway UNLIMITED Freedom of the Line Pass for many happy returns!

  • Unlimited visits on normal operating days
  • 10% savings in refreshment rooms and gift shops
  • Discounted special event tickets
  • Bring along up to two dogs free of charge
  • Valid for 12 months from the date of purchase

  An Unlimited Pass can be purchased to cover a person with a Disability + Carer for £185. Terms and conditions.

  Buy the Unlimited Pass.

• Accessible Carriages

  Our specially adapted heritage carriages have been designed to accommodate wheelchairs and electric scooters, with wider double doors and, portable access ramps, space to move on board and an accessible toilet. Each of these carriages carries its own ramp, to facilitate access for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs.  

  We aim to have a carriage on each of our services throughout the day. Unfortunately however our DMU (diesel multiple unit is not able to offer this service).

  You can alight at all stations, and our train crew and station staff will give assistance if you need it.

  All SVR services (excluding the Diesel Multiple Unit, DMU) can carry manual or powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters up to the following dimensional limitations:

  • Width: 700 millimetres
  • Length (including footplates): 1200 millimetres
  • Weight (loaded): no more than 350kg, which is the safe limit that many of our ramps can carry

  Some powered scooters are unfortunately unsuitable for carriage in heritage vehicles. This is because the majority of mobility scooters have wider turning circles than wheelchairs occupying the same space and tend to be heavier and therefore are not appropriate to take on board trains with the confined space in the carriages. We do undertake however to carry those models of scooter that can be folded down into lightweight and manageable components and those that fit within the wheelchair size above. 

  If you are not sure please contact us before your visit for further information.

• Stations & Parking

  Please remember that our stations were mostly built in the 1850s and therefore although we will always do our utmost to support our visitors, may pose some access difficulties.

  Parking charges can be waived for Blue Badge holders at all SVR car parks. Please report to the booking office with your Blue Badge, where the staff will give you a special code to permit free parking. You won’t need to return your Blue Badge to the car.

  Visitors with wheelchairs, mobility scooters and limited mobility can relax and enjoy their day.

  Kidderminster, DY10 1QX

  • Designated parking bays are situated immediately in front of the station building. These bays are heavily used.
  • We advise drivers to drop off passengers who have mobility problems at the door of the station.
  • Please note that the area at the front of the station building has a cobblestone surface, which may cause issues for some visitors.
  • Additional bays are located to the right of the entrance to the SVR’s car park, which is accessible along the small road to the right of Kidderminster Town station.
  • Additional parking can be found in the mainline station carpark next to the SVR at Kidderminster.
    

  Bewdley, DY12 1DP

  • Designated bays are situated immediately in front of the station building. These bays are adjacent to the platform for trains to Bridgnorth.
  • The toilets are also nearby.
  • The town of Bewdley is a downhill walk from the station which takes approximately 10 minutes. The return journey is hilly in parts.
  • For trains travelling to Kidderminster, passengers in wheelchairs must use the barrow crossing (assisted by a member of staff) at the far end of the station to join and leave the platform. Access is via a footpath at the end of the car park.

  Arley, Highley and Hampton Loade

  • Parking is very limited at these countryside stations. We advise against parking at these stations, as you may be disappointed to find no space when you arrive.

  The Engine House, Highley, WV16 6NZ

  • Designated bays are situated in front of The Engine House. The entrance to the Visitor Centre is adjacent.
  • These bays are suspended during certain special events.
  • Access from the Highley station to The Engine House is via a 150-yard path.
  • The Engine House has a lift to the first floor restaurant and viewing balcony.
  • Please allow additional time to cross the line at Highley, should you need to do so, as once the trains are in the station they will block the crossing. It will therefore not be possible to get to the other platform until after the trains have left.

  Bridgnorth, WV16 5DP

  • Designated bays are behind the signal box, and accessible using postcode WV16 4AX.
  • Access to platform 1 (the main platform) is a short, level walk away.
  • Platform 2 is also used on busier days and is accessible via a footbridge. A step-free crossing to platform 2 is available with staff assistance, when the line is clear. This involves a short walk with short, steep slopes at each end.
  • Wheelchair or mobility scooter users and those with walking aids should allow extra time to join or change trains, as it may not be possible to delay departures.
  • The town of Bridgnorth is hilly in parts, which may not be suitable for those with mobility issues, or wheelchair users.

  When thinking about parking, it is important to remember that the Railway is extremely busy during our special events. On these dates, parking at our main stations, Kidderminster, Bewdley or Bridgnorth is strongly recommended.

• Toilets

  There are toilets at all stations, excluding the halts. Toilets with full accessibility are available at Kidderminster, Highley (at The Engine House) and Bridgnorth:

  • Kidderminster’s toilet is next to the Gift Shop on the concourse, close to Platform 2.
  • The Engine House’s toilet is on the ground floor, next to the main toilets.
  • Bridgnorth’s accessible toilet is on Platform 1, next to the footbridge.

  The toilets at Bewdley have ramped access but are not specifically adapted for wheelchair users.

  We also have wheelchair accessible toilets on our wheelchair coaches.

• What to expect (a sensory guide) 

  Please be aware that heritage railways are very sensory heavy. However, we have put together a list of places that are, most of the time more quiet, and therefore should provide a sensory break if you require one.

  Locomotives pull into the station pulling the carriages, they will then be uncoupled and taken to the other end of the carriage to be pulled in the other direction, so if you are a little unsure about walking past them, please wait for the locomotive to move to the other end of the train. Locomotives and guards talk to each other by the use of whistles; this can be a little loud, but fun, so it is worth being ready for. Locomotives, like the rest of us, sometimes needs to blow off a little steam, this is also a little loud.

  Kidderminster

  • Kidderminster Railway Museum is often a quieter location, with a café available for drinks and snacks.

  Bewdley

  • Bewdley station is a small busy station with not much room, however, there are a small amount of picnic benches outside of the cafe.
  • Bewdley town and the river are a small but hilly walk from the station.
  • There are two small parks here; one behind the rowing club, and the other across the bridge and follow the river past the carpark.

  Highley

  • Highley is home to The Engine House Visitor Centre, this is a large building that can have a echo.
  • There is a café upstairs. Lifts are available and a viewing platform attached to the café.
  • There is also a small play area.
  • There is a picnic area outside, however, there is another picnic area just behind the signal box, by the station. This is fenced from the railway.
  • There is a quiet access road along the front of the area for the houses nearby.

  Arley

  • A quiet country station with two picnic areas, and wonderful walk across the river (if a little hilly) to Arley Arboretum.

  Hampton Loade

  • A lovely country station with a picnic area fenced from the railway. On Sunday mornings in the summer, the miniature Paddock Railway operates and a kiosk with drinks and snacks.
  • Country walks are available from this site.

  Bridgnorth

  • This is a busy station, in the town of Bridgnorth.
  • There is a café and a pub, these are often busy.
• Assistance and Support Dogs

  Assistance and support dogs travel free of charge and are of course very welcome:

  • Dogs must remain on the floor of coaches and are not permitted on seats, tables or laps in any circumstances.
  • Dogs should not be easily frightened, railways can be loud, for example; sudden escapes of steam and locomotive whistles.
  • Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and under strict control.
  • If a Dog is causing unnecessary disruption (including, but not limited to, biting, barking, or fighting with another Dog etc.) SVR Staff may request that for the safety of our Passengers, Staff & Volunteers, the Dog is refused travel onboard our services and/or asked to leave SVR premises.
  • If a Dog is so large that it is blocking an aisle the SVR on train Guard may require that for safety it is carried in the Guard’s van on the train.
  • Dogs must not be allowed to defecate anywhere and any incidents should be cleared away by their owners.
• Dining Trains

  The historic design of our dining car carriages, with narrow doors and gangways, means it is not possible to accommodate wheelchairs at a table in one of these carriages. 

  Please note that passengers with mobility issues must, at present, be able to climb up or down a step to get into or out of our dining carriages. Our staff will be happy to assist you getting on board, and will arrange for your wheelchair or scooter to be carried in the brake van.

  On our standard trains where a buffet car is available, we endeavour to offer an at-seat refreshment service.