Southern At War
We’re thrilled to share the news that Southern At War is making a comeback at The Bluebell Railway in 2024!
This highly anticipated event will transport you back in time, this year celebrating and commemorating the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord. You won’t want to miss out on a weekend filled with re-enactors, classic vehicles, displays, stands, and more. Get into the spirit of the occasion by dressing up in your finest period clothing and immersing yourself in the 1940s once again.
Make sure to mark your calendars and be a part of this heartfelt celebration. Stay tuned for more details on the event, which we’ll be sharing soon. Don’t miss the chance to experience history firsthand!
More details and confirmation of entertainments to follow.
Bookings for exhibitions, vehicles and entertainment is now open, please email here to register your interest in taking part in Southern At War 2024.
LIST OF ATTENDEES & ACTIVITIES FOR SOUTHERN AT WAR (More To Be Confirmed)
- Simply Spitfire– Spitfire on display and cockpit visits. Display of weapons also available? Mk 9- unique hand-built, full-sized Spitfire.
- Harvey’s Buff’s – WWII Re-enactment group- British soldiers
- Dickie Lines & Dolly Bag– Impressionists to Music
- Carnival Ices– Ice Cream Van
- Sussex Home Guard– The 23rd Sussex Home Guard: WWII arms and tactical drill with selection of deactivated armoury.
- Blackout Buddies– Re-enactment group in honour of ‘Dads Army’
- Royal British Legion (TBC)
- Flypast from BBMF– Both Saturday & Sunday (TBC)
- Viv The Spiv!
- Sparky & Sprite: Music Duo
- Two musical 1940’s soloists– Stephanie Bell (Sat) and Retro Rosie (Sun)
- ARP Wimborne
- Radar Room
- Ex-Military Land Rover Display
- Field Hospital
- Field Kitchen
- Bomb Disposal Unit
- Radio Communications Display
- NAAFI Wagon
- Afrika Corps– WW2 German Re-enactment- Showcasing History from both sides
- Axis weapons display
- German motorcycle and sidecar
- Wings Museum– Display
- Avro Lancaster Cockpit Display (TBC)
- Squadron X– RAF Living History
- Heroes With Grimy Faces– Wartime Fire Service Group
- Hands-On History – Gas Mask Box Making
- 43 Recce Group– Re-Enactment Group
- Pillbox Display
- IFJD GruneTeufel Re-enactment Group– German personal display, small arms, mortars, HMG and other equipment used by German paratroopers.
- Essential 40’s promenade Group– Dance Group
- Vintage Tea Room
- Bells Parlour – Vintage Hair Dressing
- Time For The Signs– Vintage Trader
- Odd Bods– Vintage Items & Sweets
- Vintage Pin-Up Studio– Vintage Make-Over Photography Pop-Up
- 1940s Clothing Display
- Children’s Activities– Assault Course, Sand Pits & Sandbag Filling (At Horsted Keynes)
- Kent Desert Rats– Living History Display
The Bluebell Railway Museum at Sheffield Park will also be displaying a selection of WWII photographs, relating to the railway’s involvement during the Second World War. They will be found on Platform 2 during the weekend event.
A Display Of Vintage Cars & Other Machinery Will Be On Display At Both Horsted Keynes & Sheffield Park During The Weekend. More Details On This Will Be Publicised In Due Course!
CUSTOMER INFORMATION
Discounts:
- Proof of discount eligibility will be required to be shown on the day of travel.
- Heritage Railway reciprocal discounts are available for this event – please select BRPS Member rate tickets
- We regret TOC discounts are not applicable to this event
Tickets:
- Children under 3yrs (and babies) travel for free and don’t need a ticket
- Tickets are valid for the date specified on the ticket only
- Advance tickets are valid for 3rd class travel only – first class upgrades are available on the day from the station booking office (subject to availability)
- For any reasons for changing any Bluebell booking, you will be required to pay a £10.00 surcharge if you wish to change/amend your booking.
Food and drink:
- Bessemer Arms and platform kiosk at Sheffield Park Station
- George V Buffet at Horsted Keynes Station
- Wellhouse at Kinsgcote Station
- Grinsteade Buffet at East Grinstead Station
Facilities:
- There are toilets at each of our stations.
- There are toilets on some of our trains – please ask station staff for advice on which trains these are available.
- Baby changing facilities are available at each of our stations, but not on our trains
Parking:
- Sheffield Park Station – free parking at the station
- Horsted Keynes Station – free parking at the station
- Kingscote – NO parking is available at this station
- East Grinstead – free blue badge parking (5 spaces). Public parking in East Grinstead
Accessibility:
- We are pleased to offer a specially adapted area for wheelchair users on some services during this event. Please call our Customer Service Team on 01825 720800 for further information.
- If you or a member of your party have mobility issues and would like to travel during this event, please call our Customer Service Team on 01825 720800 who will be happy to discuss your requirements with you
- Accessible toilets are available at each station, but we regret we have no “Changing Places” toilets, or accessible toilets on our trains
Dogs:
- We are pleased to welcome dogs to this event (no ticket required) – please keep them on a lead and don’t allow them on the seats
Prams/Pushchairs/Buggies:
- Prams/pushchairs/buggies are welcome during this event.
- Foldable/collapsible prams/pushchairs/buggies can be taken into the carriages and stowed by your seat
- Non folding/collapsible prams/pushchairs/buggies can be left in the care of the station staff at the departure station
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SOUTHERN AT WAR AND OTHER BLUEBELL RAILWAY EVENTS, SIGN UP TO OUR BLUEBELL NEWSLETTER BELOW:
Artwork & photos kindly supplied by Matthew Cousins, Jon Bowers & James Cummins
