This would be our third year attending the Steam Railway and it was very poorly organised.
We had received a message from Debbie the evening before to state that our train time had changed and our new schedule would be:
10:00 AV Presentation
10:30 Time to explore and Train Story exhibition and Shop visit
11:30 Lunch
12:05 Steam Train Ride
13:05 Finish
Head to next activity.
Upon arrival, I notified that we were a little early (10 minutes or so) but the staff were welcoming on the ticket box and we got the children in.
After I asked her if the timings were the same as we had an update yesterday evening, she dismissed the idea of having a presentation because there were not enough chairs in the room. She informed me that she would look after us and spilt us in two groups, one would do the shop while the others would have the tour around.
I believe there was some miscommunication on her part as she became frustrated that we were behind schedule and we were taking too long in the shop. We were sending in 10 at a time, as per her request, and the rest of the children waiting for the shop were playing in the designated areas. We had an hour and a half before our train ride and were given very little freedom around the area.
While in the bathroom, I overheard a volunteer say, "I hate it when the school children come here, they do nothing but spoil it."
This comment was of course very upsetting as our children were being very polite and spend a considerable amount of money at the different shops, stall and cafes.
[ED Response: Edited to remove personal information]
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
Isle Of Wight Steam Railway
No written comments provided.
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Isle Of Wight Steam Railway
All the children loved the train!
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Isle Of Wight Steam Railway
(older review)
This is the 3rd time we have visited the isle of wight railway and we always think it is a good day, as well as the trains they do a nice talk/ video and they have the train story museum which most other railways don't have, timing wise it all worked out well and the children had time for lunch and a run around on their back field, before traveling back.
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Isle Of Wight Steam Railway
(older review)
No written comments provided.
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
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