Choo-Choose Herne Bay For Land Train Fun This Summer

Herne Bay residents and visitors can enjoy a unique and fun new way to get around the town this summer when a land train takes to the streets for a week from this Sunday 26 July.

The trial project has been set up by Canterbury City Council, using UK government funding via the United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund.

The train will be in Herne Bay from Sunday 26 July to Friday 31 July, running from 10am to 4pm each day. It will follow a circular route around the town about every 30 minutes.

The hop-on hop-off route goes along the stunning seafront and showcases the independent local businesses on the high street where people can have a coffee, grab lunch, buy gifts or visit the Seaside Museum. We hear some businesses have even planned to make their windows land train themed for the week!

Cabinet member for tourism and economic development, Cllr Chris Cornell, said: “A land train for Herne Bay has been suggested for many years so we are really pleased to be making it happen this summer.

“It’s a weeklong trial project with the aim of moving people along the seafront, into the town centre and round to the park in a fun and different way.

“We want to assess how much interest there is in a land train, how successful it is in supporting local businesses and whether we have the balance right in terms of the number of stops and their locations.

“Obviously we need a bit of luck with the weather as sunshine will be our friend, but we’ve chosen a week early on in the school holidays that also coincides with the Herne Bay Festival, and we’ve priced it in a way that won’t break the bank for families at a time when we know money is tight.

“There will be much for us to learn over the week but fundamentally we hope the land train proves to be a popular new attraction for local families and adds to the fun in Herne Bay during the summer.”

For this trial, an accessible carriage for wheelchair users was not available for hire, but this will be important for any future land train plans in the town.

It also coincides with the Herne Bay Festival so there’s plenty to do – read Visit Canterbury’s blog for what’s on around the town.

With huge thanks to Stagecoach Group Limited (Stagecoach South East) for letting us park the land train up overnight, and the Canterbury Business Improvement District for supporting businesses in Herne Bay.

Find out more information about Herne Bay’s land train.

Images courtesy of Land Train Hire Nationwide.