Footplate Experience – Exbury Gardens

Learn to drive one of our beautiful steam locomotives right here at Exbury Gardens! Ideal for the first time driver whether it's to mark a special occasion, provide the perfect gift, or fulfil that lifelong dream, we can't wait to welcome you aboard for yoru fun-filled footplate adventure.

Opened in 2001, Exbury Gardens’ 12 ¼” gauge railway offers you the opportunity to drive a coal-fired steam locomotive on our picturesque Rhododendron Line, which has recently been extended from approximately 1 ¼ miles to 1 ½ miles in length. At this scale all of our locomotives are of a practical size, with comfortable, seated cabs and ergonomically designed control layouts.

The track offers plenty of opportunities to take in the surrounding scenery, running alongside our Rock Garden (the largest of its kind in Europe) and across a viaduct to Exbury North station in the American Garden. You will also be able to drive your engine through our Summer Lane Garden, which is an area of the gardens only accessible by train.

Your footplate experience also includes garden admission and steam train tickets for two friends or family.

The footplate experience costs £495 for a whole day of 1:1 tuition with one of our experienced drivers.