wallingford – back to the forties

Saturday October 4th, 10am - 5pm 2025 
Sunday October 5th, 10am - 4pm 2025

The 1940s weekend at Cholsey & Wallingford Railway

experience the 1940s

What’s on:

Cholsey &Wallingford Railway

Authentic Displays

Home Guard, Allied Forces, Special Operations and Home Front displays.

Cholsey &Wallingford Railway

Vintage Vehicles

Military vehicles, classic cars, motorbikes, and steam traction engines.

Katharine Hill Photography

Live Entertainment

Fabulous singers performing the sounds of the 1940s to get your feet moving.

Katharine Hill Photography

Re-enactors

Interact with our re-enactors, they’ll be able to tell you their story and may have a surprise or two for you. Chat with Agatha Christie or share a train ride with Churchill!

Gareth Clark Photography

Heritage Train Rides

Enjoy unlimited rides on our 2.5 mile rural branchline throughout the day. Trains will feature re-enactors and singers.

Cholsey &Wallingford Railway

Food and Drink

Grab a bite of food from our caterers, visit The Coffee Stop for a hot drink or our Platform Kiosk for local ales

Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, This was their finest hour.

Winston Churchill

Prime Minister

Step Back in Time at Wallingford – Back to the Forties

Get ready for a journey through time as we roll back the years to the fabulous forties! The Cholsey & Wallingford Railway will transport you to the 1940s, where history, nostalgia, and fun meet. Whether you’re a history buff, a vintage enthusiast, or just looking for a fantastic day out with the family, this is an event you don’t want to miss!

Travel in Style

Hop aboard our beautifully restored trains and experience travel just like they did in the 1940s! Feel like a character from a classic wartime film as the sights, sounds, and smells of steam power take you on a leisurely ride through the countryside.

Live Entertainment

Be swept away by the rhythm of the era with live music from the wartime swing bands! Our talented performers will bring the 1940s to life with toe-tapping tunes, big band classics, and the heartwarming sounds of wartime hits. Perfect for dancing or just enjoying the atmosphere!

Vintage Fashion and Re-enactments

Dust off your best 1940s attire and join the fun! Immerse yourself in the fashion and culture of the period with incredible vintage outfits, re-enactors in military and civilian dress, and a fantastic collection of vintage vehicles. Why not dress up and join in the fun? There will even be prizes for the best-dressed guests!

Food and Refreshments

No trip to the past is complete without enjoying some classic British refreshments. The CoffeeStop will be serving up delicious cakes, scones, and, of course, plenty of tea and coffee. Plus, you’ll find food stalls offering traditional fare to keep you fuelled for a day of adventure. Our Platform Kiosk Bar will be serving local ales and drinks if you prefer something stronger than tea or coffee.

National Registration cards and Wartime Stories

Learn what life was really like during the 1940s with interactive exhibits and displays. Handle real WWII memorabilia, hear captivating stories of the home front, and see how families coped with rationing, air raids, and wartime spirit. Every visitor receives a National Registration Identity Card – make sure you have yours on you at all times, you may be asked to provide it to members of the Home Guard or Police!

Family Fun

This event isn’t just for adults! Bring the whole family along for some nostalgic fun. There will be plenty of opportunities to get hands-on with history. It’s an educational and fun-filled day for all ages!

Get your glad rags on, put on your best suit and be transported Back to the Forties on the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway.