experience the 1940s
What’s on:
Authentic Displays
Home Guard, Allied Forces, Special Operations and Home Front displays.
Vintage Vehicles
Military vehicles, classic cars, motorbikes, and steam traction engines.
Live Entertainment
Fabulous singers performing the sounds of the 1940s to get your feet moving.
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!
Heritage Train Rides
Enjoy unlimited rides on our scenic 2.5-mile rural branch line throughout the day. Trains feature re-enactors, vintage singers, and a nostalgic wartime atmosphere.
Food and Drink
Grab a bite from our caterers, enjoy a hot drink at The Coffee Stop, sample local ales at the Platform Kiosk, or indulge in a Cream Tea in the Old Carriage Café.
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 what travel was like in the 1940s. Step back in time as you settle into a heritage carriage and watch the countryside roll by at a gentle pace. Every journey captures the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of a bygone era. Feel like a character from a classic wartime film as you enjoy the charm of traditional rail travel, complete with uniformed staff, period décor, and an authentic sense of nostalgia.
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. Get up and dance to the jive, swing, and lindy hop, or simply soak up the atmosphere as the music fills the air and the dance floor comes alive with vintage energy.
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. You can even complete your look with a visit to our on-site 1940s ladies’ hairdresser or gents’ barber to get your hair styled to period perfection.
Food and Refreshments
No trip to the past is complete without enjoying some classic British refreshments. The CoffeeStop will be serving up plenty of tea and coffee to keep you going throughout the day, or you can enjoy a traditional cream tea in our charming Old Carriage Café. 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 – it’s fun for the whole family! Bring the kids along to experience history in an interactive and engaging way. From meeting re-enactors and exploring vintage vehicles to trying out wartime games and learning how people lived on the Home Front, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s an educational and entertaining day out that brings the 1940s to life for all ages.