Ripley's Big Day Out Wednesday 1st September 2021
We are absolutely thrilled to invite you to our Big Day Out at Midland Railway this September.
We organise this FREE event, for YOU, our community.
We have lots of fun in store. Local children will still be off school, so come along to enjoy the recently
reopened Midland Railway-Butterley.
Here's what to expect...
FREE Fairground Rides
FREE Beach
FREE Face Painting
FREE Train Rides
FREE Circus Activities
Amber Sound FM live broadcast
Railway museums open
Service at St. Saviours Church at 3pm
History of Ripley Display
Woodies Wings
Ride on Toys
Music
Archery
Food & Drink
Information stalls from local groups
Appearances from Peter Rabbit, Mickey Mouse, Buzz Lightyear, Skye and Olaf!
On arrival at Butterley Station
Please follow the queuing system at the entrance to Butterley Station. It's inevitable that our guests will have to queue, it's a free event after all and we can't predict how many people are going to attend.
We will let people through onto the platform in groups of no more than 60 people. This is for health and safety reasons as this is the capacity that the platform can safely hold. Keep your eyes peeled for the Mayor of Ripley as your pass through onto the platform!
The first train will leave the station at 10am and every 20 minutes thereafter. When the train has left the platform, the next group of 60 visitors will be led to the platform. This will be repeated throughout the day.
You will be able to purchase refreshments from the main entrance from Ripley based, Emma and Jen's Superwhippy Ice Cream.
We recommend that you wear a face covering on the train for the short journey. If you forget your mask, don't worry we will have some available for a small donation.
Once aboard the train, please take your seat, sit back and relax on the short journey to Swanwick Junction, where all the attractions are.
What to expect at Swanwick Junction
As you get off the train at Swanwick Junction, it is likely that you will be greeted by either Peter Rabbit, Mickey Mouse, Buzz Lightyear, Skye from Paw Patrol or Olaf from Frozen! High five them, say hi and have your photo taken with them!
Swanwick Junction platform
Information stalls from...
Ripley Branch of the Royal British Legion
Pentrich Revolution
Derbyshire Archery Club - have a go at archery!
Woodies Wings - local bird rescue centre
SISU - Living with a life-long condition support group
Rotary Amber Valley and Rotary Ripley
Amber Valley and Ripley Rotary Clubs
Ripley District Girlguiding
Food and drinks available to buy from...
The Donut Hut selling hot, fresh donuts and crepes
On site cafe, Deeleys Tearoom will be open selling drinks and pre packaged snacks.
Chucky Foods - Burgers, hot dogs, chips
Emmas Super Whippy Ice Creams (at Butterley Station entrance)
Please feel free to bring a picnic with you - there is plenty of space for you to sit and recharge your batteries.
History of the Ripley Township display
There will be a display of historical information and artefacts about Ripley and the surrounding villages.
Representatives from the Ripley and District Heritage Trust, Butterley Ironworks Trust and The Pentrich Revolution will be in St. Saviours Church at Swanwick Junction, 10am until 2.15pm. Please pop by to have a look and learn something about where you live.
We recommend that you wear a face covering inside the Church and use the hand sanitiser provided.
Getting there
Address: Midland Railway-Butterley, Ripley, DE5 3QZ
We advise that you arrive on foot if you can as car parking is very limited at the venue.
Information about arriving by car, bus or train can be found here
FREE SHUTTLE MINI BUS...
Take the stress out of trying to find somewhere to park at Midland Railway.
To try to alleviate the amount of vehicles arriving at the venue, we are providing a FREE return shuttle mini bus from Ripley Market Place to Midland Railway. The minibus is wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Children aged 16 or under MUST be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over and such child or children whilst on the mini bus must remain under the control or supervision of an adult at all times.
Bus Timetable
|
Departing Ripley Market Place |
9.30am, 9.45am, 10am, 10.15am, 10.30am, 10.45am, 11.00am, 11.15am, 11.30am, 11.45am, 12pm, 12.15pm, 12.30pm, 12.45pm, 1.00pm, 1.15pm, 1.30pm, 1.45pm (last train at Butterley is 2pm). |
|
Departing Midland Railway |
10.10am, 10.25am, 10.40am, 10.55am, 11.10am, 11.25am, 11.40am, 11.55am, 12.10pm, 12.25pm, 12.40pm, 12.55pm, 1.10pm, 1.25pm, 1.40pm, 2pm, 2.15pm, 2.30pm, 2.45pm, 3.00pm, 3.15pm, 3.30pm, 3.45pm, 4.00pm, 4.15pm and 4.30pm. |
Car Parking
Car parking at Midland Railway is extremely limited. Car Park attendents will advise you where to park upon your arrival.
When the car park is full, the overflow car park on the opposite side of the entrance will be used. If this becomes full, we will advise you to park in Ripley Town Centre and use the free bus shuttle service.
If you wish to park in Ripley Town Centre and use the free shuttle bus, a list of long stay car parks can be found here.
Train Times
We ask that you wear a face covering whilst on the train please. If you forget to bring one with you, they will be available, for a small donation to Midland Railway.
The first train will leave Butterley Station at 10am and every 20 minutes thereafter.
Children
No child or children under the age of 16 will be admitted to the shuttle bus or attraction unless they are accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over and such child or children whilst on site must remain under the control or supervision of an adult at all times.
Make your way onto The Green where there will be free children's rides, entertainment, information stalls, food and drink and market stalls. As you exit the station, to your left you will find a little beach for children to play on.
The Green at Swanwick Junction
Church Service at 3pm
There will be a service in the 'Tin Church' at Swanwick Junction at 3pm, lasting 30 minutes. It will be conducted by Reverend John Wigram, from All Saint's Church in Ripley. Please come along to the service if you wish.
We have the following businesses coming along:
Brown Bear Coffee Shop from Ripley selling naughty treats and bakes
Jen's Xplorers Ltd. - Ripley based childcare providers
Just Cheese - Ripley based business selling a variety of speciality English Cheese, hampers and cakes
Emmas Cakes and Sugarcraft - Heage based business selling cakes and bakes
Honey Bee Bistro - new Bistro opening in Ripley at the end of the year - selling cookie pies, brownies, cookies and other homebaked goods!
Rustic Rural - Waingroves based bespoke furniture and wooden products for the home.
The Crafty Ones Est. 2021 - Childrens crafts, made with family time in mind.
The Last Thread - Home sewn reusable gifts, accessories and packaging - Ripley based.
Mady by Sophie Paige - Creative designs and jewellery
PLUS Amber Sound FM will be there doing a LIVE outside broadcast and playing music throughout the day.
There is plenty to explore at the Swanwick Junction Museum Complex:
West Shed Experience (Railway Museum)
Demonstration Signal Box
Victorian Railwayman’s Church (there's a service in there at 3pm conducted by Rev John Wigram from All Saints Church, Ripley
Country Park
The Golden Valley Light Railway (GVLR)
Butterley Park Miniature Railway
Beach
Children's Playground
