The Shakespeare Express is marking its 40th anniversary, following its launch in 1985 as part of the GWR 150 celebration.
On 8 and 9 June 1985, eight trains ran from Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon, as part of the then Birmingham Railway Museum’s contribution to the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Great Western Railway. Over the coming years, The Shakespeare Express ran on several weekends as ‘one off’ charters, with the final trains to run ahead of privatisation taking place in April 1990.
1999 saw the first year of regular Sunday trips and these have continued, featuring steam trains between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon every Sunday in August. The Shakespeare Express has now expanded to run on Sundays from April to November as part of the Express’ Summer Season.
In 2024, new routes were added, with departures from Derby, Leicester and Worcester added to the calendar to expand The Shakespeare Express to more passengers than ever before.
Just like the inaugural trains in 1985, today’s trains still feature onboard dining, now in Vintage Train’s authentic 1960s Pullman Cars. On the bookend departures each day, there is the Full English Breakfast and Afternoon Tea service and for the middle departure of the day from Stratford-upon-Avon, the two-course Sunday Lunch service is available.
For 2025, The Shakespeare Express will be operating on the following dates:
- Departing Birmingham Snow Hill, calling at Birmingham Moor Street & Tyseley, 15 June, 24 & 31 August.
- Departing Derby, calling at Burton-on-Trent, Tamworth & Coleshill Parkway, 27 April, 8 June, 3 August & 26 October.
- Departing Leicester, calling at Nuneaton & Coleshill Parkway, 10 August.
- Departing Worcester Shrub Hill, calling at Droitwich Spa, Stourbridge Junction, 27 July, 17 August & 9 November.
- Departing Stratford-upon-Avon (to Birmingham Snow Hill & Return), 27 April, 8 & 15 June, 27 July, 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 August, 26 October, 9 November.
Tickets & Pricing
- Pullman (Dining)
- Adult – from £105 per person
- Child – from £90 per person
- Table for 2 – from £230 per table
- Afternoon Tea
- Adult – £69 per person
- Child – £49 per person
- Tourist (Non-Dining)
- Adult – from £45 per person
- Child – from £25 per person
- Family (2 x Adults & 2 x Children) – from £120
More information and tickets for The Shakespeare Express can be found at vintagetrains.co.uk/the-shakespeare-express.
