The Severn Valley Railway has announced a special partnership event with Bewdley Festival’s Step into Stories, taking place on Saturday 25 April, offering families a unique day out that combines imaginative storytelling with a journey on a heritage steam railway.

The day begins at SVR’s Kidderminster Town station at 9.30am, where young visitors will meet acclaimed children’s author Emily Randall Jones. Known for her spine-tingling tales for readers aged 9–12, Emily will take children on a whistlestop introduction to old English folklore, weaving together ghostly tales, steam-filled carriages and eerie folk tunes alongside a mysterious conductor known as Cribbins. Visitors can meet Emily in person, hear about her work and have books signed, including her latest title, The Scream of the Whistle, a time-slip paranormal adventure set aboard a haunted steam train.

Following the storytelling experience, families will board a real heritage train departing at 10.55am for a memorable journey along the Severn Valley line from Kidderminster to Bewdley. Upon arrival, visitors can enjoy the rest of the day at further Step into Stories events at Bewdley Festival, set within the attractive Georgian riverside town.

Return travel to Kidderminster is included, making this a full day out that blends creativity, history and the magic of steam travel in one atmospheric experience.

Tickets for the event should be booked via the Bewdley Festival website.