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Easter Bunny Trains Return
19 April 2022
After a 3 year hibernation - The Easter Bunny was back!
Due to the pandemic the popular Easter Bunny Trains and Easter Egg Hunt hasn't operated at Groudle since 2019... but this year the event was back, bigger and better than before. Record numbers of visitors attended the railway over the two days in what was gloriously sunny weather.
For the first time the event was pre-booking only in time slots and this had the effect of eliminating large queues which significantly improved the experience for everyone. There were also many positive comments about the new Easter eggs the bunny brought and the initial refurbishment works to Sea Lion Rocks tea rooms. Sea Lion, Brown Bear and Otter were all in service over the two days, operating a single 'top and tailed' train on an intensive shuttle service every 10-15 mins throughout the day.
If you visited us for Easter we hope you a wonderful time. The railway and the tea rooms open for the Summer Season on Sunday 1st May from 11am.
For the second year running families turned out in their hundreds to enjoy the family friendly spooky atmosphere at Groudle over the weekend. Sea Lion & Otter were in service hauling busy trains from Broomstick Halt where passengers had been met by Mr Pumpkin, a spooky trip through the glen passing some of our cheerful ghoulish friends then arriving at Witches Hollow. As well as the warm and spooktacular atmosphere, families visited Jinny the Witch in her lair to receive a frightfully fun gift, enjoyed sweets from her friends and refreshments including hot chocolate with cream and marsh mellows and spooky doughnuts! Our thanks to not only everyone who visited us, but also the volunteers who helped make the event so special and for the support of Bus Vannin for the provision of the shuttle bus to the railway. Next stop....CHRISTMAS!
The weather eventually played ball for our September Steam Gala as the day started damp and overcast, but by midday the sun was thankfully shining and the railway was very busy with all three steam locomotives in service with two trains passing at the headland loop. Visitors relished the opportunity to see all three locomotives; Sea Lion, Brown Bear and Otter in service together all day operating an intensive service. Sunday services now continuing into October. Our next special event is the Hop Tu Naa Trains at the end of October which is booking only. Tickets available online.
We are lost for words for just how well received our Cliff Top Concerts event was this year. Considering 2024 has not been the best of summers on the Isle of Man weather wise, the sun certainly shone on Groudle for this year's event. It was a day of wall to wall sunshine and people flocked to the cliff tops at Sea Lion Rocks to enjoy the free concerts from some of the island's most talented musicians. This year they were treated to performances from Callum Rowe, Mine's a Shanty, Biskee Brisht, The Reveilettes and our traditional finale group; The Shenannigans Band. A three coach shuttle service was operated with Sea Lion and Brown Bear topping and tailing the service all day.
