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Turn back time with the Kent and East Sussex Railway’s 1940s Weekend in Tenterden

Throw on your tea dress and get ready to lindy hop as you return to the 1940s for retro festival.

The Kent and East Sussex Railway in Tenterden is throwing its annual 1940s Weekend where visitors can pick up an identity card and expect lots of throwback sights and sounds, including living history displays, swing music and vintage stalls.

Enjoy re-enactments, vintage fashion, swing dancers and live music at the 1940s Weekend. Picture: K&ESR
Enjoy re-enactments, vintage fashion, swing dancers and live music at the 1940s Weekend. Picture: K&ESR

While the festival activities will take place at the station, the trains will also be up and running throughout the weekend.

Visitors can hop aboard an authentic steam locomotive and travel back in time as they journey to and from Tenterden and Bodiam stations.

The railway will be turning back the clock to wartime Britain with retro fashion stalls and a 1940s hair salon so you can really look the part.

There will also be vintage police cars and military vehicles, a living history display from Above and Beyond and live re-enactments from Barbed Wire and Bunting.

Train stations at Tenterden and Bodiam will host lots of 1940s-themed activities. Picture: Facebook / KESR
Train stations at Tenterden and Bodiam will host lots of 1940s-themed activities. Picture: Facebook / KESR

Visitors can also enjoy a packed programme of live entertainment, from swing dancers to jazz musicians.

There will be lindy hoppers and a hangar dance at the Old Dairy Tap Room, with tunes from DJs Rocket Rod and Lookout Lance.

There will also be live music from swing quintet the Ruby Sisterz, jazz singer Ross Hardman, vintage trio My Favourite Things and wartime duo Swingtime Sweethearts.

Tickets for train travel over the weekend can be booked online here.

The 1940s Weekend will take place on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 with activities at Tenterden and Bodiam stations.

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