Make a date with Kate for some old-fashioned luxury this summer.

It may not be Kate Middleton or Kate Winslet, but the buffet car 'Kate' on board the Spa Valley Railway will make you feel extra special as you tuck into afternoon tea.

The railway will be serving afternoon tea on selected Thursdays and weekends, starting on Saturday, August 13.

For Thursdays, board at Tunbridge Wells West at 2.30pm and take a seat in the sumptuously restored bar car. The train will depart at 3pm for a trip to Groombridge. Service will begin just before departure, with the train returning to Tunbridge Wells for 4pm.

For weekends, passengers board at Tunbridge Wells West for 2.40pm, with departure at 2.55pm, hauled by a 1960s heritage diesel locomotive, travelling to Eridge, with afternoon tea en route.

Afternoon teas cost £31.95 per person and feature three finger sandwiches with smoked salmon with cracked black pepper and lemon, free range egg mayonnaise with rocket and baked ham and wholegrain mustard fillings.

There’s also a selection of homemade cakes and scones with jam and clotted cream. You can have them alongside tea and coffee – or pop for prosecco!

You can order vegan and gluten/dairy free options for £2.50 extra.

Afternoon teas will be available on Saturday August 13, Thursday, August 25, Saturday, September 10, Saturday, October 15 and Thursday, October 27.

To book visit spavalleyrailway.co.uk or call 01892 537715.

CATCHING FISH ON THE LINE

Fish and chips are the order of the day aboard the Kent and East Sussex Railway as it rolls along the Rother Valley between Tenterden and Bodiam.

Available on Wednesday, August 17, Wednesday, August 24 and Wednesday, September 7, you can board the train at Tenterden Station at 6pm, and enjoy a meal cooked to coincide with the train’s arrival at Northiam Station.

The cost is £25.95 and £19.50 for ages three to 15.

The choice is cod and chips, plaice and chips, haddock and chips, jumbo sausage and chips, chicken and chips and vegetarian spring roll and chips.

To book call kesr.org.uk or call 01580 765155.