Friday 13th*, Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th June

*On Friday 13th June there will be a private photography charter. Other trains are open to the public and will operate a standard non-event service with our regular fares applying. There will be a limited number of displays and there will be no entertainment on this day.

About the Event

After the success of our first 1940s weekend in 2024, the event returns bigger and better in 2025 as "Wirksworth Back to the 40s" by Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.

Next year the town is getting involved with window displays, decorations, and many local businesses taking part in the ration book raffle, too!

Also new for 2025 is the military encampment at Idridgehay station. There'll be a variety of captivating military displays and vehicles here, all against the backdrop of the railway line with the steam engine passing by.

At Wirksworth, the trader village returns with even more stalls offering various items including vintage clothes and military memorabilia as well as a host of other items. The Wirksworth station concourse will feature live music and entertainment from vintage entertainers who will be dazzling the crowds blasting out the favourite hits from the 40s.

Wirksworth station yard will see a gathering of homefront displays and classic vehicles for you to wander around and learn about life in Britain during the Second World War.

Each day will feature a programme of different acts and exhibits which will be added to this page in due course.

Living History Groups

Here are some of the fantastic living history groups and reenactors that will be displaying at the event:

BBC at War

War time district nurse

WORLD WARS FORCES NETWORK

Feldjagerkorps 44

Bar c

South Staffs Living Histor

4th Kompanie GD

NFS and AFS Vehicles Group

Bird-Dog

Bunch of Mates

Op.Jed'44LHG (Representing AFRA)

Reconnaissance Troop Living History Group

21st panzer division living history group

RC Armour

The Erks

Nattyjack and co

Fire by Order

47 Royal Marines Commando.

GSI general service infantry

WAAF'S ON TOUR

Padre’s Hour

US Signals Corp

Traders

Vehicles

Virtue To Victory

Sweet Memories Vintage

Harris hair back comb n curls

C&P Supplies

Rosie Jo Retro

Viva vintage

Now & Then and Textile Treasures

Dads Army

Debbie Campbell Cakes

His & Hers Vintage

The Vintage Barn

Emma's Millitria

Lady peacock vintage

CER BUNKER

Lilegance Handmade

Pynegan's Aviation Archives

Goodeys

Sniper Alley

Harry & Doris Vintage Emporium

Flying Duck designs

This section is currently being updated.

Practical Info

Parking

As the car park at Wirksworth station is used to display many of the exhibits, public parking for the event is located off-site at the following location: TDP Limited, Derby Road, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, DE4 4BG. 

A free heritage shuttle bus will operate a park and ride from here to the event (approx journey time 5 mins).

Visitors camping at Lees Meadow campsite will be able to leave their cars there and catch the heritage bus from the campsite entrance.

Due to the nature of this event and to ensure the safety of the public there is no disabled parking at Wirksworth station. Customers are able to drop-off at Wirksworth station or park at Duffield station which has step-free access to the platform.

 

 

Tickets

To see fares and tickets, click here.

Get 25% off your tickets when you come in period 1940s attire (civilian or military).

Enter the discount code 'reenactor' for the discount to apply if booking online.

Accommodation

There are a number of local guesthouses which can be found with a quick internet search.

Lees Meadow campsite is working with us to give a small discount to anyone who wishes to camp there and the shuttle bus will do a morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off here.

Reenactors, Traders, and Vehicle Owners

Application forms for passes for living history groups, traders, and pre-1950s classic vehicles can be found below.

Reenactors and living history groups

Traders

Vehicles (military, civilian, and commercial)

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