Exciting plans have been announced for the first ever Festival of Sheppey, a brand-new month-long celebration set to shine a spotlight on everything that makes the Island special.

Taking place throughout June 2026, the festival will bring together communities, organisations and venues across the Isle of Sheppey for a packed programme of talks, performances, film screenings, exhibitions and community events celebrating the Island’s rich history and culture.

We’ll be attending the opening events on Monday 1st June. What better way to begin than with a train trip along the line from Sittingbourne to Sheerness-on-Sea, a perfect start to Community Rail Week.

See Visit Swale or Sheppey Explorer for further detail and follow the Festival of Sheppey on Facebook.

With stations at Queenborough and Sheerness, and bus connections across the island, Sheppey is a great place to visit on a Days Out By Rail adventure. Read more about children’s activities on the island in this guide from the students of Sheppey College,