It's been a long journey......

The Bistro at Etchingham Station is a Community Interest project driven by local people for the village, local community and the commuters who use busy Etchingham station.

During 2007 Etchingham conducted and published an Action Plan for the village, 84% of the respondents wanted a village pub. While the semi derelict station building was identified as the perfect location for such an enterprise the reality of turning a run-down building into the hub of the village seemed like a distant dream.

However, a small group of enthusiastic villagers formed the de Etchingham Community Interest Company and started down the track to raise nearly £150,000 to renovate the building and open a Bistro.

The building was originally the station master's house and was at one time surrounded by a pretty garden. Originally constructed in sandstone in 1852 by the South Eastern Railway the building is now Grade II listed and until the project began was mainly boarded up and damp. Part of the building is still used for the ticket office as Etchingham is on the main Hastings to London railway line.

After more than two years of negotiation, fund raising, business planning and determined hardwork the dream was realised when the Bistro opened in April 2010. The renovation won a National Railway Heritage Award at its first attempt – a magnificent achievement.

Call in for a cool drink in summer or a warm beverage in winter and join the community at the Bistro@thestation in Etchingham.