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Location notes
Situated on the Cambridge / Ely - Ipswich line, close to the Cambridgeshire - Suffolk country boundary. Newmarket is a few miles to the west and Bury St. Edmunds a few miles to the east.
Railway type and traffic
Passenger: Anglia DMUs - 170s working Ipswich - Peterborough (about every 2 hours) and Ipswich - Cambridge.
Freight: mostly container trains to and from Felixstowe (GBRf, Freightliner and DB Schenker), plus stone trains a few times a week to Kennett stone terminal (1.5 miles east of the station), Barham (north of Ipswich) and Bury St. Edmunds. When the south end of the West Coast Main Line or the Great Eastern Main Line south of Ipswich is closed, Freightliner trains from the Midlands, the North West and Scotland are diverted this way.
Freight: mostly container trains to and from Felixstowe (GBRf, Freightliner and DB Schenker), plus stone trains a few times a week to Kennett stone terminal (1.5 miles east of the station), Barham (north of Ipswich) and Bury St. Edmunds. When the south end of the West Coast Main Line or the Great Eastern Main Line south of Ipswich is closed, Freightliner trains from the Midlands, the North West and Scotland are diverted this way.
Environment
Kennett station is about half a mile south of Kennett village on the B1085. There are a few houses nearby. The B1085 is fairly quiet, but has some traffic.
Road directions
Note: although the A14 runs parallel to the railway at this point, there is no direct access from it to the road past Kennett station. From the east, the easiest access is from the A14 (westbound).
From the east:
Leave at the B1506, signed for Kentford and Kennett; turn right at the second crossroads (after almost 2 miles, in Kennet End) onto the B1085 which leads to the station.
From the north, south or west, it is best to approach from the A11 at Red Lodge:
The A14 from Cambridge and A11 from Stump's Cross (M11 junction) form the Newmarket Bypass, and the A142 from Ely joins this - continue east and take the A11 towards Thetford and Norwich. Leave the A11 at Red Lodge, and follow the B1085 to Kennett; the station is about half a mile after the village. From the centre of Newmarket, head north west on the A1304, forking right onto the B1506 on the edge of town. After about 3 miles turn left at the crossroads in Kennet End just after the speed limit begins (onto the B1085 to Kennett).
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Kennett map co-ordinates
From the east:
Leave at the B1506, signed for Kentford and Kennett; turn right at the second crossroads (after almost 2 miles, in Kennet End) onto the B1085 which leads to the station.
From the north, south or west, it is best to approach from the A11 at Red Lodge:
The A14 from Cambridge and A11 from Stump's Cross (M11 junction) form the Newmarket Bypass, and the A142 from Ely joins this - continue east and take the A11 towards Thetford and Norwich. Leave the A11 at Red Lodge, and follow the B1085 to Kennett; the station is about half a mile after the village. From the centre of Newmarket, head north west on the A1304, forking right onto the B1506 on the edge of town. After about 3 miles turn left at the crossroads in Kennet End just after the speed limit begins (onto the B1085 to Kennett).
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Kennett map co-ordinates
Parking
Either park in the station car park or on the wide grass verge by the bridge on the south side of the line.
Public transport
The Cambridge - Ipswich Anglia trains call at Kennett, although most of the Peterborough - Ipswich ones do not.
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Amenities
There is a pub in Kennet End, 0.5 mile south on B1085. Other nearest facilities in Newmarket.
Accommodation
The nearest accommodation will probably be in Newmarket.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Kennett
Streetmap links
Kennett general view map
Kennett close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Kennett
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Kennett
Googly map
Kennett general view map
Kennett close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Kennett
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Note from the editor:
Since this location was written up the signal box has been moved to the Clone Valley Railway. Although the physical layout of the track has not changed the signal box no longer features in the shot. It is unclear from the update if the semaphores are still in situ and updated images would be appreciated.
There are two spots for taking photos - the station platforms and the road over bridge to the east of the station. The pavement on one side of the road bridge is quite narrow, but the road is not busy and, due to the narrow bridge, traffic is controlled by traffic lights. For videographers, there are good views both ways, especially to the east (where the line is very straight). Traffic noise from the nearby A14 may be a distant hum; traffic on the B1085 is light.
From the bridge it is possible to get shots of trains in both directions, although looking east is quite head on if the sun is out due to the trees on the south side of the line.
The shot from the end of the up (westbound) platform is good looking west.If the sun is not out, shots can be taken from the down (eastbound) platform looking east; this shot is also possible with the sun out late on summer evenings, but shadows will be a problem as the line is in a cutting and there are plenty of tall trees.
The line runs approximately east-west here, so shots are possible for most of the day from around 09:00. The sun comes off the nose of eastbound trains and onto the nose of westbound trains at about 13:00. Tall trees on the south side of the line will probably prevent photography from the bridge in winter. Further comments are included with the photos below.
It is possible to get closer to the rather fine signal at the west end of the station by walking down the field (which appears to be just waste ground) on the south side of the line, although this is not a public right of way. A standard lens is needed and steps are useful to remove line side vegetation and the wire fence from the shot.
Another location close by which is really good for westbound trains (especially long freights) is the A14 bridge, about half a mile east of the station. The trackside is clear of vegetation, and a semaphore signal also features in the middle distance. This location is reached by parking in the lay-by on the A14 eastbound carriageway (after crossing the railway) and walking back. The A14 is VERY busy, but once at the bridge you stand on the bank well away from the road. The sun would be alright for much of the day up to about 16:00 with the sun on the nose from about midday. Traffic noise would be a major problem for videos.
Since this location was written up the signal box has been moved to the Clone Valley Railway. Although the physical layout of the track has not changed the signal box no longer features in the shot. It is unclear from the update if the semaphores are still in situ and updated images would be appreciated.
There are two spots for taking photos - the station platforms and the road over bridge to the east of the station. The pavement on one side of the road bridge is quite narrow, but the road is not busy and, due to the narrow bridge, traffic is controlled by traffic lights. For videographers, there are good views both ways, especially to the east (where the line is very straight). Traffic noise from the nearby A14 may be a distant hum; traffic on the B1085 is light.
From the bridge it is possible to get shots of trains in both directions, although looking east is quite head on if the sun is out due to the trees on the south side of the line.
The shot from the end of the up (westbound) platform is good looking west.If the sun is not out, shots can be taken from the down (eastbound) platform looking east; this shot is also possible with the sun out late on summer evenings, but shadows will be a problem as the line is in a cutting and there are plenty of tall trees.
The line runs approximately east-west here, so shots are possible for most of the day from around 09:00. The sun comes off the nose of eastbound trains and onto the nose of westbound trains at about 13:00. Tall trees on the south side of the line will probably prevent photography from the bridge in winter. Further comments are included with the photos below.
It is possible to get closer to the rather fine signal at the west end of the station by walking down the field (which appears to be just waste ground) on the south side of the line, although this is not a public right of way. A standard lens is needed and steps are useful to remove line side vegetation and the wire fence from the shot.
Another location close by which is really good for westbound trains (especially long freights) is the A14 bridge, about half a mile east of the station. The trackside is clear of vegetation, and a semaphore signal also features in the middle distance. This location is reached by parking in the lay-by on the A14 eastbound carriageway (after crossing the railway) and walking back. The A14 is VERY busy, but once at the bridge you stand on the bank well away from the road. The sun would be alright for much of the day up to about 16:00 with the sun on the nose from about midday. Traffic noise would be a major problem for videos.
General views - All photographs © Brian Carter unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking east - Image © Mark Tassell
The new look for Kennett station with the signal box and semaphores removed.
Fig 2- Looking east - Image © Mark Tassell
Fig 3 - Looking west
All the semaphore signals have been removed and a colour light signal will feature on the left hand side of the image.
From the up platform . This was taken at about 10am in early August, using a 200mm lens to pull in the signals. Earlier than this the sun is not really far enough round to be on the side of the train.
Fig 4 - Looking west
From the road bridge . This shot has now altered as the signal box has been moved to the Clone Valley Railway in December 2011. This shot, featuring the signalbox, was taken in late July at about 10am using a 135mm lens.
Fig 5 - Looking east
From the road bridge. This was taken in late July at about 10.30am, using a 135mm lens. The sun is not yet on the nose, but would be right from about 1pm, but watch the shadows from the trees on the right.
The semaphore has been removed.
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
