Railways

Over 150 heritage railways in the UK for a great family Railday out!

  • All
  • Funicular / Cliff Railway
  • Standard Gauge Railway
  • Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
  • Heritage Centre (all one site)
  • Miniature Railway (<15")
  • Heritage Tramway
  • Museum
  • Other
Derwent Valley Light Railway

Derwent Valley Light Railway

Murton, York,

Half a mile of the Derwent Valley Light Railway has been preserved within the Yorkshire Museum of Farming at Murton (York). Without doubt the DVLR has had a remarkable history remaining independent to its closure in 1981 (i.e. not becoming part of British Railways). Had it, it would surely had been closed long since.

Location
Derwent Valley Light Railway, C/O Murton Park, Murton Lane, Murton, York, YO19 5UF, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01904 489 966
Devon Railway Centre

Devon Railway Centre

Tiverton, Devon,

Our railways give unlimited train rides around the centre and opportunities for you to become involved! Children can clip the tickets and wave the flag to start our trains. Explore our superb under-cover model railway exhibition with push buttons which control the trains. Delight in our Edwardian Model Village and Model Funfair, Wheal Beckie Tin Mine and outdoor children’s play area. Why not drive your own train or car, visit the Black Hole Orbiter ride or simply enjoy a round of crazy golf? Enjoy a picnic at our riverside picnic area or have a bite to eat in the surroundings of our restored Victorian Station. Our Indoor Play Coaches will provide hours of fun whatever the weather. Children can enjoy spending time in the ball pool and large indoor sand pit or playing with the wooden railways. The Play Shed houses our fantastic railway themed soft play area. Great fun for our younger visitors. All the family will enjoy a visit to our museum housed in a former BR carriage. Find out about the history of the site and play our interactive train games!

Location
The Station, Bickleigh, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8RG, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Heritage Centre (all one site)
Phone
01884 855 671
Didcot Railway Centre

Didcot Railway Centre

Didcot, Oxfordshire,

Explore the unique collection of Great Western Railway steam locomotives, carriages, wagons, buildings and small artefacts at our 21 acre living museum set around the original 1932 Engine Shed.

Location
Station Road, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NJ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Heritage Centre (all one site)
Phone
01235 817 200
Doncaster Rail Heritage Centre

Doncaster Rail Heritage Centre

Doncaster, South Yorkshire,

The Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection was started in the 1930’s by the school’s Railway Society and the Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection Trustee’s have been collecting railway memorabilia ever since. Public access to the massive collection of around 10,000 artefacts was previously very limited. The display of the collection in the Danum’s Rail Heritage Centre marks an exciting new chapter in the Society and in the significant role of the railways in Doncaster’s history. Alongside the objects on display are two Doncaster-built locomotives which have returned home to take centre stage in the Danum. They are on loan as part of a partnership between Heritage Doncaster and the National Railway Museum.

Location
Danum Gallery, Library and Museum, Waterdale, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN1 3BZ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
01302 737 555
Doon Valley Railway

Doon Valley Railway

Ayr, Ayrshire,

Our aim is to create a living museum where historically significant industrial steam and diesel locomotives can be seen working in Scotland's last authentic industrial railway setting.

Location
Doon Valley Railway, Dunaskin Ironworks, Dunaskin, Patna, Ayr, Ayrshire, KA6 7JH, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01292 532 102
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway

Douglas Bay Horse Tramway

Douglas, Isle of Man,

The horse trams are an iconic part of the of the Isle of Man. Started in 1876 by Thomas Lightfoot to take advantage of the booming tourist trade, the 3ft gauge tramway is currently operated by Isle of Man Transport as part of their Heritage Railway offering. Many of the original fleet of cars are still in use today, and it is still a popular tourist attraction and tramway of important historic value. It is the oldest surviving Horse Tramway in Britain, and the only one to have operated continuously since its opening (with the exception of World War II and recent Promenade refurbishment works). In South Australia, a similar system also exists. There are also other smaller horse drawn systems operating around the world

Location
Derby Castle, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 4NR, IM
Distance
Railway Type
Heritage Tramway
Phone
01624 662 525
Downpatrick & County Down Railway

Downpatrick & County Down Railway

County Down, Northern Ireland,

The railway project is, to date, the only Irish Standard Gauge railway restoration project ever undertaken in Ireland (Irish standard gauge is five foot three inches as opposed to narrow gauge which is three foot and English standard gauge which is four feet eight and a half inches). The only other example of a Irish standard gauge railway in Northern Ireland is Northern Ireland Railways.

Location
Market Street, Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, BT30 6LZ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
none
Dragon Miniature Railway

Dragon Miniature Railway

Stockport,

We operate a friendly railway, with a style reminiscent of BR steam days, when the area was part of the maroon London Midland Region. Kids and adults alike enjoy riding on our miniature trains and regularly come back time and time again. During our existence we have established ourselves as a high-quality attraction within not only our local community, but also further afield.

Location
Marple Garden Centre, Dooley Lane, Marple, Stockport, SK6 7HE, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
East Anglia Transport Museum

East Anglia Transport Museum

Lowestoft,

At Carlton Colville we have one of the widest ranges of preserved vehicles of any museum, and further exhibits are still accepted from time to time. The only place in the British Isles where visitors can not only view, but also ride on all three principal forms of public transport from the earlier part of the 20th Century.

Location
Chapel Road, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, NR33 8BL, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
01502 518 459
East Anglian Railway Museum

East Anglian Railway Museum

Essex,

Immerse yourself in a real steam railway museum and get up close and personal to our wide collection of steam trains, diesel locomotives and vintage carriages.

Location
Chappel Station, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2DS, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
01206 242 524
East Herts Miniature Railway

East Herts Miniature Railway

Great Amwell, Hertfordshire,

Our operation is run entirely by volunteer-based enthusiasts who give up their free time to run and maintain the railway. After defraying the cost of running the railway, we make regular donations to nominated charities and local organisations. Both our independent railway and the Van Hage Garden Centre is a popular visitor destination for children and parents alike, where there are a variety of activities available.

Location
Pepper Hill, Ware, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, SG12 9RP, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
East Hill Cliff Railway

East Hill Cliff Railway

Hastings, East Sussex,

The East Hill Lift provides access to Hastings Country Park which overlooks the Old Town and Rock-a-Nore. It was in the country park that Hastings resident John Logie Baird, the inventor of television, got the inspiration which led to his first TV experiments. The lift provides views over the Stade, home to the largest beach launched fishing fleet in Europe.

Location
East Hill, Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3EG, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Funicular / Cliff Railway
East Kent Railway

East Kent Railway

Dover, Kent,

Rolling countryside, steep chalk-lined cuttings and the fascinating Golgotha Tunnel make this a visit to be remembered. The East Kent Railway is also home to two Signal Boxes, one from Barham on the old Elham Valley Line and another from Selling, near Faversham. Both signal boxes house interesting displays on the history of the EKR. The Walmer Model Railway Club is also at the railway and they have an exciting model display in a beautiful LMS coach. Also calling the East Kent Railway home are the EPB Preservation Group, Southern Electric Group and the Trolley Bus Group. The railway runs trains on most Sundays throughout the year, with the exception of winter months, when a limited service may be in operation.

Location
Station Road, Shepherdswell, Dover, Kent, CT15 7PD, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01304 832 042
East Lancashire Railway

East Lancashire Railway

Bury, Lancashire,

The Railway’s past is inextricably linked to that of the area's industry. The railways provided industries with a vital link to the country’s network of import, export, raw materials and, most importantly, workers. Even in those utilitarian times however, the East Lancashire Railway provided a leisure-time service for holidaying workers. Under various names the East Lancashire Light Railway company and the East Lancashire Railway trust have worked diligently and for the most part voluntarily to keep a little piece of this bygone age alive. The story does not end there, the railway continues to develop its services and expand, and with the invaluable aid of its staff and volunteers, will hopefully continue to do so for many years to come.

Location
Bolton Street Station, Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0EY, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
East Somerset Railway

East Somerset Railway

Shepton Mallett, Somerset,

The East Somerset Heritage Railway was founded by David Shepherd in August 1974. Originally opened in 1858 it’s is now operated by dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers, recently boosted by the award of a Lottery grant to reinstate the second platform at Cranmore Station. We are a dementia friendly and wheelchair friendly attraction with catering facilities. We refurbish and maintain our own Steam Engines and Carriages, and welcome visitors to our workshops.

Location
Cranmore Railway Station, Cranmore, Shepton Mallett, Somerset, BA4 4QP, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01749 880 417
Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway

Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway

Eastleigh, Hampshire,

Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway is a popular attraction near to Southampton, perfect for a day out with the kids. Our steam trains run from the main station at Eastleigh Parkway, with the entire trip totalling 15-20 minutes. We do have a small stock of pocket money items and ice creams on sale at our outdoor ticket desk. We believe we have the largest collection of Miniature locomotives on a commercial railway, with a total of 24 in the collection; 21 being steam powered and most of them are in steam on gala days. Please note that Dogs are more than welcome at the railway. They are allowed everywhere, including the cafe. Dogs travel free on the trains.

Location
Lakeside Country Park, Wide Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 5PE, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
Phone
023 8061 2020
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

Wirksworth, Matlock,

Running from Duffield near Derby in the south, along the unspoilt and gentle Ecclesbourne Valley, our railway meanders for nine miles to Wirksworth, the Gem of the Peak, at the southern end of the Peak District. We run heritage steam and diesel trains and have a variety of attractions for all the family. In addition to our Day Rovers, why not check out our range of popular Derbyshire Countryman dining experiences or footplate experiences?

Location
WyvernRail plc, Station Road, Wirksworth, Matlock, DE4 4FB, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01629 823 076
Echills Wood Railway

Echills Wood Railway

Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham,

The railway runs passenger carrying scale models of engines and trains that do or have run on the full size national railway. Also there are models of locomotives that come from the narrow gauge industrial heritage such as the wonderful Welsh mountain and slate railways. We have diesel locomotives, electric locomotives and trams, all on a 2 km line running through some of the beautiful wooded 600 acres of Kingsbury Water Park. The Park with its 15 lakes, maturing woodlands and abundant wildlife is a delightful place to visit with the whole family to enjoy a peaceful natural environment with one of the finest miniature railways in the country. The railway is one of the longest of its kind and prides itself on running not only in a safe professional way but also being authentic with both light and semaphore signalling, working signal boxes and controlled crossings; you will also hear the sound of guards whistles and see how the trains are started with the proper flags. Ask all the questions you like and the staff will tell you what you want to know. Come and join us for a wonderful experience and also explore the beautiful nature of the Water Park and let the kids have fun in the play parks. Please explore our site, watch some videos of the railway in action and find out when the next special event is on.

Location
Kingsbury Water Park, Bodymoor Heath Road, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, B76 0DY, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
Eden Valley Railway

Eden Valley Railway

Appleby, Cumbria,

We have displays and exhibits in our Musuem and Station Master's Office. Our rolling stock in the main platform are easily accessible and can be viewed in our train shed and outdoors. We also have a maintenance shed and workshop which houses our historic wooden bodied vehicle collection which is undergoing restoration. Access to this area is under supervision by a member of our platform staff. On event days we have stalls and/or exhibits on the station platform and refreshments in our 1930s buffet car. We currently have 1/4 mile of running line which extends West from the station along the alignment of the old Eden Valley Railway line. The services we operate are either Diesel or Steam Hauled with compartment and open rolling stock. The compartment stock that is currently operational is a Mark 1 BSK and a LNER Gresley Teak 3669. There are facilities for wheelchair users and their guests in both vehicles. The open stock is a Mark 1 TSO (operational) and an LNER Gresley Teak TTO 60505.

Location
Warcop Station, Warcop, Appleby, Cumbria, CA16 6PR, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
0176 83 42309
Elsecar Heritage Railway

Elsecar Heritage Railway

Barnsley, South Yorkshire,

Come along and drop into our Elsecar Station for a real, warm Yorkshire welcome. Join us on Sunday afternoons for our regular passenger train rides, meet the crew, see the trains and explore the station and history of Elsecar Heritage Railway. A great place for the family and enthusiast to visit.

Location
Elsecar Heritage Railway, Wath Road, Elsecar, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S74 8HJ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01226 746 746