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
Moors Valley Railway

Moors Valley Railway

Ringwood, Dorset,

The 7 ¼â€ gauge narrow gauge railway provides a picturesque journey of just over a mile. Starting at Kingsmere Station, travel along the banks of the Moors Lake, a double loop around the play area incorporating three tunnels, inclines and a bridge before stopping at Lakeside Station. Lakeside Station gives the opportunity to visit the children’s play areas, have a picnic and feed the ducks. Our kiosk offers cold drinks, sweets and locally produced New Forest Ice Cream. From Lakeside you travel back alongside the lake, through a fourth tunnel before going through our goods yard and arriving back at Kingsmere Station. At Kingsmere Station you can visit the Gift Shop, which stocks a wide range of souvenirs and a large selection of model railway goods. Our Station Buffet offers hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks and New Forest Ice Cream.

Location
Moors Valley Country Park, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, Dorset, BH24 2ET, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
Phone
01425 471 415
National Railway Museum

National Railway Museum

York, North Yorkshire,

Dedicated to igniting our visitors’ curiosity about the people, places and engineering marvels behind the railways, we put our passion for amazing stories into everything we do.

Location
Leeman Road, York, North Yorkshire, YO26 4XJ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
0330 058 0058
National Tramway Museum, Crich

National Tramway Museum, Crich

Matlock, Derbyshire,

Home of the National Tramway Museum, come and be transported back in time on our vintage trams. Soak up the atmosphere in our period street with a visit to the shops and take refreshments in the tearooms and pub. We are only 8 miles from the M1 and within an hour’s drive of Derby, Stoke, Leicester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Doncaster. The nearest railway station is Whatstandwell, from which it is a steep uphill walk of about 1 mile.

Location
The National Tramway Museum, Crich Tramway Village, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5DP, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
01773 854 321
Nene Valley Railway

Nene Valley Railway

Peterborough, Northamptonshire,

As both a living heritage railway, which is tended to by its loyal band of volunteers and a thriving attraction for the public to enjoy all year round. Nene Valley Railway offers the chance to experience the thrill of riding a steam engine; learn about the railway’s history; and explore the picturesque surroundings of the Nene Valley area.

Location
Wansford Station, Stibbington, Peterborough, Northamptonshire, PE8 6LR, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01780 784 444
Ness Islands Railway

Ness Islands Railway

Inverness, Inverness-shire,

The railway was established in 1983 and since April 2019 has been owned and operated by Highland Hospice. All surplus funds support the delivery of hospice services across the Highlands. During term times we are only open weekends from 11:00am to 4:00pm. During the school holidays we are open every day from 11:00am to 4:00pm. All trains are Weather Permitting. Check our Facebook page for daily updates on opening.

Location
Whin Park, Bught Rd, Inverness, Inverness-shire, IV3 5SS, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
North Dorset Railway

North Dorset Railway

Blandford Forum, Dorset,

The North Dorset Railway is a heritage standard gauge railway based at Shillingstone Station off the main A357 road, in the heart of rural Dorset. The station is on what was the Somerset and Dorset Railway, which opened in 1862. It eventually became part of British Rail Southern Region and was closed with the ‘Beeching’ cuts in 1966. The track and all of the infrastructure, fortunately excluding the station building and platforms, were removed and the site abandoned. Around 1997, restoration work was started by a group of dedicated volunteers and the North Dorset Railway Trust was formed as a charitable trust to restore this part of the railway as it was in the 1960s and to develop it as a ‘living museum’. Its aim is to bring the station back to life and the first section of track was re-laid in the station in 2008. Significant work has already been completed by the growing army of volunteers and it is now intended to extend the track, initially northwards towards Sturminster Newton, and to run trains on the length of track then available. We warmly welcome visitors to see the progress we have made and enjoy the facilities we offer. We will strive to help make your visit both informative and memorable and look forward to seeing you.

Location
Shillingstone Station, Station Road, Shillingstone, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0SA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
01258 860 696
North Ings Farm Railway

North Ings Farm Railway

Lincoln, Lincolnshire,

We currently have a steam tram and eight industrial diesel locomotives, together with a further two on loan from the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Tywyn, Wales. The passenger train carriages were recently acquired from the former Abbey Light Railway in Leeds, which closed in 2013. The original carriages are in store. The wagon fleet has been collected over the years from many sources. Some have been converted to new uses, such as our original coaches, but we have retained at least one example of each in its original form. The signal box at Pear Tree Junction was recovered from Holmes Yard at Lincoln, where it was latterly in use as a paraffin store. The lever frame is from the former Skellingthorpe box near Lincoln.

Location
Fen Road, Dorrington, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN4 3QB, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
01526 833100
North Norfolk Railway

North Norfolk Railway

Sheringham, Norfolk,

Operated almost entirely by Volunteers from all walks of life, the line is East Anglia’s premier heritage railway. Steam trains operate most days from April to October.

Location
Sheringham Station, Station Approach, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8RA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01263 820 800
North Weald & District Miniature Railway

North Weald & District Miniature Railway

Harlow, Essex,

Maintained and operated by volunteers, meaning we are totally separate to the garden centre. We operate a variety of trains including both steam and diesel electric and petrol hauled services all year on selected days and then Special Events including Christmas Specials in December. The Railway is located at the Harlow Garden Centre on junction 7 of the M11 motorway. Construction of the line began in Spring 2019 and the first trains ran in September 2019. And since then its been extended to the nearly mile long run that it is now, all of which all is thanks to our customers that we have carried since we opened, this has allowed us to do this and constantly improve!

Location
Harlow Garden Centre, Canes Lane, Harlow, Essex, CM17 9LD, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
North Yorkshire Moors Railway

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Pickering, North Yorkshire,

The North Yorkshire Moor Railway is one of the world’s greatest heritage railway experiences with thrills and family fun at its heart. Climb on-board a steam or heritage diesel train and experience 24 miles of Yorkshire’s amazing scenery.

Location
12 Park Street, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7AJ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01751 472 508
Northampton & Lamport Railway

Northampton & Lamport Railway

Chapel Brampton, NORTHAMPTON,

Based at Pitsford & Brampton Station, near the village of Chapel Brampton. We offer both steam and diesel hauled heritage train rides. Throughout the year we hold several different events to suit both enthusiasts and families. For more information visit our website at www.Nlr.org.uk

Location
Pitsford & Brampton Station, Pitsford Road, Chapel Brampton, NORTHAMPTON, NN6 8BA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01604 820 327
Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway

Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway

Northampton, Northamptonshire,

The Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust is based within the grounds of the Hunsbury Hill Country Park which is located at Hunsbury Hill, Southwest of Northampton. The Trust has a small museum and café, workshop and of course its gardens. It features a 1.5 mile long Heritage Railway line that runs through the park of which a small section has been approved for public use. The line is mainly dedicated to freight working, featuring many sharp curves and steep gradients which were typical of the Industrial Railway. Rides are available in a variety of vehicles including a converted brake van.

Location
Hunsbury Hill Road, Camp Hill, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN4 9UW, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01604 702 031
Nottingham Heritage Railway

Nottingham Heritage Railway

Nottingham,

Heritage Steam & Diesel services re-create the experience of train travel from when it was more than just a way to travel from one place to another. Entirely staffed by volunteers, all income is used to preserve railway & transport heritage for future generations. The GCRN is a great experience for all the family. Come and enjoy a day with us!

Location
Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottingham, NG11 6NX, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
0115 940 5705
Old Kiln Light Railway

Old Kiln Light Railway

Farnham, Surrey,

Hop aboard the charming narrow gauge railway in the rural Surrey countryside. Situated in the Rural Life Living Museum, a peaceful, Open Air, Village museum, bordering RSPB Heathland; the Old kiln railway takes you on short but characterful journey, behind one of the many preserved locomotives from all walks of life. From the forests of Portugal, to the Welsh Slate Quarries of Penrhyn, our fine collection of preserved locomotives and stock provides an abundance of railway history to discover and enjoy.

Location
Rural Life Living Museum, Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 2DL, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Peak Rail

Peak Rail

Matlock, Derbyshire,

Whether it’s simply a nostalgic journey back to a bygone age or a discovery of the sights and sounds for very first time of a steam or diesel locomotive Peak Rail welcomes you to experience the thrill of our preserved railway whilst travelling through the delightful Derbyshire countryside. As well as our normal train journeys, there is something for everyone to enjoy, luxury dining is available on our Palatine Restaurant Car which offers Sunday Lunches, Christmas Lunches, Afternoon or Cream Teas and operates on various days during the year. A whole host of various special events take place throughout the year perfect for all the family or enthusiast.

Location
Matlock Station, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3NA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01629 580 381
Perrygrove Railway

Perrygrove Railway

Coleford, Gloucestershire,

Perrygrove Railway Adventure has plenty to offer all year round. A return journey takes 30 minutes. Passengers may alight at the various stations on the way in order to enjoy exciting play areas and woodland walks. We are proud to be a dog friendly, family run attraction. Our narrow gauge railway meanders through the woods and meadows of Perrygrove on a ¾ mile journey. We run both steam and diesel engines. Trains run frequently throughout the day and you can ride as many times as you like.

Location
Perrygrove Road, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 8QB, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Phone
01594 834 991
Plym Valley Railway

Plym Valley Railway

Plymouth, Devon,

The Plym Valley Railway was founded in 1980 with an aim of restoring part of the ex-Great Western branch line from Plymouth to Tavistock that was closed in 1962. The first milestone, Marsh Mills to World’s End, was complete in September 2001. The second milestone, Marsh Mills to Lee Moor Crossing was opened in May 2008 which allowed passengers to ride 3/4 mile of track along the Plym Valley.

Location
Coypool Road, Marsh Mills, Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 4NW, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01752 345 078
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway

Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway

Blaenavon, Torfaen,

Blaenavon's Heritage Railway is set in the heart of a World Heritage Site on the edge of the Brecon Beacons. There is ample free car and coach parking at our main station, Furnace Sidings, located close to the Garn Lakes. From here our trains head north to the Whistle Inn public house and south to Blaenavon High Level Station, the latter a short walk from the town centre. In addition, we also operate a short branch to the Big Pit mining museum. Whether you're looking for a family day out or you are a devoted railway enthusiast, we have something for you!

Location
33 Broad Street, Blaenavon, Torfaen, NP4 9NF, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01495 792 263
Railway Preservation Society of Ireland

Railway Preservation Society of Ireland

Whitehead, Co. Antrim,

Our fascinating five gallery museum allows you to rub shoulders with the giants of steam. You can step on the footplate of a 140 year old engine, get on board a 1950s carriage from the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s collection and see our restoration workshops, where these historic vehicles are brought back to life. You can explore the museum at your leisure, aided along the way by our wonderful guides who will be on hand to help with any questions. They have a rich knowledge of Irish railway heritage - some have been part of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland for over 50 years!

Location
Whitehead Railway Museum, Castleview Road, Whitehead, Co. Antrim, BT38 9NA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
028 9358 6200
Railworld Wildlife Haven

Railworld Wildlife Haven

Peterborough, Cambridgeshire,

Volunteers with the help of many companies, groups and individuals have transformed the derelict coal yard into an inner-city green space, a landscaped haven with ponds and waterfalls, creating increased biodiversity and habitat for our wildlife... plus restored and repurposed Victorian aqueducts and bridges in true 'Circular Economy' style! Over 30 years - Volunteers have also created the ‘Globe Hall Earth Centre’ with a solar powered ‘World’ – Plus over 2,000 sqft of intriguing, exciting model railways!

Location
Oundle Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 9NR, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Other
Phone
01733 344 240