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
Aberystwyth Cliff Railway

Aberystwyth Cliff Railway

Aberystwyth,

At the northern end of Aberystwyth promenade, Constitution Hill rises dramatically from the sea, providing spectacular and uninterrupted views of the town, Cardigan Bay, and on a clear day 26 mountain peaks spanning much of the length of Wales. The most relaxing way to enjoy this majestic panorama is to travel by train on the longest funicular electric cliff railway in Britain, which has been transporting visitors to the summit since opening in 1896.

Location
Cliff Railway House, Cliff Terrace, Aberystwyth, SY23 2DN, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Funicular / Cliff Railway
Phone
01970 617642
Alderney Railway

Alderney Railway

Alderney, Channel Islands,

The Alderney Railway opened in 1847 and runs for about 2 miles, mostly following a coastal route, from Braye Road to Mannez Quarry and Lighthouse. The railway is run by volunteers and usually operates during summer weekends and bank holidays.

Location
PO Box 75, Alderney, Channel Islands, GY9 3DA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Alford Valley Railway

Alford Valley Railway

Alford, Aberdeenshire,

Alford Station is located at what used to be the terminus of the Alford Valley Railway which ran from Alford to Kintore where it connected with the Great North of Scotland Railway. The original passenger platform is still the one used today. The line to Haughton Park was constructed in the early 1980’s by the then Alford Valley Railway Company using rail from the former Alford to Kintore branch. The railway closed in 2017 before being taken over by AVCR in August 2022 and extensive refurbishments to the line and station have been carried out to enable us to run again and the railway has been awarded significant funding to achieve this goal. A vast amount of this work has been carried out by volunteers as AVCR is entirely a voluntary organisation.

Location
70 Main St, Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 8AA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Almond Valley Heritage Trust

Almond Valley Heritage Trust

Livingston, West Lothian,

A trip on our narrow-gauge railway might not be considered as one of great railway journeys of the world, but is still great fun. Our little train is pulled by an old diesel that spent its working life in an explosives factory, which hauls a train of little carriages that we converted from old wagons. Trains run at weekends from Easter to September and daily during some holiday periods – return tickets cost £2 per person.

Location
Millfield, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 7AR, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Phone
01506 414 957
Aln Valley Railway

Aln Valley Railway

Alnwick, Northumberland,

Set in the heart of England's undiscovered county of Northumberland, Alnwick hosts a number of world famous attractions; Alnwick Castle - a setting for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films; the Alnwick Garden - featuring its Poison Garden and Cherry Orchard; and Barter Books - one of the largest second hand bookshops located in the impressive Alnwick railway station built in 1887.

Location
Lionheart Station, Lionheart Enterprise Park, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 2EZ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Amberley Museum Railway

Amberley Museum Railway

Amberley, West Sussex,

With over 40 exhibit areas to discover, including a narrow-gauge railway, historic buses, rural crafts and extensive communications displays, there is something for everyone. Our team of friendly and knowledgeable volunteers are on hand to demonstrate, chat and reminisce.

Location
New Barn Road, Amberley, West Sussex, BN18 9LT, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Heritage Centre (all one site)
Phone
01798 831370
Amerton Railway

Amerton Railway

Nr. Weston, Staffordshire,

Amerton Railway operates steam and diesel locomotives on a one mile line through beautiful countryside. The train stops at Chartley Halt where there is a picnic area to enjoy. We are located next to Amerton Farm and Craft Center, with free parking.

Location
Stowe-by-Chartley, Nr. Weston, Staffordshire, ST18 0LA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Phone
01889 271337
Apedale Valley Light Railway

Apedale Valley Light Railway

Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire,

Passengers join trains at our station located next to the Apedale Heritage Centre. The station building used to be located at Silverdale, on the North Staffordshire Railway. The round trip journey takes around 15 minutes. Trains are hauled by either steam or diesel locomotives from the Trust’s collection, depending on the day. The coaches are also historically interesting – ranging from a replica of a coach used in a north wales slate quarry to a more modern coach formerly operated on the famous Ffestiniog Railway. Some coaches are open and unheated – so if it’s a cold day, wrap up warmly!

Location
Apedale Country Park, Blackbank Road, Knutton, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 6AX, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Phone
0845 094 1953
Appleby Frodingham Railway

Appleby Frodingham Railway

Scunthorpe,

Railtours & Driver experiences at British steel Scunthorpe - Britain's largest industrial Railway. The Appleby Frodingham railway preservation society was formed in 1990 to preserve the industrial railway heritage of the local area. We operate railtours around the Scunthorpe works of British Steel . These are held most summer Saturdays, and are usually hauled by one of our fleet of industrial steam or diesel locomotives. All places must be pre booked Via our website or by telephone

Location
C/O P.O. Box 1, Scunthorpe, DN16 1BP, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
07889 297 271
Audley End Miniature Railway

Audley End Miniature Railway

Saffron Walden, Essex,

Designed by Capability Brown, the estate boasts hundreds of majestic trees and is flooded with wildlife, be sure to keep your eyes peeled as you travel around the private 1.5 mile track.

Location
Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JB, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
Phone
01799 510726
Avon Valley Railway

Avon Valley Railway

Bitton, Bristol,

Opened in 1869 by the Midland Railway as a through-route between Birmingham and the South Coast the line was later linked to the iconic Somerset & Dorset Railway. Closed under the Beeching Axe of the 1960's the Avon Valley Railway was preserved by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. Today, 40 years on, three miles of track has been re-laid, locomotives and carriages restored, and the sound of steam can once again be heard along the Avon Valley.

Location
Bitton Station, Bath Road, Bitton, Bristol, BS30 6HD, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
0117 932 5538
Babbacombe Cliff Railway

Babbacombe Cliff Railway

Torquay, Devon,

Surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery to be found in the UK, the Cliff Railway provides a vital and non-exhausting way for locals and holiday makers alike to soak up the peaceful atmosphere and take in the spectacular views as they travel to and from the water’s edge.

Location
Babbacombe Downs Rd, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LF, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Funicular / Cliff Railway
Bala Lake Railway

Bala Lake Railway

Gwynedd,

Our narrow gauge steam trains give excellent views of the lake amid its surrounding scenery including the nearby mountains of Arenig Fawr, Aran Benllyn and Aran Fawddwy.

Location
The Station, Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd, LL23 7DD, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15"+)
Phone
01678 540 666
Barnards Miniature Railway

Barnards Miniature Railway

West Horndon, Essex,

The Main station at Burton Shaw was moved from its original location where the railway car park is now to a more sylvan position 30 meters to the North where covered facilities could be provided including toilets and a ticket/refreshments desk. The station boasts a large picnic area and this offers a great vantage point to watch the trains arrive and depart the terminus. The station layout was influenced strongly on the layout of Hythe station on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway including a Signal box and turntable. The intermediate stations of Belvedere and Sitooterie offer walks with Belvedere offering a walk up the ‘Belvedere’ affording generous views across South-East Essex, London and Kent. Sitooterie Halt offers a woodland walk to visit Thomas Heatherwick’s ‘Sitooterie’ sculpture. Angel Green is at the end of the line and the locomotives have to work hard up a long gradient to reach this station. The station it’s self is located next to a small lake and it is a great location to watch the locomotive run around it’s carriages to take the train on its return journey. The journey goes though woodland and gardens with plenty to see on the way including bridges, signal boxes, tunnels and sculptures and the railway operated by a collection of steam and diesel locomotives as well as Electric Multiple Units to which many hint to historic connections to the Essex area.

Location
Barnards Farm, Brentwood Road, West Horndon, Essex, CM13 3FY, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre

Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre

Chesterfield, Derbyshire,

Built in 1870, it was threatened with demolition in 1991 when the site was closed by British Rail. It was saved by a group of dedicated volunteers who have transformed it into a unique railway museum and events venue. As well as the turntable and shear legs (lifting gear), it has a changing display of steam and diesel locomotives and other rolling stock, an operational signal box, the Roundhouse Halt platform and Springwell Branch running line. Interpretative displays using items from the Museum’s own collection bring the fascinating story of the Roundhouse and the surrounding area vividly to life.

Location
Campbell Drive, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S43 2PR, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Heritage Centre (all one site)
Phone
01246 472 450
Barry Tourist Railway

Barry Tourist Railway

Barry,

We have a Station Café at the Barry Island Station Buildings, which is open throughout the year from Easter onwards, and our passengers are welcomed to join the Railway at the café where you can purchase tickets for our services. We operate services for passengers on dates throughout the year, using either our own trains, or one of our regular visiting steam locomotives. At Barry we have a heritage 1957 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU Class 101), called Iris II that we have refurbished and turned into a comfortable passenger environment. We also have a Class 73 diesel locomotive, which can typically be seen hauling Mk 2f passenger coaches.

Location
The Station Buildings, Barry Island, Barry, CF62 5TH, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01446 748 816
Barton House Railway

Barton House Railway

Wroxham, Norfolk,

Barton House Railway is a miniature ride-on railway located in a spacious garden alongside the River Bure in Wroxham. It re-creates a traditional railway atmosphere where the whole family can enjoy the nostalgia of the golden age of steam with two ride-on railways, a working full-size signalling system and authentic tickets. During your visit, you can also explore our extensive museum of railway artefacts with a Midland & Great Northern theme, enjoy homemade cakes and light refreshments by the river and also observe the signalman at work in our full-size original signal box which acts as the control centre of the railway. We operate two separate railways, The Midland Railway (3.5") and The Riverside Railway (7.25").

Location
Hartwell Road, The Avenue, Wroxham, Norfolk, NR12 8TL, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
Phone
01603 782 008
Battlefield Line

Battlefield Line

Shackerstone, Leicestershire,

The Battlefield Line is the last remaining part of the former Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway which was opened in 1873. It runs from Shackerstone via Market Bosworth to Shenton in Leicestershire and is operated by the Shackerstone Railway Society. Shackerstone Station is at the northern end of the line, and is the headquarters of the railway with museum, Victorian tea room souvenir shop, loco shed and main rolling stock located here. There is ample free parking, and the Ashby Canal is just a stones throw away. Visit https://www.battlefieldline.co.uk/ for more information.

Location
Shackerstone Station, Shackerstone, Leicestershire, CV13 6NW, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01827 880 754
Beamish Museum

Beamish Museum

Stanley, County Durham,

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North is an award-winning open air museum in the North East of England, which brings the region’s history to life at 1820s Pockerley, The 1900s Town, The 1900s Pit Village, The 1940s Farm and the 1950s welfare hall. Visitors to the open air museum meet costumed folk and discover fascinating stories of everyday life in the North East through time. Explore homes, shops, businesses and other buildings, many of which have been moved to the museum and rebuilt there. Get a taste of history with traditional food including the famous Davy’s fish and chips and sweet treats from the Edwardian sweet shop and bakery. Beamish’s impressive transport collection includes a 1.5mile tramway, four steam railways and a vintage bus service. Find out more at www.beamish.org.uk

Location
Beamish, Stanley, County Durham, DH9 0RG, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Heritage Centre (all one site)
Phone
0191 370 4000
Beer Heights Light Railway

Beer Heights Light Railway

Beer, Devon,

Given the location of Pecorama, high on the hillside above the village of Beer, a ride on the railway offers wonderful views over Lyme Bay and along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the distant Portland Bill.

Location
Underleys, Beer, Devon, EX12 3NA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15")
Phone
01297 215 42