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
Rocks By Rail

Rocks By Rail

Cottesmore, Rutland,

Rocks by Rail is an outdoor adventure, cast in an ironstone quarry. Covering 19 acres of reclaimed quarry, railway tracks and nature trails, Rocks By Rail is a journey back in time. It’s an unmissable opportunity to experience an awesome industrial landscape. Explore fascinating nature trails. Take a train trip. Drive a classic loco. Tour the workshop and loco yard. View the ironstone exhibition and learn about its importance throughout history. Then sit back with a cuppa in a 1960s style café, or browse the Museum shop. Rocks By Rail is a big value day out. Whether you’re a family seeking informative fun, a rail and digger enthusiast, or a teacher looking for ways to bring lessons to life – you’ll find the living ironstone museum so involving you’ll wonder where the hours went!

Location
Ashwell Road, Cottesmore, Rutland, LE15 7FF, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Heritage Centre (all one site)
Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway

Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway

New Romney, Kent,

Known as "Kent’s Mainline in Miniature", our world famous one-third full size steam & diesel locomotives have powered their way along the 13½ miles of track from the Cinque Port town of Hythe, terminating in Dungeness; a National Nature Reserve. With 4 stations in between, all within walking distance of a beach, our railway provides you with an opportunity to explore this unique corner of Kent. Coast & country walks, with all manner of wildlife & flora to be seen, cycle rides, medieval churches and iconic lighthouses are all on our doorstep. With excellent catering facilities available at some stations, our ever-popular Model Railway Exhibition, play parks, good station shops, free car parking and facilities to assist our disabled visitors, RH&DR is the perfect any-weather, all-generations great day out.

Location
New Romney Station, Littlestone Road, New Romney, Kent, TN28 8PL, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15”+)
Phone
07592 760 607
Romsey Signal Box Working Museum

Romsey Signal Box Working Museum

Romsey, Hampshire,

Romsey Signal Box is a building from 1873 and a working museum which gives an insight into the life of a railway signalman. As well as the main attraction, the site has visitor centres containing a miniature signalbox where working demonstrations are run most open days, along with restored artefacts, photographs and information about the history of the restoration. There are also picnic and garden areas. There are modest charges to enter the site, the funds from which are used to continue with our restoration projects. The site is accessible by wheelchair, although the working floor of the signalbox can only be accessed by climbing the authentic steps. However, a CCTV link has been established linking the box to the pavilion for wheelchair users and visitors who are not confident using stairs.

Location
Romsey Signal Box, Brick Lane, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8LG, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Royal Deeside Railway

Royal Deeside Railway

Kincardineshire,

The original Deeside Railway opened on 8th September 1853 and reached Ballater some 13 years later. It amalgamated with the Great North of Scotland Railway in 1876. The line was regularly patronised by the Royal Family and other visitors to Balmoral Castle until it closed in 1966 as a result of the notorious Beeching Report. Thirty years later, the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society was formed and the work of restoring part of the line commenced in 2003. We now have about a mile of track in passenger service and are gradually extending the line along the original trackbed until we reach Banchory, which will give us a running line of just over 2 miles.

Location
Milton of Crathes, Banchory, Kincardineshire, AB31 5QH, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01330 844 416
Royal Gunpowder Mills

Royal Gunpowder Mills

Waltham Abbey, Essex,

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a narrow gauge railway was used to transport materials around the site. Over the past decade a dedicated team of volunteers have constructed a 2 foot 6 inch gauge railway, reflecting this history. The Gunpowder Railway completed its first full running season at the end of October of 2022, transporting over 1500 passengers!

Location
Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Museum
Phone
01992 707370
Royal Victoria Railway

Royal Victoria Railway

Southampton, Hampshire,

The 10 1/4 Railway was started in 1995 and now covers approximately 1 mile of track with unrivalled views of Southampton water. A new station building and a 3/4 mile extension are under construction. Home to a large variety of steam and diesel locomotives. Open every weekend and all school holidays.

Location
Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 5GA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15”)
Phone
023 8045 6246
Ruislip Lido Railway

Ruislip Lido Railway

Ruislip,

Woody Bay station is beside the beach & children’s splash pad, and it is the oldest terminus on the line. The other station is Willow Lawn station, located next to the car park and nearby the ‘Waters Edge’ pub & carvery. At Willow Lawn station, passengers can observe the locomotive being turned on the turntable, before the train heads back to Woody Bay. All our trains are wheelchair, pushchair and buggy friendly. The service is normally operated by one of our large diesel locomotives. On weekends and Bank Holidays, our steam locomotive 'Mad Bess', which is a half scale version of the Ffestiniog Railway locomotive 'Blanche', may pull the train.

Location
Reservoir Road, Ruislip, HA4 7TY, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Miniature Railway (<15”)
Phone
01895 622 595
Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway

Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway

Rushden, Northamptonshire,

Rushden Transport Museum is in East Northamptonshire close to the county borders with Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

Location
Rushden Transport Museum, Rushden Station, Station Approach, Rushden, Northamptonshire, NN10 0AW, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
0300 302 3150
Saltburn Cliff Tramway

Saltburn Cliff Tramway

Saltburn,

On June 28 1884 Saltburn’s unique funicular Cliff Tramway opened to the public replacing the vertical hoist. Still in use today, this incorporates the same ingenious system of counterbalancing water tanks. Two cars each fitted with a 1500 litre water tank, run on parallel tracks, the carriage at the top of the 71% incline has its tank filled with water until it over balances the weight of the carriage 120ft below and gently descends while the lower car ascends. When the carriage reaches the bottom its water is re-pumped to the top and the process begins again. The entire operation is controlled by the brake man from the cabin at the top station of the tramway.

Location
Lower Promenade, Saltburn, TS12 1HQ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Funicular / Cliff Railway
Phone
01287 622 528
Saltburn Miniature Railway

Saltburn Miniature Railway

Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire,

We have been here since 1947 and it is entirely manned by dedicated volunteers. We are open afternoons between 1 pm and 5 pm from Good Friday until the last weekend of September.

Location
Saltburn Valley Gardens, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, TS12 1HA, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15”+)
Phone
01287 622 712
Scarborough North Bay Railway

Scarborough North Bay Railway

The Scarborough North Bay Railway is a great way to travel to Scarborough Sea Life Centre with our regular public transport service train. More than just a railway, bring your family to explore the Sky Trail, experience the thrill of the historic Water Chute, face the challenge of the Water Balls or take things more leisurely on the boating lake. Our seaside attraction is family friendly and accessible for pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters. 100% dog friendly and you are welcome to travel on the train with dogs for a small fee but we do ask you keep your dog on a short lead.

Location
Burniston Rd, Scarborough, YO12 6PF, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15”+)
Phone
01723 368 791
Scarborough Spa Cliff Lift

Scarborough Spa Cliff Lift

Scarborough, North Yorkshire,

The lift was designed by a Mr Lucas, a consulting engineer of Great George Street, Westminster and built by the Crossley Brothers of Manchester. The Metropolitan Railway Company of Birmingham supplied two cars designed to run on a Funicular system, in which a cable attached to both cars on the rails would move them up and down a very steep gradient, the ascending and descending vehicles counterbalancing each other. Each car was capable of carrying 20 passengers. The covered-body carriages of the cars were mounted on a triangular sub-frame that housed a water tank. The original hydraulic operating system pumped water through the central pipe by two gas engines, filling the water tank of the upper car. With the weight of this car now much increased, when the brakes were released gravity ensured that the upper car descended, whilst at the same time the lower car with the empty tank ascended. On reaching the bottom, the car’s water tank would be emptied, and the process would begin again with the car now at the top. The gas engines did not prove satisfactory and were replaced in 1879 by coke-burning steam pumps which remained until a major refurbishment in 1934-35 by Hudswell, Clarke & Company. These works included the replacement of the two 19th century cars, with new cars that have changed very little to this day, and the installation of a 90hp electric winding motor replacing the hydraulic system.

Location
Scarborough Spa, South Bay, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 2HD, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Funicular / Cliff Railway
Phone
01723 376774
Seaton Tramway

Seaton Tramway

Seaton, Devon,

The coastal resort of Seaton is now a gateway town to the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whilst the historic town of Colyton is described as "Devon’s Most Rebellious Town" for its part in the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. Be sure to pay us a visit!

Location
Harbour Road, Seaton, Devon, EX12 2NQ, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Heritage Tramway
Phone
01297 203 75
Severn Valley Railway

Severn Valley Railway

Kidderminster, Worcestershire,

As part of the experience, make a stop for discovery at The Engine House, our indoor visitor centre at Highley, home to our reserve collection of full-size steam locomotives. Take a fascinating journey behind the scenes, explore the interactive exhibits, let off steam at our outdoor play area and meet the locomotive that collided with a camel. If you are a railway enthusiast or simply looking for things to do with the family a trip to the Severn Valley Railway will provide fun for the whole family.

Location
One Comberton Place, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 1QR, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01562 757 900
Sherwood Forest Railway

Sherwood Forest Railway

Mansfield,

The route we now take was part of the flood dykes, an irrigation system built between 1819 and 1838 by the Duke of Portland who spent almost £40,000 on a 7.5 mile irrigation scheme to create water meadows on the dry and sandy land. Huge amounts of earth were moved to smooth the fields and move the river, with an irrigation canal being excavated along the top between Mansfield Woodhouse and where we are now. This was partially drained in the fifties to allow development but provides us with a stunning valley to run around and a level course to continue along for future extensions. The railway is a family concern and we would like this opportunity to thank all our hardworking volunteers, without whom, we wouldn’t have the fantastic little railway we have today.

Location
Gorsethorpe Lane, Mansfield, NG21 9HL, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15”+)
Phone
07871 126074
Shipley Glen Tramway

Shipley Glen Tramway

Shipley,

Your journey starts at the upper station where there is an 'olde-world shoppe' selling sweets and confectionary items. The ride travels through the beautifully scenic woods down the glen and ends at our museum area where you can see some of the history of the tramway. Here you are just across the road from Roberts Park (Saltaire) with pleasant walks through the gardens to the River Aire and various picnic areas.

Location
Prod Lane, Baildon, Shipley, BD17 5BN, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Funicular / Cliff Railway
Phone
01274 589 010
Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway

Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway

Sittingbourne, Kent,

The line which is built to a gauge of 2 6, continues to use the steam engines and rolling stock that were supplied to operate the railway in its working life prior to preservation in 1969.

Location
The Wall, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 2XD, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15”+)
Phone
01795 424 899
Snaefell Mountain Railway

Snaefell Mountain Railway

Laxey, Isle of Man,

The Snaefell Mountain Railway takes you on a journey winding high up into the Manx Hills to the Islands Highest Summit; Snaefell Mountain 2,036 feet above sea level. Along the journey unrivalled views of Laxey Valley and the Great Laxey Wheel can be taken in from the railway. At The Bungalow the railway crosses the world famous TT and MGP course. As the railway climbs higher the mountain scenery opens up as the railway spirals around Snaefell with far reaching views of the Sulby Valley and northern plains. Upon reaching the Summit you can take time to relax inside the Snaefell Summit Hotel or take a short walk to the peak of the Summit for a view of the ‘Seven Kingdoms’, The Kingdom of Mann, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and The Kingdoms of Heaven and Neptune.

Location
Laxey Station, Laxey, Isle of Man, IM4 7NY, IM
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15”+)
Phone
01624 662 525
Snowdon Mountain Railway

Snowdon Mountain Railway

Llanberis, Gwynedd,

You can relax in our flower-lined forecourt, taking in the views of the surrounding mountains, before they begin their journey up through the clouds to Yr Wyddfa, Snowdon. Our station gift shop is housed in the original Booking Hall from 1896. The original beams are exposed, and Victorian shop fittings were sourced to enhance the stations heritage. The shop has a selection of authentic Welsh products including locally crafted ales and spirits, unique Snowdon Mountain Railway souvenirs, clothing and Celtic jewellery. Our fully licensed Station Buffet and Platform Grill serve a tasty variety of hot and cold snacks from burgers, hot dogs and fries to delicious sandwiches. Hot and cold drinks and a selection of cakes from the local bakery are also available throughout the day, you can even enjoy a Whippy or soft scoop ice cream from our vintage ice cream tram.

Location
Llanberis, Gwynedd, LL55 4TT, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Narrow Gauge Railway (15”+)
Phone
01286 870223
Somerset & Dorset Heritage Railway

Somerset & Dorset Heritage Railway

Midsomer Norton,

At Midsomer Norton you will find the restored station buildings, signal box, goods shed and also two museums: one in the original Victorian Stable Block and the other in our WWII Pill Box (a candidate for the smallest museum in Britain). We have two diesel locomotives, a fully restored Sentinel 0-4-0 vertical-boiler steam locomotive, plus freight and passenger rolling stock and a static buffet coach open for refreshments. Visit the station gift shop and the second-hand bookshop while you are there and enjoy the atmosphere and exhibits on this once-proud and much-loved holiday route.

Location
Midsomer Norton South Railway Station, Silver Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2EY, GB
Distance
Railway Type
Standard Gauge Railway
Phone
01761 411 221