33 brilliant days out for kids who love trains

Flying Scotsman VR will take you on a journey back in time and around the world as you join the greatest moments in the famous locomotive's past 100 years. Guided by a cast of historic figures you will be part of key moments in the Flying Scotsman story including the British Empire Exhibition, 100mph record-breaking run and journeys around North America and Australia. Celebrating engineering brilliance and exploring the science behind steam power, this is a multi-sensory experience using cutting-edge technology to bring Flying Scotsman’s stories to life right in front of you. It's the perfect way to showcase the history and science of trains for kids!
Where: National Railway Museum, Leeman Road York YO26 4XJ

Flying Scotsman returns to the National Railway Museum for October half term. Flying Scotsman will be on display on the turntable in Great Hall allowing a 360 degree view. See the locomotive in all its glory and make sure you buy tickets in advance for the new cutting-edge Flying Scotsman VR experience celebrating the stories that have made it the most famous steam locomotive in the world. The special centenary exhibition Flying Scotsman: 100 Years, 100 Voices will be on display in The Flying Scotsman Story in North Shed.
When: 21 Oct-5 Nov 23
Where: National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ

Join Thomas the Tank Engine - one of the most iconic trains for kids! - for a day of colourful adventure at East Anglian Railway Museum this October. All aboard a train ride with Thomas or Percy, real steam engines; say Hello to Sir Topham Hatt; and join performances from Rusty and Dusty for a trainload of sing-a-long fun. There'll be a scavenger hunt, garden games, tea-cup rides and more on this brilliant day out for Thomas the Tank Engine fans.
When: select dates between 28 Oct-17 Dec 23
Where: Day Out With Thomas, Chappel and Wakes Colne Station, Station Road, Wakes Colne, CO6 2DS

• There are many other Day Out With Thomas events taking place across the UK. Find out more here.

The spooky Hallowscream Express returns to the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway for a frightful time! Dare you ride as Bones the Steam and his team take over the trains? Complete the Halloween trail to be in with a chance to win a Ghoulish Goody Bag. Don't miss the opportunity to get kitted out in your best fancy dress. Will you be a werewolf, a witch, or something even scarier? Each child in full Halloween costume will receive a trail and goody bag free of charge!
When: 21-31 Oct 23
Where: Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, Lakeside Station, Kings Road, Cleethorpes DN35 0AG

The whole family will enjoy the 6-mile round trip on Avon Valley Railway. Steam and diesel engines will take you through beautiful West Country landscapes from Bitton station through Oldland Common and Avon Riverside. And you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea in the station buffet, which is open daily; or travel on a special dining train with afternoon tea, or even fish and chips on board; or take a picnic to the dedicated area at Avon Riverside Station and watch steam and diesel trains trundle across the girder bridge. Look out, too, for special events throughout the year.
When: Open daily
Where: Avon Valley Railway, Bitton Station, Bath Road, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6HD

Are you brave enough to board the spooky steam train this Halloween? Once every 10 years at Summerseat tunnel a portal opens to the dark past … But what evil beasties and nasty things await on the other side? Head to East Lancashire Railway this year for family Halloween fun aboard the 'scream' train and help the Monster Squad keep order. Warning: This is a family event and joining in, screaming and singing along is encouraged. There will be ghoulish goodies galore; your monstrous new friends will include a fang-tastically friendly vampire, a chatty Zombie, mad Dr Frankenburger, a snappy plant creature and more. Make the most of this opportunity to show off your best fancy dress – you want to blend in with all the creeps and critters after all!
When: 26-28 Oct 23
Where: East Lancashire Railway, Bury Bolton Street Railway Station, Bury, Greater Manchester

Fans of the National Railway Museum in York are in for a real treat in 2023, as a brand new gallery called Wonderlab opens at the site. The new gallery features 18 interactive exhibits with an engineering theme, plus two specially commissioned art installations, designed to inspire the next generation of engineers.
When: Now open
Where: National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ

Ruislip Lido Railway is a cute, miniature railway that runs from the Waters Edge pub in Ruislip to a little play area and back, along with little trains for kids! The journey itself is about 11 minutes long and makes for a nice gentle ride through the trees that your train-mad kids will love. The play area includes a man-made beach, slides, swings and climbing frames. Don't miss the Easter and Santa Specials.
When: weekends and school holidays; Feb-Nov
Where: Ruislip Lido Railway, Reservoir Road, Northwood, Ruislip HA4 7TY

If your kids are mad about trains and boats, they'll love a day out with the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company. The steam train runs 7 miles down the beautiful Devon coastline while the river boats cruise gently down the River Dart. Book a Round Robin, and enjoy a full-day excursion – a steam train trip, ferry crossing, river cruise and a bus ride - phew! A great day out for the whole family.
When: Feb-Oct
Where: Dartmouth Steam Railway, Kingswear, Brixham TQ6 0SG

Learn all about steam locomotives through the ages at Mangapps Railway and Museum. There is a fascinating collection of memorabilia, signalling equipment, carriages and wagons ... as well as train rides.
When: weekends and school holidays, Mar-Oct
Where: Mangapps Railway and Museum, Southminster Road, Burnham-on-Crouch CM0 8QG

Enjoy a day of gentle travel on Leighton Buzzard Railway on a 1 hour 10 minutes round trip on a steam locomotive. During the journey, you'll learn about 90 years of history on the railway while your little ones watch the world go by the window.
When: Mar-Oct
Where: Leighton Buzzard Railway, Pages Park Station, Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard LU7 4TG

Boasting the longest narrow gauge steam railway in the world, Wells and Walsingham Light Railway takes in the beautiful scenery of Norfolk. Covering five bridges in total and the lovely village of Walsingham, it's a great family day out.
When: daily Mar-Oct
Where: Wells and Walsingham Light Railway, The Light Railway Station, Stiffkey Rd, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1QB

Your train-mad kid will love Thomas Land, a dedicated theme park for kids in the grounds of Drayton Manor Park (which has rides for bigger kids, too). From bashing about on the diesel engines to being hoisted up on Cranky's Tower Drop or whirling about on Harold's Helicopter Tour, there are loads of toddler and preschool-age friendly rides. Catch the train over to Tidmouth Hault station where you'll find Spencer's Outdoor Play Area and an indoor model train track that'll mesmerise train fans, whatever their age.
When: select dates throughout the year,
Where: Thomas Land, Drayton Manor Drive, Mile Oak, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TW

The past and present collide at Railworld Wildlife Haven. With more 30 operating locomotives, this model railway has everything from a Thomas the Tank Engine to Eurostar. There's also a live video feed from inside the driver's cab of a diesel train. Your child can even drive a model Thomas the Tank Engine – a great day out for train-mad kids.
When: weekends, Apr-Oct
Where: Railworld Wildlife Haven, Meadow Car Park, City Council Fair, Oundle Road, Peterborough PE2 9NR

Kids of all ages will love the London Transport Museum, which offers so many fantastic ways to play as you learn about trains, and the many other forms of transport that carry people around London. There's the chance to sit inside older train carriages; find out about the world's first underground railway; learn how railways transformed London's suburbs; and even practise 'driving' a tube train.
When: open daily
Where: London Transport Museum, The Piazza, London WC2E 7BB

• Want to explore more London museums? These are the best London museums for toddlers and here are some ideas for enjoying London with teenagers

Running for 8 miles from Loughborough to Leicester, Great Central Railway is the UK's only mainline steam railway. Thomas the Tank Engine visits a few times a year so check the website to see when he's next due. Peep peep!
When: every weekend of the year, bank holidays and selected week days in summer
Where: Great Central Railway, Great Central Road, Loughborough LE11 1RW

The East Anglian Railway Museum is located at Chappel and Wakes Colne railway station in Essex. This brilliant little museum is open to families on Wednesdays and every weekend. Look out for Victorian buildings, restored trains and working signal boxes which tell the story of a time when the railway was one of the largest employers in the region. There are regular event days, including Days Out With Thomas; perfect for Thomas the Tank Engine fans.
Where: East Anglian Railway Museum, Station Road, Wakes Colne, Colchester CO6 2DS

Venture into the servants' wing at the National Trust's Ormsby Hall and you'll hear the familiar noise of trains. Follow the sound and you'll find two permanent model railway layouts: Corfe Castle, and an interactive children's layout. The Corfe Castle model is set in the early 1920s and depicts Corfe Castle Station and an imaginary village, made to scale from card models of various buildings in the surrounding area. Kids will love the interactive layout with four circuits of track and buttons to push to make the trains move.
Where: Ormesby Hall, Church Lane, Ormesby, Middlesbrough TS3 0SR

Shildon, County Durham, is the world's first railway town, and a sure-fire hit with any young fans of trains, railways and engineering. It's a really interactive museum with the chance to play with train tables, build towers, listen to stories and sounds, and watch model trains. Look out for the train-themed cafe, or take a picnic which you can enjoy inside or outside. And don't miss the locomotive-themed play area outside if the weather's good!
When: Wed–Sun throughout the year
Where: Locomotion, Dale Road Industrial Estate, Shildon DL4 2RE

• Love museums? Here are our tips for the best family-friendly museums in the UK

Echills Wood Railway is a cute little steam train that runs through the beautiful wooded 600 acres of Kingsbury Water Park. There are special Halloween and Christmas events too, so check the website for details.
When: Mar-Dec
Where: Echills Wood Railway, Kingsbury Water Park, Bodymoor Heath Rd, Bodymoor Heath, Sutton Coldfield B76 0DY

With special events happening all year round, the Wensleydale Railway is always a fun day out for the whole family. Explore the history of train travel between the 1950s to 1980s and visit the pretty Yorkshire towns you'll pass through on the journey.
When: All year round
Where: Wenselydale Railway, Leeming Bar Station, Leases Road, Leeming Bar, DL7 9AR

The Audley End Miniature Railway and Enchanted Fairy and Elf Walk is a brilliant family day out near Saffron Walden, Essex designed for really imaginative family fun. Take a steam or diesel engine through the beautiful Audley End Estate Woodland, designed by Capability Brown. Boasting hundreds of majestic trees and flooded with wildlife, be sure to keep your eyes peeled as you travel around the private 1.5mile track. During your journey you can use an I-Spy sheet to look out for the many characters, animals and even teddy bears that take pride of place throughout the route, a tradition that was started many years ago by the Braybrooke family. You might even see a pill box from the Second World War, cross the River Cam, travel through tunnels and, if you’re really lucky, spot a peacock!
When: Mar-Dec 23
Where: Audley End Miniature Railway and Enchanted Fairy and Elf Walk, Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Walden CB11 4JB

• Love fairies? Here are the UK's best fairy trails

Brookside Miniature Railway features three steam trains and two diesel trains - perfect if your kids love trains. Enjoy a half a mile trip round Brookside Garden Centre in an authentic replica West Country train station.
When: weekends all year round
Where: Brookside Miniature Railway, London Road North, Poynton, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK12 1BZ

Learn all about the history of working trains in Tyneside at The Stephenson Railway Museum. Exhibits span from the 1800s to the 1950s, so you'll get a brilliant train-themed tour through time.
When: Feb-Oct
Where: Stephenson Steam Railway, Middle Engine Lane, Wallsend, North Shields NE29 8DX

One of the most scenic railway rides in the country, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway takes in seven miles of the beautiful Lake District National Park. The whole family will love watching the wildlife from the window – see if you can spot buzzards and red squirrels.
When: select dates Nov-Dec; daily from Feb-Oct
Where: Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Railway Station, Ravenglass CA18 1SW

Harry Potter fans will love a ride on the real Hogwarts Express. The Jacobite steam train offers a magical 84-mile round trip through the breathtaking Scottish Highlands. Starting close to Ben Nevis, you'll go over the Glenfinnan viaduct (also featured in the Harry Potter films) and through numerous beautiful villages and valleys.
When: Apr-Oct
Where: Jacobite Steam Trains, West Coast Railways, Fort William Railway Station, Lochaber PH33 6EW

• Love Harry Potter? Here are our recommendations for top Harry Potter days out for families

Thomas the Tank Engine fans will love The Clyde Valley Model Railway – especially watching Thomas chug round the track with Annie and Clarabel.
When: daily
Where: Clyde Valley Model Railway, Dobbies Clyde Valley, Crossford, Carluke ML8 5QF

Take a picturesque ride through Whin Park on the cute seven and a quarter inch gauge Ness Island Railway. More than half a mile long, it's a gentle ride that both kids and adults will love.
When: weekends and daily throughout school holidays
Where: Ness Island Railway, Whin Park, Bught Road, Inverness IV3 5SS

Get on the little steam train at Aberystwyth and enjoy the 12-mile trip to Devil's Bridge on the Vale of Rheidol Railway. See if you can spot a red kite or two out the train window.
When: Mar-Oct
Where: Vale of Rheidol Railway, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG

The landscape surrounding the beautiful Mount Snowdon is second to none. The Snowdon Mountain Railway will take you to the summit so you and your family can enjoy the stunning views.
When: Apr-Oct
Where: Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis, Caernarfon LL55 4TU

At Gwili Steam Railway, you can take a gentle steam ride alongside the river as well as a trip on the miniature railway - both are included in the ticket price. You can also enjoy afternoon tea on board or take a picnic to the riverside. Ideal for train fans, young and old.
When: all year round
Where: Gwili Steam Railway, Bronwydd Arms Railway Station, Bronwydd Arms, Carmarthen SA33 6HT

Every train enthusiast will love a trip on the gentle nostalgic Downpatrick and County Down Railway. As well as a 10-minute trip on a steam locomotive, there's a small museum and fascinating things to see at each station.
When: dates throughout the year
Where: Downpatrick and County Down Railway, Market Street, Downpatrick BT30 6LZ

The Irish Railway Collection in the railway gallery at Cultra houses 40 full-size railway vehicles and buildings covering Ireland’s rich railway history. Around the walls you'll find thematic displays featuring photographs, paintings, technical drawings and small objects interpreting various aspects of the development and decline of railways in Ireland. These displays are brought to life by a number of locomotive and train models, and you're also able to hop on board some of our trains to explore inside!
Where: Ulster Transport Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood BT18 0EU