Come rain or shine the August bank holiday will soon be upon us. Though we can’t promise good weather, we can guarantee a jolly load of fun when you visit one of these awesome historic train lines, all of which are offering visitors an extra-special event, treat or incentive to mark the long weekend.
From a delightful teddy bear’s picnic to a thirst-quenching beer festival, get ready for your next family adventure by train from August 26-28. You might even learn a thing or two about Britain’s fascinating heritage railways during your trip. Let’s go.
Bure Valley Railway
Take a nostalgic steam train trip along Norfolk’s longest narrow-gauge railway, which connects the market town of Aylsham to the pretty village of Wroxham. Hop on board one of the steam locos and trundle across the tracks, along the valley of the River Bure past patchwork fields and meadowland. A single journey takes approx. 45 minutes from Aylsham to Wroxham, where you can make an afternoon pit stop and delight in a boat trip on the picturesque Norfolk Broads. This August bank holiday weekend, the Bure Valley Railway are offering kids free travel (max 2 children per booking), and there will even be a live steam model layout at Aylsham Station for visitors to enjoy.
Book tickets: www.bvrw.co.uk
Kent & East Sussex Railway
Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this pleasant journey between Tenterden Town and Bodiam takes around 50 minutes each way, offering mesmerising views of the unspoilt Rother Valley. To celebrate the long weekend, Kent & East Sussex Railway are throwing a Teddy Bear’s Picnic and inviting children to bring their favourite teddy or soft cuddly toy with them for a free trip on one of the heritage trains (accompanied by a fare paying adult). Little ones can even make their own teddy bear badge during the journey.
Book tickets: www.kesr.org.uk
Mid-Suffolk Light Railway
Step back into the past and marvel at the wonders of Edwardian travel when you visit the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Museum. Despite the track being lifted in 1953 and the trackbed of the ‘Middy’ slowly disappearing into the Suffolk landscape, a railway preservation society swooped in some 40 years later to re-create the much-loved heritage train line, and today, the attraction boasts a refreshment room, shop, real ale bar coach, a demonstration line, some original buildings, and more. But the fun doesn’t stop there. This bank holiday weekend will see the return of Model Mania & Hornby Collectors Day, featuring modellers with their many variations of trains, boats, planes, and road vehicles.
Book tickets: www.mslr.org.uk
South Devon Railway
Get ready for the ultimate knees-up at the August bank holiday Rails & Ales Beer Festival at Staverton Station. Steam train trips will continue to run all day along the historic line, meaning visitors can make the most of the free car park at Buckfastleigh before hopping abord a vintage locomotive and heading to the festival to sample a selection of ales, craft beers and ciders from Devon Diesel Society’s award-winning bar. Passengers travelling with little ones will find plenty to interest and entertain children across the network including a railway museum and miniature railway at Buckfastleigh.
Book tickets: www.southdevonrailway.co.uk
Didcot Railway Centre
Explore the living museum of the Great Western Railway and discover a remarkable collection of steam locomotives, carriages, wagons, buildings, and more. Take a ride on the main demonstration line, on a train hauled by a larger steam loco; visit the epic 1932 Engine Shed; try your hand at the equipment in the Signalling Centre; or watch one of the locomotives being coaled at the Coal Stage. For an added treat, visitors who book tickets for Monday 28th August will also get to see Paddington Bear, who will be meeting and greeting fans at intervals throughout the day.
Book tickets: www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
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earn all about the history of Britain’s historic train lines with Julian Holland’s book Britain’s Heritage Railways, which is out now in paperback and available to buy online and from all good book shops.