uk ireland train rides | England

Remnant structures and signals crop up along the Battlefield's scenic country route. Diesel and steam-driven locos share haulage duties along this preserved rural line. Highlights include extensive railwayana collections including over 3000 items. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop.

Initially a horse-drawn tramway for hauling coal and ironstone, today's narrow gauge railway retraces the original route before continuing along a country park extension. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: holiday/event excursions.

Narrow-gauge steam runs follow a meandering river route through the picturesque Norfolk Broads. Highlights include Boat Train, bike transport and steam driver experience. Trains operate year-round.Selected features: holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, restaurant, wheelchair access, groups, gift certificates.

Vintage steam and diesel trains roll along this restored stretch of a 19c country line. Highlights include driver experiences and adjoining Farm Park. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: holiday/event excursions, train charters, buffet, groups.

Bedfordshire's rural countryside makes this one-time quarry line perfect for a scenic hour-long excursion. Highlights include free Rail Trail pack for kids. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: dinner trips, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, buffet, wheelchair access.

Rolling along a 17.5 mi/28 km route through central Norfolk's scenic countryside, MNR is among the UK's longest preserved railways. Highlights include steam runs on selected days; driver experience courses. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, dinner trips, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, snack bar, online ticketing, wheelchair access, groups, gift certificates.

Following a 150 year old route through its namesake river valley, this 7.5 mi/12 km railway bills itself as "Britain's International Railway" owing to its reliance on European Gauge stock. Highlights include educational visits, driving courses and an enroute country park. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, train charters, wheelchair access.

Best-known for the firey poppies that line its route in fall, the "Poppy Line" extends 5 mi/8 km from the coastal resort of Sheringham to the Georgian market town of Holt. Highlights include dining trains; driving experiences; behind the scenes tours. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: rail museum, station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shops, gift certificates, online ticketing, wheelchair access.

Built in 1826, this colliery incline is the world's only standard gauge rope-hauled railway still in operation. Highlights include working colliery yard at Springwell. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: holiday/event excursions.

The world's oldest railway began as a horse-drawn colliery line in 1726. Today, vintage trainsets connect half-a-dozen historic stations along a 6 mi/10 km route. Highlights include active railway shed and the world's oldest railway bridge. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, gift shop.

The Liverpool suburb of Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, in Merseyside, is home to the oldest street tramway in Europe -- circa 1860. Today's fleet mixes heritage trams with later day replicas built in Hong Kong in 1992. Trains operate year-round.

Based in the market town of Bury, this heritage line follows the Irwell Valley linking several of Manchester's northern suburbs. Highlights include steam-hauled diner excursions on selected days; driver experience courses available. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: rail museum, onboard and station cafe snack services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, wheelchair access.

The Lake District's only standard gauge railway shuttles holiday merrymakers through the scenic Leven Valley to Lakeside, on Lake Windermere's southern shore. Highlights include train/lake cruise combo and train/aquarium combo. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: station cafe, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop.

A Lakes District fixture for nearly a century, the narrow gauge La'al Ratty -- "little narrow way" -- crosses "two of Lakeland's lovliest valleys" on its 7 mi/11 km run. Highlights include extensive schedule of steam-hauled runs. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, wheelchair access.

See entry under York & Humber, below.

Some 875 ft/267 m above sea level, Northern England's highest elevation narrow gauge railway rolls along a 2.5 mi/4 km line coursing through the scenic South Tyne valley. Highlights include steam-hauled runs on selected days. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: holiday excursions.

Among the UK's oldest preservation railways, the Bluebell has welcomed guests since 1960. Trips along its 9 mi /14 km route draw from one of the nation's largest collections of period steam locos and carriages. Highlights include Golden Arrow Dining Car and Afternoon Tea Lounge Car runs. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: rail museum, onboard and station cafe/snack services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop.

Less than an hour out of London, this "quintessential country branch line" provides a handy break from the urban rush along its 3.5 mi/ 5.5 km length. Highlights include cream tea runs; and driver experiences. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: onboard and station cafe/snack services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, wheelchair access.

The "Bunk Line" rolls through 2.5 mi/4 km of beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, linking the market town of Wallingford with the Network Rail station at Cholsey. Highlights include steam-hauled runs on selected days. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, gift shop, wheelchair access.

A former rail shed and yard set the scene for the Great Western Society's vast collection of steam engines, rolling stock and railroadiana. Highlights, on selected days only, include demonstration runs; on train dining; railway experience events. Trains operate on limited schedules. Selected features: rail museum, cafe services, holiday/event excursions, gift shop, limited wheelchair access.

Trains drawn by heritage diesel take visitors on a 4 mi/6.5 km roundtrip along the last remaining segment of historic Kent coalfield line. Highlights include miniature railway; picnic area. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop.

Bodiam's celebrated Farmers' Train departs within sight of the ancient and moated Bodiam Castle. K&ESR passengers are treated to a scenic 11 mi/17 km run through the rural Rother Valley. Highlights include steam-hauled runs and luxury Pullman dining on selected days; footplate experiences available. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: rail museum, onboard and station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift certificates, wheelchair access.

Nick-named for the watercress harvests it once hauled, today's heritage train steams over 10 mi /16 km of rolling Hampshire countryside. Highlights include Real Ale Trains; luxury dining trains; footplate rides and driving Experiences. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: station cafe/snack services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, gift certificates, online ticketing, wheelchair access.

Opened as the 'World's Smallest Public Railway' in 1927, Kent's mainline in miniature takes passengers on a delightful 13.5 mi/22 km run, from Cinque Port of Hythe, near the channel tunnel, to the fishermen's village of Dungeness. Highlights include shuttles to Romney Marsh reserve; Fisherman diner's excursions; Gladys bar car. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: station cafe/buffet services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, wheelchair access.

Service has been suspended for the 2009 season but is expected to resume in 2010.

Heritage trains steam along this picturesque 4 mi/6.5 km segment of abandoned mainline. Passengers may detrain within easy reach of spectacular High Rocks formations and the the award winning Groombridge Place Gardens and Enchanted Forest. Highlights include Fish and Chip Supper and Real Ale Trains; diesel driver experiences. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: onboard bar/snack and station buffet services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, wheelchair access.

Steam-driven trains follow the gorgeous Avon River Valley down a 3 mi/5 km portion of the former mainline between Bristol and Bath. Highlights include Steam 'n Cuisine, Bistro and Mystery specials; Learn to Drive course. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: station buffet services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, gift certificates, online ticketing, wheelchair access.

The Duchy of Cornwall's only standard gauge railway scales moorland heights as it steams along its 13 mi/21 km route through the Cornish countryside. Highlights include luxury dining trains; locomotive driving and firing courses. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: station buffet/cafe services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, wheelchair access (some restrictions).

"The Friendly Forest Line" welcomes visitors to the Crown Forest of Dean with a 4.25 mi/7 km excursion through the ancient woodland. Highlights include steam runs on selected days; Royal Forester Dining Car; driving experience course. Trains operate seasonally (selected days; no trains in January).Selected features: rail museum, onboard and station buffet services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, wheelchair access.

Steeped in 150 years of history, this 5 mi/8 km round-trip through the Mendip countryside recalls the Golden Age of Steam. Highlights include Wine & Dine and Strawberries & Cream trains; working shed tours; footplate and driving experiences. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: rail museum, station cafe, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, wheelchair access.

Across Gloucestershire's rolling pastures -- and through a 2000 ft/600 m tunnel -- the "Friendly Line In The Cotswolds" ferrys tourists and jump racing fans between Toddington village and the famous Cheltenham Racecourse. Highlights include steam-hauled runs and Wine & Dine lunch excursions on selected days; driving courses and experiences available. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, onboard and station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, wheelchair access.

The English Riviera's 7 mi/11 km coastal railway is popular with seaside vacationeers. Highlights include Boat Train harbor cruise combo or Round Robin train-boat-bus circle tour. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features:station buffet services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, gift certificates, online ticketing, wheelchair access (some restrictions).

Quaint relics of another age, these brilliantly restored trams -- open-air in summer; enclosed saloons in cooler weather -- run a 3 mi/5 km route between the Jurrasic Coast resort of Seaton and nearby valley towns. Trains operate year-round. Selected features: station buffet services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, gift certificates, online ticketing, wheelchair access (some restrictions).

Away from the roadway, this secluded country line steams through the Dart River Valley for a distance of 7 mi/11 km. Highlights include Devonshire Pullman dining train; steam and diesel footplate experience courses; miniature railway. Trains operate year-round (selected days).Selected features: rail museum, station cafe, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, wheelchair access.

Nestled in the Isle of Purbeck on Britain's Jurrasic coast, this 6 mi/10 km standard gauge preserved steam railway connects the seaside resort of Swanage with a string of inland stations. Highlights include Wessex Belle dinner excusions; and driver experience courses. Trains operate seasonally year-round. Selected features: rail museum, station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shops, online ticketing, wheelchair access.

This remarkable rebuilt railway replicates long-lost standard gauge service that once followed its identical route. The painstaking reconstruction features replica rail bridge and loco shed. Highlights include steam runs on selected days; driving experiences. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: rail museum, station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, online ticketing.

England's longest heritage railway meanders the Bristol Channel Coast and skirts the Quantock Hills linking ten separate hamlets along its 23 mi/37 km course. Highlights include steam engineman courses. Trains operate seasonally year-round. Selected features: rail museum, onboard buffet services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, wheelchair access.

A popular addition to the Amerton Farm & Crafts Centre, this circa 1890 narrow gauge railway is home to a vintage steam engine affectionately nicknamed "Isabel." Highlights include farm attractions and children's activities. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: cafe/snack services (on farm grounds), holiday/event excursions.

A treat for visitors and a practical transport option for residents, England's last remaining inland funicular railroad scales the 111 ft / 34 m sandstone cliffs that separate Bridgenorth's High Town from its Low Town and the River Severn. Trains operate year-round.

This former coillery railway's 2 mi/3 km roundtrip along Chasewater shores is popular with visitors to its namesake country park. Highlights include footplate and driving courses. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions, train charters.

Built to haul sand and stone, these days "The Railway in the Valley" treats passengers to a 5 mi/8 km trip through ancient woodland, abundant with wildlife. Highlights include dining train; footplate and driver experience courses. Trains operate year-round (selected days; no trains in January). Selected features: station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, wheelchair access (some restrictions).

This one-time coal-hauling railway crosses open moorland and steep forest hills on its 5.5 mi/9 km run. Highlights include Real Ale Trains; driving experiences; extensive locomotive/rolling stock collection. Trains operate year-round (selected days; no trains in January). Selected features: station cafe, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop.

Among the UK's best known preservation railroads, standard-gauge steam-hauled trains course an inviting 16 mi/26 km stretch along the banks of the River Severn. Highlights include luncheon and murder mystery dinner trains; cream tea specials; footplate experiences. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: rail museum, station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, online ticketing, wheelchair access (some restrictions).

A roster of vintage trains make runs of between 7 mi/11 km and 15 mi/24 km in distance -- all within the confines of the Corus Steelworks. highlights include loco shed visits; winter tours by coal-heated open brakevan; footplate experience days. trains operate year-round (infrequent schedule). Selected features: onboard and station cafe/snack services, train charters, gift shop, gift certificates, online ticketing, wheelchair access (some restrictions).

The upland pastures of the picturesque Yorkshire Dales provide a bucolic setting for this 4 mi/6 km preservation line. Highlights include the award-winning, newly reconstructed Bolton Abbey Station and Stately Trains series of summer heritage runs. Trains operate year-round (selected days). Selected features: rail museum, station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shops, wheelchair access.

Named "one of Britain's 10 best train trips" by The Sunday Times, this classic steam railway's 5 mi/8 km length cuts through the heart of Brontë Country. Highlights include dining trains; behind the scenes guided tours. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: rail museum, station buffet services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, limited wheelchair access.

In continuous operation since 1758, and first to employ steam power in 1812, the world's oldest railway in continuous operation treats visitors to a 1 mi/1.5 km heritage run. HIghlights include restored engine house. Trains operate seasonally.Selected features: rail museum, holiday/event excursions.

Among the UK's oldest, this circa1836 steam railway operates along an 18 mi/29 km stretch through wooded valleys and heather moorlands of the North York Moors National Park. Highlights include Pullman Diner runs and footplate courses. Trains operate seasonally. Selected features: station cafe services, holiday/event excursions, train charters, gift shop, gift certificates, wheelchair access (some restrictions).

Extending through 73 mi/117 km of Yorkshire Dales and Cumbrian Fells, "England's most scenic railway" doubles as part of the National Railway network. Highlights include castles, viaducts and tunnels. Trains operate year-round. Selected features: station cafe services, train charters, gift shops, limited wheelchair access.