The Jacobite Steam Train
Plying an 84-mile round trip route through the Scottish Highlands (current licensing woes willing), the Jacobite Steam Train starts at Fort William and skirts the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, and spectacular beaches on its way to Mallaig. For Harry Potter fans, the main event is its crossing of the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Hogwarts Express. Glenfinnan is also home to the imposing Jacobite monument, erected in 1815 to honour those who died fighting for the Stuart cause, and the train often stops at Glenfinnan station too, giving passengers a chance to visit its atmospheric Railway Museum. westcoastrailways.co.uk
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
If you’ve buffed up your knowledge of railway history with a visit to the National Railway Museum in York (railwaymuseum.org.uk), a ride on this nearby heritage line is the obvious next step. Steaming across the North York Moors National Park for 24 miles, it runs from Whitby to Pickering via open moorland and pretty village stations. With some ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ treasures among its collection of historic carriages, the interiors are as attractive as the passing views; as well as regular Pullman dining experiences and afternoon tea services, groups can charter its Great Western Saloon carriage in full. nymr.co.uk
Crich Tramway Village
As the directory of the Heritage Railway Association demonstrates, Britain is criss-crossed by a diverse network of small heritage railway operators (hra.uk.com). In a slight detour from the norm, however, Derbyshire’s Crich Tramway Village offers a chance to ride the rails on trams rather than trains. Using its collection of over 80 historic trams – from electric double-deckers dating from the early 1900s to older horse- and steam-hauled vehicles – visitors can travel back in time within a period village setting. The site is home to a working pub, café and sweet shop, while outlying stops take passengers out to a sculpture-lined woodland walk. tramway.co.uk
Vale of Rheidol Railway
There may be better-known heritage railways in Wales, but this small narrow-gauge line in Ceredigion is worth seeking out. The last steam railway owned by British Rail (until it was privatised in 1989), the line originally opened in 1902, to serve lead mines in the hills above Aberystwyth. Now, like so many local heritage railways, it’s run by a charitable trust and kept going with the help of a small band of dedicated volunteers. Journey along its 12 miles of track from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge and you can walk around the spectacular waterfalls at the latter, before heading back to the coast, keeping an eye out for red kites along the way. rheidolrailway.co.uk
East Somerset Railway
A great place to start if you’re new to heritage railway experiences (or have small children in tow who may not appreciate a longer journey), this pint-sized railway near Shepton Mallet celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Running for just under two miles, between Cranmore and Mendip Vale, a round-trip takes only 30 minutes, including a 10-minute stop at the end of the line. Enthusiastic volunteers and elegant old train carriages add to the atmosphere while the station itself is full of vintage charm, with the original ticket office now a museum. A smart new café and play area are also on site.
eastsomersetrailway.com
Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch
First opened in 1927, this railway is one-third full size, giving passengers a taste of Alice in Wonderland’s gigantic proportions after nibbling the ‘eat me’ cake. Shuttling visitors along the 13.5 miles of track between Hythe and Dungeness, in Kent, the railway offers an entertaining way to explore the otherworldly landscapes of Romney Marsh. Especially so at the end of the line, in Dungeness, where passengers disembark onto a wildlife-rich expanse of shingle, the low-lying vistas broken only by lighthouses, a few clapboard cottages (Derek Jarman’s cult former home and garden among them) and a nuclear power station. rhdr.org.uk
