Treat your kids to some fang-tastic family fun on some of Britain’s best-loved railways. Here are the best Halloween train trips the kids will love
The Audley End Miniature Railway
Your little rug rats will love a Halloween train trip on the Audley End Miniature Railway in Essex. The family-focused line offers trips on their miniature railway together with their popular Enchanted Fairy and Elf Walk.
Their Halloween Special is a one-way immersive special. Kids are invited to get dressed up for the day and after their spooky train ride to meet the witches and their pumpkin friends they will get to meet Herbert, the talking haunted house and meet William, the Woodland Wizard for an interactive show.
Why kids will love it: They are actively encouraged to get dressed up in their favourite Halloween costumes.
Dates: 24, 25, 26 October
What’s the cost? An adult ticket costs £15; a child’s ticket is £15 (this includes a gift); children under 92cm; £7.50; children under 1 travel free
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Two of Yorkshire’s best tourist attractions – the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Whitby Abbey have teamed up to offer families a fantastic Halloween inspired day out.
Between Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November you can treat your kids to a trip on a heritage steam train journey on board NYMR’s Optimist service. Two daily services will travel from Pickering to Whitby. Hop off in Whitby for some Halloween fun including a creepy trail. All the family are encouraged to dress up in their best Halloween customes and if you share a #spookyselfie of your trip and tag both attractions you could win a free family pass to revisit both destinations next year.
Why kids will love it: Two major attractions in a day will keep them occupied and they’ get to dress up in their finest Halloween gear too.
Dates: 24 October to 1 November
What’s the cost? A family ticket (2 adults & 2 children) costs £72
Why kids will love it: Trains, Harry Potter, dressing up. What’s not to love?
Dates: 24, 25, 30, 31 October; 1 November
What’s the cost? See www.watercressline.co.uk for details
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Treat to kids to a Halloween Fright Night Extravaganza on board a train on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Before they board, they can take the terrifying treasure hunt trail and explore the grounds before settling down on the steam train where a crafty witch will be dealing out treats and tricks and they’ll get to take a journey through some decidedly haunted woodland.
Why kids will love it: This is a full-on Halloween affair with a treasure hunt and spooky rail journey thrown in.
Dates: 27-30 October
What’s the cost? Adults, £13.50; children, £6.50; Family ticket (2 adults; 2 children), £33
Severn Valley Railway
Fancy a spooky family night out? Then step aboard one of Severn Valley Railway’s special ghost trains to celebrate Halloween. Guests will get on the train at Kidderminster Station before making their way along the dark platform to find their spooky compartment. With fancy dress contests and face painting on board there’s a lot to do but you might find that things that go bump in the night are not just outside the windows…
Why kids will love it: Dark trains, spooky witches and things that go bump in the night….
Dates: 29, 30, 31 October; departures at 6.20pm, 7.10pm and 8pm
What’s the cost? Compartment for six, £90; compartment for 4, £60; children under two travel for free
Bure Valley Railway
Bure Valley Railway in Norfolk is offering some Halloween fun for younger children on their special Spooky Express. There’s a competition to see how many spooky items you can spot on the train journey and a special colouring corner too.
Why kids will love it: Halloween is the theme but it’s not too scary for little ones.
Dates: October 25- 2 November
What’s the cost? £12.50 adult return, with up for two children free with a fare-paying adult