Want to treat your kids to a day out they’ll remember forever? Then book ahead for one of these great half term train adventures
The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
Seaside fans will love a trip on the famous Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. The 13 ½ mile line runs from Hythe via Dymchurch, St Mary’s Bay, New Romney and Romney Sands to Dungeness (home of the famous Power Station and Lighthouse). During Half Term families can depart from Hythe Station at 11am and take the train to Dungeness. Here, they’ll be able to enjoy a 56-minite break before rerunning to Hythe at 1pm.
Why kids will love it: This is one of the cutest trains in the UK.
What’s the cost? An adult ticket costs £19; a child’s ticket (3-15) is £9.50; children under 3 travel free.
The Severn Valley Railway
A trip on the Severn Valley Railway is the ideal half term day out. This 16-mile long heritage train based in the Midlands offers customers the chance to travel through beautiful English countryside on board some fantastic vintage steam and diesel trains. The Severn Valley Railway is a full-size standard-gauge railway that takes passengers between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire.
During half term families will have the chance to travel on five specially tailored trips including The Flyer, a steam train that will travel from Kidderminster to the Engine House and Bridgnorth and The Adventurer, another Steam Train, that will take passengers from Bridgnorth to Bewdley or Kidderminster and The Engine House.
Why kids will love it: As well as travelling on some of the best kept steam trains in England they will also enjoy a trip to the Engine Room where they can find out the wonderful history of steam trains.
What’s the cost? You will need to reserve a compartment for your family. This costs £75 for up to six people.
The Bure Valley Railway
If you and your family are visiting Norfolk this half term (or if you live nearby) don’t miss the chance to take a ride on the Bure Valley Railway. During Half Term kids get to travel free on this historic train journey. This is Norfolk’s longest narrow-gauge railway and it runs between the busy market towns of Aylsham and Wroxham in the Norfolk Broads. The 18-mile trip runs through the picturesque Bure valley and travels through the charming villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall. You can start your journey from either station.
Why kids will love it: The Bure Valley Railway boasts some of the best vintage steam trains in the country and the staff love to show off the trains to the kids.
What’s the cost? This October Half Term kids go free with a full return fare paying adult. The fare is for a maximum 2 children per adult. Kids are aged between 0 and 15 and an adult return fare is £14.50.
The London Transport Museum
If you or your family have never visited the London Transport Museum in London’s Covent Garden, Half Term is the perfect time to go. Unlike other drearier museums, here you’re actively encouraged to climb aboard and into many of the exhibits. Train fans (and mini train fans) will love exploring London Transport’s famous tube trains. And the really good news is that kids under 17 are admitted free to the museum all year round. You can also see even more vintage trains at the Museum’s Acton Depot.
Why kids will love it: It’s a really hands-on museum and there’s plenty of interactive things to do and see.
What’s the cost? Adult tickets are £17.50 and kids under 17 go free. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult.
The Ffestiniog Railway
Have you got a child who loves history? Then they’ll love taking a ride on the famous Ffestiniog Railway in Wales. Passengers can take a 13 ½ mile ride from the harbour in Porthmadog to the quarry town of Blaenau Ffestiniog on the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway. On the journey you’ll climb over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains passing through tight bends clinging to the side of the mountain or tunnelling through it.
Why kids will love it: The Ffestiniog Railway boasts some of the greatest steam trains in Wales and they will love seeing how old trains climbed up steep hills.
What’s the cost? You will need to reserve a compartment on the train. This costs £50 for a maximum of six passengers.