Industrial, maritime and transport
Rides on steam railways can take you to the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution. As the thrilling shriek of the steam engine whisks you back through the decades, stunning countryside streaks past your window. Next, explore our industrial heritage at a perfectly preserved mill town or a fascinating mining village. Discover what made our island nation great at dockyards and maritime museums, as the kids clamber over 18th-century steam ships and 19th-century tea clippers resplendent in their restored glory. Don’t miss the transport museums and military air shows that showcase staggering feats of automotive and aeronautical engineering.
Experience life at sea aboard Brunel’s ss Great Britain
One of the world's most important ships brought to life for modern-day visitors.
Location: Bristol
Rainy Day Activities: Be an engine driver for the day at STEAM
Try your hand at changing the signals, drive a model steam engine and walk under an 80 ton train at STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway.
Location: Swindon, Wiltshire
Watch history come to life at Morwellham Quay in Devon
Take a living history lesson from the team at Morwellham Quay, a beautifully preserved Victorian village in the Devon countryside.
Location: Morwellham Quay, Devon
Explore Cornwall’s mining heritage
Sandy beaches, cream teas, ancient woodlands and innovative architecture make for a fascinating family day out in Camborne and Redruth.
Location: Cornwall
Ride with the driver on the Dartmouth Steam Railway
Enjoy a scenic steam train ride from Paignton to Dartmouth, with a twist.
Location: Paignton, Devon
Discover 2,000 years of history in Gloucester
Roman ruins, an Anglo-Saxon princess, a murdered king's tomb, one of the world's most majestic cathedrals and the UK's best preserved Victorian Docks.
Location: Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Travel back through the centuries on a coastal break in Dorset
Explore Dorset’s eclectic range of castles, country houses and forts and journey back in time on a steam train.
Location: Dorset
Plumb the depths of Plymouth's rich maritime history
Home to the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Army, Plymouth boasts an inspiring rich maritime heritage and is steeped in military history.
Location: Plymouth, Devon
Explore naval history at the Royal William Yard
Hop aboard the ferry and enjoy the stunning Plymouth coastline from the water to reach this cultural hotspot.
Location: Plymouth, Devon
Make the journey count on a trip to Scilly
Planning your journey to Scilly is where your adventure begins, because the only thing better than the destination is the journey.
Location: Isles of Scilly
Take an enchanting trip on the Dean Forest Railway
Experience the sights, sounds and the smell of traditional train travel on The Dean Forest Railway, a rural branch railway offering rides on steam trains and some heritage diesel services.
Location: Lydney, Gloucestershire
Take a trip through the Cotswolds on a steam railway
Sit back and relax as you explore the Cotswolds on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
Location: Toddington, Cotswolds