British Food and Travel

British Food and Travel has been on a train kick lately. After exploring ways of exploring the Scottish highlands by rail and steam train days out in Wales, we now turn our attention to England. Below are just a few of the many options for a fun steam train ride in England.

Dartmouth Steam Railway

With the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Why should you have to choose between a boat trip and a steam train? Even better – add in a river cruise and a bus ride with the Round Robin ticket and you are set for an entire day of travelling fun!

The railway lines in this part of Devon date back to the 1840s because this part of the country has always been a popular destination spot. And if some of their steam locomotives look familiar, you’re not wrong. They have featured in a number of films and TV programmes, including multiple Agatha Christie adaptations and Michael Portillo’s Great Railway Journeys. The ride runs between Paignton and Kingswear, stopping at Goodrington, Churston, and Greenway Halt along the way. The opportunities for spotting wildlife along the way are plentiful so get the camera ready for an abundance of bird life, not to mention dolphins and seals.

Upon arrival in Kingswear, hop aboard the passenger ferry (included in your train ticket) and be carried across to Dartmouth, where your ticket will also get you a 20% discount off admission to Dartmouth Castle. Or add a river cruise or paddle steamer trip to your agenda.

Trains and boats run throughout the year, although some may operate on a reduced schedule in winter or when the weather is bad. Their website has lots of helpful information or call them and they will be happy to assist you in planning your day out.

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is proud to be Derbyshire’s longest heritage railway with steam and diesel trains running between Duffield and Wirksworth in the Peak District.

Midland Railway opened the line in 1867, and like so many of its kind, its purpose was to transport coal. But as technology advanced, it was quickly eclipsed by other larger railway lines. Passenger service continued until 1947 when so many rural lines were closed in favour of local bus routes. Eventually, the railway fell into disrepair, the lines heavily overgrown. After careful restoration, te Ecclesbourne Valley Railway has been open to visitors since 2011.

The 9-mile journey from Duffield to Wirksworth offers stops at several stations along the way, or you can enjoy afternoon tea during the ride. The truly adventurous can continue from Wirksworth to the next station of Ravenstor. It’s just an extra half a mile but includes a climb up a 1 in 27 incline. From Ravenstor, it is just a short distance to several local attractions – Black Rocks, Middleton Top, or even another railway!

Trains run during spring half-term and from March until the end of October, with additional special events at various times throughout the year. Children can meet Santa aboard one of the festive train rides in December while a series of Shottle Specials are operating at weekends in November.

Swanage Railway

Enid Blyton fans who might be exploring Dorset will want to make time for a trip on the Swanage Railway with its access to Corfe Castle.

The Swanage Railway dates back to the 1880s when local businessmen finally got permission to build a small branch line from Swanage to Wareham. They had been trying to do this since 1847 when the main Southampton to Dorchester line opened. The first train ran in 1885 and soon it was transporting clay and quarried stone. The line also changed the fortunes of Swanage; now that it was easily reachable by train it switched from a sleepy fishing town to a local seaside resort. During World War II, the area saw in influx of soldiers training for the D-Day invasions. But after the war, the rising popularity of the car saw the decline in railway use and by 1972 the branch line was no longer in use. Luckily, dedicated locals and volunteers stepped in to save the day.

Today, steam trains make the 25-minute six-mile journey from Swanage to Norden, home of the Purbeck Mining Museum. Along the way, it also makes stops at Harman’s Cross and Corfe Castle. Combination tickets to include entry to the Corfe Model Village are available.

Train run throughout the year. For a small additional fee, enjoy a seat in the observation car, which offers even more opportunities to enjoy the scenery. Alternatively, buy a combined ticket which also includes a boat cruise around Poole Harbour. Special events include musical rides, a beer gala, historic days, and, of course, the Santa Special. The dining car offers four course Sunday lunch excursions, an evening bistro, or an afternoon tea ride.

The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway

We think of hiking or boating as the usual ways to see the Lake District, but the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway offers a refreshing change of pace.

Situated at the southern end of Windermere and originally known as the Furness Railway, built to haul coal and iron ore during the Industrial Revolution. But even back in the 1850s, the Lake District was a popular tourist destination and so railway bosses quickly saw that the line had other potential. Daytrippers would ride in from Lancaster and Carlisle to enjoy the country air.

Within a few decades though, the mining industry in the region started its decline and water transport took over for industrial uses. Fortunately, the switch to being a dedicated passenger service was an easy one and holidaymakers kept the line busy all the way through to the 1950s. Bought in the 1960s by some local businessmen, the railway was going to be scrapped but they took one last ride to film the golden age of steam. It occurred to them that this piece of history could be kept alive. After various setbacks, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway reopened in 1973.

Steam trains run during spring half term week in February, and from the end of March until the end of October. Santa Specials run on weekends in December. Even when the trains aren’t running, the Winter Warmer menu is available in the Haverthwaite Tea Room. Trains run between Haverthwaite and Lakeside, and you can then connect with a steamer to continue your local adventure.

The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway

The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, known by locals as Middy, is the only remaining standard gauge heritage railway in the county. Like so many of the UK’s steam trains, it has quite a history behind it. Middy was, as the song goes, born too late.

The plan behind the railway made excellent sense. Central Suffolk was full of thriving farming communities. However, there was little way to connect them with each other or with the bigger market towns. The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway was approved as part of the government’s Light Railway Act, aimed at bringing railways to areas that could benefit. But from the beginning, it faced one setback after another. Some lines were never completed, and by the time it opened, Middy already faced bankruptcy. It was absorbed into National Railways in 1948 but the line closed just four years later.

Lucky for us, preservation efforts in the 1990s led to a full restoration. Visitors can enjoy a ride, tour the sheds and the workshop, and sip a pint at the Kitchener Arms.

Since volunteers operate the MSLR, it is only open at limited times, typically Sundays throughout the summer and Bank Holidays. There are also special events such as the Santa Special and rides on New Year’s Day and Easter. All trains depart from Brockford Station, about 14 miles from Ipswich.