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Steam Railways & Boat Trips in Bristol
Bristol's harbour does a lot of the work here. The Matthew, a free-to-board replica of John Cabot's 15th-century ship, sits about a kilometre from the centre alongside MV Balmoral, where kids can take the wheel as captain for a bit. Bristol Packet Boat Trips run slow loops round the docks past the SS Great Britain, with pub lunches and cream teas if you want to make an afternoon of it. Underfall Yard is a free wander round a working dock engineering yard, hydraulic pumps and all. For steam trains proper, it's a longer trip out to Dean Forest Railway at Lydney or East Somerset Railway at Shepton Mallet, both from £9, the latter with a play area for anyone who tires of sitting still. Train-mad toddlers are just as happy watching GWR services come and go free from the concourse at Bath Spa. For something slower and hands-on, Bath Boating Station lets you row or punt the Avon yourself, and Fourteen Locks Canal Centre out at Newport puts you on a real working boat through the locks for a couple of quid.
14 places 3 upcoming events 3 free to visit
What's on: steam railways & boat trips
Places for steam railways & boat trips
Bath Boating Station
Bath
Row, punt or canoe down the River Avon, then spread a picnic on the lawns while you dry off.
Food on sitePicnics allowed
Bath Spa
Bath
A working railway station where train-mad kids can watch the GWR trains come and go from the concourse for free.
Bike parkingHearing loopStep-free accessToilets+1 more
BEESES
Bristol
A riverside bar and kitchen that opens for the season with a food stall lineup that reads like a world tour, plus the odd family event.
Bloomsbury Canal Boat holidays
Bath
Hire a canal boat for the week and learn to steer it yourself, exploring Bath and the Somerset waterways at walking pace.
Food on site
Bristol Packet Boat Trips
Bristol
A slow boat round the docks past the SS Great Britain, with pub lunches and cream teas laid on if you fancy making a proper afternoon of it.
Food on sitePublic transport nearbyToilets
from £4Cardiff Boat Tours, Ltd
Cardiff · ages 3+
A boat trip round Cardiff Bay and the city centre, either a one-way hop or a full hour staying on board.
from £9Dean Forest Railway (Norchard Station)
Lydney
A nine mile round trip through the Forest of Dean on a steam train, with stops to hop out and take photos.
CaféDog friendlyFree parkingGift shop+4 more
from £9East Somerset Railway
Shepton Mallet
A 2.5 mile steam train ride through Mendip countryside, plus an engine shed, signal box and a play area for the ones who get bored of sitting still.
Allergy awareBlue badge parkingCaféDog friendly+10 more
from £2.50Fourteen Locks Canal Centre
Newport
Hop on a real working boat through the locks, then eat your way round an activity trail for a couple of quid.
Dog friendlyGift shopParkingSchool visits+1 more
FreeMV Balmoral
Bristol
Wander a real ship in Bristol, make a paper sailboat on board and let the kids take the wheel as captain for a bit.
CaféGift shop
FreeThe Matthew of Bristol
Bristol · ages 0-16
A free-to-board 15th-century replica ship in the harbour, with paid trips out onto the water including fish and chips cruises.
Allergy awareBooking requiredCash onlyDog friendly+6 more
from £19.50The Roman Baths
Bath · ages 6-18
Steamy Roman ruins with a free Michael Rosen audioguide, best for kids six and up who can handle steps and a slow walk round.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingBooking required+5 more
FreeUnderfall Yard
Bristol
Free look round a working dock engineering yard, with hydraulic pumps and a drum you can climb into.
CaféToilets
from £7Wye Valley Cruises
West · ages 2+
A 40-minute river cruise on the Wye, no booking needed, with chips and ice cream after.
Indoor seatingFood on site
Good to know: steam railways & boat trips in Bristol
Are any of them free?
Yes, MV Balmoral, The Matthew of Bristol and Underfall Yard are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £2.50 at Fourteen Locks Canal Centre. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find steam railways & boat trips in Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Lydney, Shepton Mallet and 2 more. Every place we list is in or around Bristol, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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