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Steam Railways & Boat Trips in Leicester
Steam and water make a good pair round here. Great Central Railway in Loughborough runs steam or heritage diesel trains between four vintage stations, from £13, with tea rooms along the platforms. A longer trip out to Ruddington brings you to Nottingham Heritage Railway, free to get in, with steam and diesel trains and a miniature railway alongside a working bus depot. Closer to home, Foxton Locks near Market Harborough is free to walk round, with optional short canal cruises at weekends from spring to October. For toddlers, the flat trains and platforms at Great Central Railway are easy going, and Foxton Locks suits a wander without spending anything. If you fancy being the skipper, Ashby Boat Company in Nuneaton hires narrowboats for a lock-free stretch of the Ashby Canal, and Rose Narrowboats in Rugby will take a group of up to twelve for the day. For a sit-down cruise instead, Princess River Cruises in Colwick offers a heated boat on the Trent with a meal included, from £23.95.
10 places 4 free to visit
Ashby Boat Company
Nuneaton
Hire a narrowboat and pilot it yourselves along the Ashby Canal, a stretch with no locks to fumble with.
FreeCoventry Canal Basin
Coventry
A free wander along the towpath and old canal buildings, good for stretching legs without spending a penny.
ParkingToilets
FreeFoxton Locks
Market Harborough
Free walk around Britain's longest staircase locks - optional short canal cruises at weekends from spring to October.
ToiletsAccessible toiletBlue badge parkingCafé+6 more
from £13Great Central Railway
Loughborough · ages 0+
Hop between four vintage stations on a steam or heritage diesel train, with museums and tea rooms to explore along the platforms.
ToiletsCaféFood on sitePicnic area+7 more
FreeGreat Central Railway (Nottingham)
Nottingham
Free site entry, £3 parking and a flat, buggy-friendly 25-acre site with steam trains, old buses, mini railway rides and a dog-friendly café.
Baby changeBike parkingBlue badge parkingCafé+13 more
from £4Nene Valley Railway - (Wansford, Station)
Peterborough · ages 1-15
Steam and diesel trains along the Nene Valley, with a miniature railway, playground and museum to fill the gaps between departures.
Accessible toiletBaby changeDog friendlyFree parking+5 more
from £7.50Northampton & Lamport Railway
Northampton · ages 2-17
A heritage steam or diesel train ride out to Boughton and back, with a buffet and shop at the home station.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+4 more
FreeNottingham Heritage Railway
Ruddington
Steam and diesel trains, a miniature railway and a working bus depot to explore near Ruddington.
ParkingToiletsCaféGift shop+1 more
from £23.95Princess River Cruises
Colwick
Cruise the Trent on a heated river boat with live commentary, a companion map and a sit-down meal.
Free parkingToiletsBirthday partiesGroup bookings
Rose Narrowboats Ltd
Rugby
Take the wheel of your own narrowboat for a weekend, a week or a whole season, or gather a group of up to twelve for a day out on the water.
Booking requiredGroup bookings
Good to know: steam railways & boat trips in Leicester
Are any of them free?
Yes, Coventry Canal Basin, Foxton Locks, Great Central Railway (Nottingham) and Nottingham Heritage Railway are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £4 at Nene Valley Railway - (Wansford, Station). 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 Nuneaton, Coventry, Market Harborough, Loughborough, Nottingham and 5 more. Every place we list is in or around Leicester, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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