East Lancashire Railway - (Ramsbottom Station)
WHERE
Bury
What it’s like
A steam train ride out to Ramsbottom for duck spotting, woodland and a playground by the platform.
The train itself is the main event here, proper steam or heritage diesel, and Ramsbottom station is a good stop to aim for. There's a duck spotting trail nearby, some woodland to poke about in, and a playground right by the station so nobody has to sit still for long once you're off the train. The Irwell Sculpture Trail runs along the route too, which gives you something to point at from the window if the novelty of the train itself wears off after twenty minutes.
Parking at Ramsbottom is limited, and Summerseat station is worse again, so if you're driving it's easier to start from Bury Bolton Street where there's ample parking and work your way out from there. Food's covered well: platform cafés, on-board buffets, and a couple of heritage pubs, The Trackside and Buffer Stops, if the grown-ups fancy a pint while the kids finish their chips.
Access is worth knowing about before you go. The wheelchair toilets on the trains can't actually take a wheelchair, and the older 1950s coaches need you to climb steps to board, no way round that. There are wheelchair spaces in the accessible compartments with ramps, but mobility scooters aren't allowed and wheelchairs can't travel in the Guards Van or Dining Cars. Guide dogs are fine if you mention it when booking.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Limited free parking near Ramsbottom Station and other parking options around town centre
- Food
- On-board buffets, platform cafés including Rawtenstall Café with sandwiches and hot food, heritage pubs The Trackside and Buffer Stops bar
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair spaces in accessible compartments
- Dogs
- Guide dogs accommodated with prior mention during booking
- Ramsbottom parking is limited; Bury Bolton Street has ample parking if you'd rather start there
- Summerseat station parking is very tight, best avoided if you're driving
- The older 1950s coaches board via steps only, no wheelchair access
- Wheelchair toilets on board can't actually fit a wheelchair despite the name
Plan your visit
Is there parking at Ramsbottom station?
Only limited free parking near the station, plus some options in the town centre. If that's full, Bury Bolton Street has ample parking and you can start your day from there instead.
What is there for kids to do once we get off the train?
A duck spotting trail, some woodland to explore, and a playground right by the station. The Irwell Sculpture Trail runs alongside the route too.
Can we get food there?
Yes, on-board buffets, platform cafés like the one at Rawtenstall with sandwiches and hot food, and two heritage pubs, The Trackside and Buffer Stops, if you fancy a proper sit down.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There are wheelchair spaces with ramps in accessible compartments, but the ramps have a 250kg weight limit and mobility scooters aren't allowed. Wheelchairs can't travel in the Guards Van or Dining Cars, and the older 1950s coaches only board via steps.
Can we bring a dog?
Guide dogs are accommodated if you mention it when booking.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's no booking link listed, so it's best to just check what suits your visit on the day.
Is Summerseat station a good place to park instead?
Not really, parking there is very limited, more so than at Ramsbottom.
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