Great Central Railway
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
ENTRY
from £13
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Loughborough
What it’s like
Hop between four vintage stations on a steam or heritage diesel train, with museums and tea rooms to explore along the platforms.
The big draw here is the train itself, a proper steam or heritage diesel locomotive pulling you between Loughborough Central, Quorn & Woodhouse, Rothley and Leicester North. Kids get a free activity pack from the booking office to keep them busy between stops, and there's a Railway Museum plus a working Engine Shed to poke around on special days. The vintage shop and period waiting rooms give the younger ones something to gawp at even before the train's pulled in.
It suits any age really, from babies in arms to older kids who'll want to know exactly which locomotive is pulling that day. Sample itineraries on the site suggest 2-3 hours if you're just exploring a station and taking one ride, or 4-6 hours if you want to make a proper day of riding the whole line. Loughborough is open every day from 10 to 4; the other three stations only run at weekends, so a weekday trip means your options narrow to Loughborough itself.
Food's spread across the line: platform tea rooms at every station, the Butler Henderson café and a wartime NAAFI at Quorn, and on-train dining in a 1960s Griddle or Refreshment car if you fancy eating while the countryside goes past. Just don't expect the trains themselves to feel like modern rolling stock, corridors are narrow and compartment seating is the norm rather than open carriages.
Booking is required, and it's worth knowing that under-fives, including babes in arms, aren't allowed on the first-class dining services. Dogs can come too, £3 a head and free on regular services if you book ahead. There are Relaxed Running Days on selected Thursdays with fewer visitors and extra staff support if that suits your family better.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- No minimum age; toddlers to older kids who love trains all get something here
- Food
- Multiple cafés at stations (Platform Café at Loughborough, Butler Henderson at Quorn, Ellis's at Rothley
- Wheelchairs
- Accessible carriages on trains with ramps
- Dogs
- Welcome. £3 per dog
- Getting there by bus or train
- 154 Centre Bus serves Quorn & Woodhouse
- The Locomotive Shed floor is oily with an ash path leading to it, so it'll dirty prams and wheelchair wheels
- Coal smoke and diesel fumes are part of the experience, worth knowing if anyone's got a sensitive chest
- Griddle and Buffet cars on the trains don't have wheelchair access even where the rest of the train does
- The 154 Centre Bus stops at Quorn & Woodhouse if you fancy arriving without the car
Plan your visit
Do we need to book?
Booking is required, and the site has an online link for it.
How long should we plan for?
A couple of hours covers exploring one station and a ride. Riding the whole line and making a day of it runs more like 4 to 6 hours.
Are all the stations open every day?
Loughborough Central runs daily 10 to 4. Quorn & Woodhouse, Rothley and Leicester North only operate at weekends.
Can babies and toddlers come?
There's no minimum age for riding the train itself, but under-fives, including babes in arms, can't travel on the first-class dining services.
What's there for kids to do besides the ride?
Free activity packs from the booking offices, a Railway Museum, vintage shop and period waiting rooms to look round, plus the working Engine Shed on special days.
What food is available?
Platform tea rooms at each station, the Butler Henderson café and NAAFI tea room at Quorn, and on-train dining in a 1960s Griddle or Refreshment car.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Trains have accessible carriages with ramps, all stations have accessible toilets, and Loughborough has a lift while the others use ramps. Heritage carriages still have narrow corridors, so it's best to call the Loughborough Booking Office in advance to check what's running that day.
Are there discounts for disabled visitors?
Registered disabled visitors get a reduced fare, and an accompanying Essential Carer can get an £8 ticket by showing proof at the Booking Office; that one can't be bought online.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are welcome for £3 each and travel free on regular services, though booking ahead is needed for some services.
What about allergies?
You can ask to see the Allergen Information File before booking, and the on-train dining team will talk you through dishes, though all food is prepared where gluten and nuts are present.
Is there a quieter option for sensory needs?
Relaxed Running Days run on selected Thursdays with reduced visitor numbers and extra staff support.
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