Nottingham Heritage Railway
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Ruddington
What it’s like
Steam and diesel trains, a miniature railway and a working bus depot to explore near Ruddington.
The main event is the train ride itself, heritage steam or diesel locomotives pulling you out through the Nottinghamshire countryside. It only runs on selected open days though, so this isn't one to turn up to on a whim and expect a train waiting. Check which day you're going for before you set off.
Beyond the ride there's a fair bit to fill an afternoon. The bus depot has historic Nottingham buses and coaches to poke round, there's a model railway exhibition, and a miniature railway with 5 inch and 7.25 inch gauge tracks, though that one only operates on Sundays. There's a playground too if the little ones need a break from looking at trains and buses.
Site entry is free and you pay for the train ride on the day at the booking office, no need to book ahead for standard running days. Adult return is £15, and on selected family events, usually half-terms and bank holidays, kids go for £1 return, which is worth timing your visit around if you can. Parking's £3, paid by RingGo or at the booking office. The whole site is flat and step-free, with ramps onto the trains, so it works well with a buggy or a wheelchair.
Give it a proper 3 to 4 hours, though the site reckons people easily lose a full day here between the trains, the buses and the model displays. Bring a picnic if you fancy it, there are designated areas dotted round the site. The café's currently shut for a makeover, so don't plan your visit around a hot lunch there for now.
Facilities
Need to know
- Booking
- Train tickets can be purchased on the day at the booking office for standard running days
- Parking
- £3 per vehicle, paid via RingGo app or at booking office
- How long to allow
- At least 3–4 hours, though many visitors easily spend a full day
- Food
- Heritage Café serving hot and cold drinks, light lunches and homemade cakes
- Picnics
- Designated picnic areas across the site
- Wheelchairs
- Entire site is flat and step-free, platform is wheelchair accessible, trains fitted with disabled access ramps
- Dogs
- Pre-booked dogs welcome on board trains (maximum one per train, must be kept off seats)
- Getting there by bus or train
- Regular bus services from Nottingham city centre to Ruddington village, 15-minute walk to the centre
- Prices shift by event as it's volunteer-run, so flagship days with guest engines cost more
- Miniature railway is Sundays only, so a Saturday visit means you'll miss that bit
- Café's closed for a makeover at the moment, so bring a picnic instead
- There's a 15-minute walk from Ruddington village if you're coming by bus rather than driving
- Cycle parking is on site if you fancy pedalling over
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Site entry is free. An adult return train ticket is £15, and parking is £3 per vehicle.
Is there a cheaper ticket for kids?
Children go for £1 return, but only on selected family-focused events, usually half-terms and bank holidays. The event listing will say if it applies.
Do we need to book train tickets in advance?
No, you can buy them on the day at the booking office for standard running days. Some special events or dining experiences do need advance booking.
When do the trains actually run?
Only on selected open days, with times varying week to week, so it's not a daily service.
What about the miniature railway?
That one runs on Sundays only, on 5 inch and 7.25 inch gauge tracks.
How long should we plan for?
At least 3 to 4 hours. Plenty of visitors end up spending a full day between the trains, the bus depot and the model railway.
Is there parking on site?
£3 per vehicle, paid at the booking office or via RingGo, with dedicated disabled bays.
Can we bring our own food?
There are designated picnic areas across the site. The café normally does hot and cold drinks and light lunches but it's currently closed for a makeover.
Is it OK for a pushchair or wheelchair?
The whole site is flat and step-free, the platform is wheelchair accessible and the trains have disabled access ramps.
What if it rains?
The bus depot, museum and model railway exhibitions are all indoor, undercover spaces.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs can go on the train if pre-booked, one per train and kept off the seats. The café is dog-friendly too.
Is the railway open on bank holidays?
It typically opens over Easter, the early May bank holiday, spring bank holiday and summer bank holiday, usually 10am to 4pm.
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