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Steam Railways & Boat Trips in Sheffield

In the city itself, boat trips mean water rather than steam. A&G Passenger Boats cruise Sheffield's waterways with a sit-down meal on board, from pie and peas to a full three-course dinner, from £27.95. Out on the towpath, The Looping Boat "The Industry" is a free bit of public art, a boat frozen mid-loop, worth ten minutes on your way past. For proper steam and diesel, it is a drive out to Derbyshire: Peak Rail runs between Rowsley South and Matlock in Darley Dale from £8.50, and Midland Railway Butterley in Ripley has a museum and playground alongside the trains, from £10. For toddlers, Peak Rail's picnic area and baby change help, and under 16s travel free with a paying adult. Older children might prefer Ecclesbourne Valley Railway out at Wirksworth, with its model railway carriage and picnic stops through the countryside. For canal trips with commentary, Birdswood Canal Boat sails to the Leawood Pump House from Matlock at £23 a head, or go further for Standedge Tunnel in Huddersfield, a longer trip for a boat ride through Britain's longest canal tunnel followed by tea and cake.

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