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National Railway Museum – York

The National Railway Museum is the world’s largest railway museum and neighbour to The Yorkshire Wheel. It offers a fantastic experience for train buffs and excited children alike.

Enormously interactive and hands-on, the museum has everything from Stephenson’s Rocket to the only Bullet train to be found outside of Japan. Mallard, the world’s fastest steam locomotive, is also here, along with all sorts of brightly-painted engines, many of which encircle the full-size railway turntable at the back of the Grand Hall. There’s also an inspection pit so children can discover how trains work from beneath.

Elsewhere, from a vast viewing platform, The Works gives you the chance to see the guts of trains and how they are repaired whilst another area contains a fascinating collection of signs, advertisements and other railway paraphernalia from a bygone age. There’s even a railway-themed playground where youngsters can let off steam. Two café areas offer smoothies, cookies, coffee and sandwiches alongside picnic boxes for kids but ultimately this is a vast open plan area chock full of trains. It’s fabulous!

Adventure Details

• Opening times: Open daily 10:00 - 18:00. Closed 24 - 26 December inclusive.
• Admission prices: Free.