Heritage Activity Days at Wensleydale Railway

Wensleydale Railway announces heritage activities and savings for families and visitors this summer.

Wensleydale Railway is once again offering a range of family-focused heritage activities and opportunities for customers to enjoy a great value day out on its volunteer-led railway this summer.

The railway will be operating 5 days of trains per week during the entire school holiday period and its ‘Heritage Summer’ activity days are back every Wednesday in August to keep the children entertained. Scruton Station will also be open on Wednesdays in August and guided tours available of this beautifully restored Edwardian station.

The first heritage-themed event will be a special engineering themed day called ‘Engines up Close’ on 6 August. Guided tours of the shed will be available plus the chance to see a steam locomotive being rebuilt, look at a miniature working steam engine and an opportunity to hop inside a real shunter cab! The tours will last approximately 30-40 minutes and will run at 10:30am, 11:30am, and 12:45pm. Children's tickets are £6 (this includes the kids for a quid travel offer), and adult entry is free with a valid train ticket. There is limited availability for this event, so advanced booking is advised.

On 13th August, children can put their sleuthing skills to the test with the ‘Railway Detectives’ event! Grab your activity sheet and travel between Leeming Bar, Leyburn, and Scruton to uncover clues and deliver a mystery parcel to its final destination. This self-guided adventure is perfect for families so keep your eyes peeled and your thinking caps on! This activity will run from 10:00am until 3:00pm and is free with your train ticket, no need to prebook just turn up and join the case!

Step back in time on 20th August at the ‘Wash Day’ event and experience laundry the 1920s way! Join the costumed history volunteers at Leeming Bar Station House for a washing drop in where you'll grate the soap, beat the carpets and see a vintage mangle in action! Ideal for both inquisitive kids and nostalgic grown-ups alike. Visit the Station House kitchen and washroom anytime between 10:00am and 3:00pm for this free activity.

The final event will be a Teddy Bears’ Picnic on 27th August. Bring your favourite teddy and join the volunteers for a bear hunt between Leeming Bar and Scruton Stations. Enjoy face painting, music and badge making too! The picnic is running from 11:00am until 3:00pm. Children's tickets are £6 (this includes the kids for a quid travel offer), and adult entry is free with a valid train ticket. The railway recommends that you bring your own picnic food to make the most of the day!

History lovers, why not step back in time with an informative tour by costumed living history interpreter volunteers and learn about rural railway life in the early 1900s! Complimentary guided tours of the award-winning, restored Leeming Bar Station House are available on train operating days and tours of Scruton station will take place on Wednesdays in August. The railway suggests that visitors arrive at Leeming Bar 1-hour before their planned train departure time, in order to enjoy the station building tour and have time for a cuppa and snack from the buffet car!

Nick Keegan, Marketing and Fundraising Manager at Wensleydale Railway said:

“Looking for a fun and affordable family day out during the school holidays? We’ve got you covered!  In addition to our entertaining and informative heritage-themed children’s activities, our kids for a quid travel offer means that children aged 3-15 can travel for only £1 on our trains with a full-paying adult!

Local residents’ can also enjoy a 25% discount on their travel. If you live in Postcodes DL6 to DL11 inclusive and YO7 and HG4, just show our ticket office a document with your postcode details on it (such as a driver’s licence or utility bill) at the time of booking. Our kids for a quid and local residents’ travel offers can be combined and are valid all year round, making a visit to our volunteer-led community railway a great value day out for everyone!”

Heritage Summer activities information and tickets: https://wensleydale-railway.co.uk/heritage-summer/

Regular train services and tickets: https://wensleydale-railway.co.uk/running-days-2025/