Railways

Steam your way through South Oxfordshire

If you want to take the children back in time, and experience what rail travel was like from the late Victorian era to the mid 50s, then visit one of South Oxfordshire's three railways.

You can enjoy a ride on one of their many diesel and steam trains, as well as exploring different carriages and wagons. Children can get up close to trains in the engine sheds or while under repair in the locomotive works.

As well as historic steam trains, famous engines make their appearance at certain times throughout the year - Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends regularly pop into Didcot Railway Centre, and Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway.

After enjoying a train ride and exploring the engine sheds, grab a bite to eat in the on-platform buffet in a 1890s 'Cumbrian' coach at Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway or enjoy a picnic with full view of the trains passing. For special occasions, dine in the luxury of Didcot's 1930s saloon carriages whilst being hauled by a steam locomotive!

There is something captivating about miniature models whatever your age may be. So, if you or the children are miniature fans, don't miss the Pendon Museum, where detailed and colour miniatures show scenes of the English countryside in 1930, complete with convoys of trains, cottages, farms and fields will fascinate you.