East Lancashire Railway

The East Lancashire Railway is a 12-mile heritage railway running from Heywood to Rawtenstall, stopping at seven stations along the way including Bury Bolton Street, Burrs Country Park, Ramsbottom, and Summerseat. The line dates back to 1846 and is run as a registered charity dedicated to restoring and preserving this stretch of railway history. You can hop on a classic steam locomotive or one of the diesel engines, and the scenery and market towns along the route make the ride well worth it in its own right.

The railway runs a packed calendar of events throughout the year, from themed family adventures featuring characters like Thomas, Peppa Pig, Bluey, and wizarding worlds, to enthusiast galas celebrating steam and diesel engines. There are also dining experiences on board, including Sunday lunches and festive Christmas dinner trains, and the Santa Express is a firm favourite that families return to year after year. With so much on across the line, a single day often isn't enough to see everything.

The railway is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 5pm, with events running across the year. The site has wheelchair-accessible entrances, toilets, seating, and parking, so it's well set up for visitors with accessibility needs. Pushchairs are welcome and the whole experience is geared towards families as much as railway enthusiasts.