Great Central Railway
Loughborough, Leicestershire
About Great Central Railway
Full steam ahead to the Great Central Railway! Take a ride on a steam powered railway where vintage locomotives whizz through the Leicestershire countryside.
Enjoy panoramic views from comfortable carriages whilst feeling like a time traveller. Built in the late 19th-century, this railway is a historic attraction your family has to visit. Not only are the trains amazing, but the location is too. Walk along the station like former passengers would have done over one hundred years ago. There’s plenty to keep the family busy, such as a museum, gift shop, and a train emporium.
The only double tracked mainline heritage railway in the Uk
Family Time at its best
Facilities
Toilets
Gift Shop
Onsite Parking
Accessible Toilets
Baby Changing
Food Available
Wheelchair Friendly
Dog Friendly
Pushchair Friendly
Card Payments Accepted
Opening Times
- Monday, Open 24 hours
- Tuesday, Open 24 hours
- Wednesday, Open 24 hours
- Thursday, Open 24 hours
- Friday, Open 24 hours
- Saturday, Open 24 hours
- Sunday, Open 24 hours
We operate every weekend and some midweeks during the summer and during school holidays. Check our website for details of timetables and special events
Pricing & Tickets
- Child (3-14) : £12.00
- Adult (15-18+) : £22.00
Our standard prices are for a runabout all day travel ticket. Family tickets are also available. Full details on our website.
During AUGUST 2023 Kids go for a Quid.
Up to 3 £1.00 tickets can be purchased with every adult ticket
Book in advance for cheapest tickets
Find other attractions similar to Great Central Railway by visiting our attraction tickets section.
Plan Your Visit
Typical visit time 2 - 3 hours
Suitable for Kids and Adults too
FAQs
Parking
Toilets
Family Friendly Options
Food & Drink
Accessibility Information
Tickets & Bookings
Private Hire & Birthday Parties
Contact Details
Great Central Road
Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE11 1RW
England
We have four stations, start your visit at any of them: Leicester North, Rothley, Quorn & Woodhouse, Loughborough Central
Tel: 01509632323
Visit Website
Verification
Verified Status:
This attraction has been claimed and verified. All information has been recently checked.
Great Central Railway Reviews
Recent blog posts
The brand-new Hey Duggee Clubhouse rooms are here at CBeebies Land Hotel, Alton Towers! Sleeps 5 or 7. See what’s included and how to book.
Follow the Cox family’s adventures as Chief Family Holiday Testers! Watch their 10-part video series exploring TUI resorts in Egypt, Turkey & Tunisia. Free to watch now!
West Midlands Safari Park welcomed Olive, a baby Northern giraffe, on 20 January 2026. She stood in 40 minutes and fed within 1 hour from mum Arusha. This vital birth boosts the vulnerable species, down over 50% in the wild, via the European Endangered Species Programme. Book tickets through Day Out With The Kids for your ultimate family safari adventure supporting conservation!
World of PAW Patrol opens spring 2026 at Chessington World of Adventures, a £15m investment over 1.4 acres recreating Adventure Bay. Enjoy 4 kid-friendly rides: Chase’s Mountain Mission coaster, Skye’s Helicopter Heroes, Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue, and UK-first Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure. Features pup meets, Lookout Tower, play areas. Book via Day Out With The Kids for discounts, arrive early to beat queues for perfect preschool family fun!
McDonald’s Friends Box launches UK-wide on 3 February 2026 at 11am, featuring adult Happy Meals with Big Mac, McPlant or 9 Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, drink, Monica’s Marinara sauce and one of six exclusive figurines (Rachel, Phoebe, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Ross). Collect all via off-peak visits, app orders and swaps. Add Pizza Mozzarella Dippers for the ultimate nostalgic family treat!
Legoland Germany Harry Potter Hotel opens in 2026 next to Günzburg resort, featuring world’s first LEGO Wizarding World stay with Hogwarts house rooms and family suites. Fly from UK to Munich or Stuttgart (under 2 hours), then drive or train 1-1.5 hours. Expect immersive land, 2-day park tickets in packages. Book early via newsletters for best deals; visit May/September to dodge crowds. Ultimate magical family adventure!
Alton Towers launches the world’s first Bluey coaster, Bluey the Ride: Here Come The Grannies, in CBeebies Land Spring 2026, replacing Postman Pat. Expect 0.9m height limit, gentle dips and twists for toddlers, streamed 770 million times on BBC iPlayer. Book via DOWTK for discounts, arrive early mid-week, use FastTrack. Secure tickets now for ultimate family coaster fun!
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Express Adventure launches in the UK by late 2026, featuring immersive Platform 9¾, interactive onboard challenges, Butterbeer, and merchandise. Expect live actors, digital windows, and magical thrills in London, Manchester, or Birmingham. Tickets will sell fast with tiered pricing; book early via Day Out With The Kids for the ultimate family outing. Over 600 million books sold worldwide!