Bath and West Steam Railway

Steam trains still run properly here, which is rarer than you'd think. The Bath and West Steam Railway near Castle Cary operates vintage locomotives and period carriages along a heritage line, and it's the sort of place where you can actually smell the coal and feel the vibration through the carriage floor. Not some sanitised museum piece.

You're riding in restored Pullman cars or open trucks depending on the service, watching Somerset countryside roll past at a satisfying pace. The line covers several miles, so you're getting a genuine journey rather than a short shuttle. Staff know their stuff about the engines - proper enthusiasts rather than script-readers.

This works best for families with children old enough to sit still for an hour or so. Younger kids under five might find it too long. History types and railway enthusiasts will spend extra time photographing the locomotives. It's also decent for couples after a proper nostalgic afternoon out.

If you're staying at Hadspen Glamping five miles away, this makes a solid morning or early afternoon activity. You won't spend all day here, but it's well worth the short drive from Castle Cary. Go on a weekend when services run regularly - weekday timetables can be patchy. Bring a camera. The light's best in late morning, and you'll want to photograph the trains from the platform before departure.

Check operating days before you visit. Steam railways aren't like theme parks - they run when they run.