Stockton & Darlington Model Engineers/ Tees Cottage Miniature Railway

The narrow-gauge railway that winds through a corner of Shildon railway heritage is a proper delight if you've got a soft spot for miniature engineering. Stockton & Darlington Model Engineers run the Tees Cottage Miniature Railway, where you can actually ride in tiny carriages pulled by working model locomotives - some of them beautifully restored steam engines that require genuine skill to operate.

What strikes you first is how seriously the volunteers take it. These aren't toys. The track is laid with real precision, the locomotives fire up with proper smoke and steam, and the operators know their stuff. You'll trundle around the circuit at walking pace, which sounds leisurely until you realise you're sat about two feet off the ground watching a landscape scroll past at a child's eye level. It genuinely changes your perspective.

It's brilliant for families with younger kids - the novelty of riding in something that small gets them every time. But honestly, railway enthusiasts and model engineering types will find far more to chew on, watching the mechanics at work and chatting with the volunteers who are invariably generous with their knowledge.

Timing-wise, allow a couple of hours including a ride or two. It's volunteer-run, so opening varies by season - worth ringing ahead. Being so close to Shildon's broader railway history, it pairs well with a broader industrial heritage trip. If you're staying at Hewn Yorkshire nearby, it's a convenient afternoon out that won't bankrupt you.