Talyllyn Railway - Tywyn Wharf Railway Station

Steam locomotives still run from Tywyn Wharf, which rather puts most modern attractions to shame. The Talyllyn Railway has been operating since 1865 - making it the world's first narrow-gauge railway built for passengers - and volunteers keep those Victorian-era engines firing today.

You'll board an actual working steam train here, not a museum piece. The line runs for twelve miles inland from the coast, climbing through proper Welsh countryside towards Abergynolwyn. Journey time is around an hour each way, and yes, you do get covered in soot if you sit near the engine - children find this hilarious.

This works brilliantly if you're camping at one of the nearby parks like Gwynedd Holiday Home Park, just a short walk away, or staying further along the coast at Sunbeach or Cambrian Coast. It's a proper half-day outing: arrive early, ride up the valley, maybe have a walk around Abergynolwyn station, then ride back down.

Families with kids aged five upwards will genuinely enjoy it. Younger children get restless during the full round trip. Trainspotters and anyone into industrial heritage will spend hours examining the engines themselves - the volunteer crews are genuinely knowledgeable if you ask questions.

Go on a weekday outside summer holidays if possible. Bank holidays and peak season get rammed. Check the website for current fares and timetables before you visit - they run seasonal schedules, so you won't find trains running every day in winter.