Thorne Memorial Park Miniature Railway

The miniature railway at Thorne Memorial Park is a proper throwback to childhood seaside days, except you're in South Yorkshire rather than Brighton. Trains run on narrow gauge track through the park grounds, and you'll spend a good twenty minutes or so pottering along on what amounts to a working model railway at human scale. It's the sort of thing that delights five-year-olds and nostalgic adults in equal measure, though teenagers will likely find it a bit tame.

The park itself does the heavy lifting here. It's green, well-maintained, and genuinely pleasant for a wander between train rides. You can kill a couple of hours if you're not rushed - grab a bench, let the kids run about on the grass, and catch another circuit of the railway when the mood takes. It's free to walk around; you'll pay a modest fee per ride if you fancy actually boarding.

Going in summer works best, when you know the trains will actually be running. Check ahead for operating days since volunteers typically run this, and it's not a daily thing. Doncaster is just down the road if you need proper facilities or lunch.

If you're staying at Mooreacres or Between Rivers Camping, this makes a decent half-morning activity rather than a destination in itself. Pair it with a proper walk elsewhere or a swim, and you've got a solid day. Don't expect crowds or queues - that's actually part of the charm.