West Lancashire Light Railway

A restored steam railway running through the Lancashire countryside might sound like a niche interest, but the West Lancashire Light Railway near Becconsall is genuinely worth a half-day detour if you're staying at any of the caravan parks dotted around the area. The line operates heritage trains pulled by vintage locomotives along a short stretch of track, giving you the sort of nostalgic experience that appeals to families with young kids and railway enthusiasts in equal measure.

What you actually get is a proper ride aboard restored coaches, usually lasting around 30 minutes or so, trundling through rural Lancashire at a pace that lets you actually notice the landscape rather than blur past it. There's something about travelling by steam that makes even a short journey feel like an occasion. The railway often runs weekend services, particularly during school holidays, so timing matters if you're planning a visit from Riverside Holiday Park or Leisure Lakes.

It's the sort of attraction that works best as part of a broader day out rather than a destination in itself. An hour on site covers everything - the ride itself plus a poke around the visitor facilities. Kids under five might find the journey itself more exciting than the destination, while older children and adults who remember railway travel from childhood will get genuine pleasure from it. Admission costs aren't steep, and there's usually a small café for tea and biscuits afterwards. Well worth slotting in alongside a walk or a visit to nearby attractions if you're spending a week in the area.