The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway is a majestic old-fashioned steam train line offering spectacular countryside views in the Lake District. The train runs from Haverthwaite Station to the southern tip of Lake Windermere. Combine a serene and picturesque train journey with a cruise on the immense lake.
Join the crew in the front compartment of one of the steam engines for a closer look at the inner workings. The railway company also offers the opportunity to become a locomotive operator for the day with friends. Learn about signal, guard and drive duties and get a photo of yourself as a driver. Earn a certificate and a guidebook to commemorate your maiden voyage as a locomotive operator.
Enjoy a home-cooked meal at the Haverthwaite Station Restaurant. Stay for traditional afternoon tea, which includes a range of cakes and freshly baked fruit scones. Climb aboard a Windermere Steamer to one of the quaint towns dotted around the shores of the lake, including Bowness and Ambleside.
Note that the railway line dates back to the 1850s, when it was known as the Furness Railway. It played a role in the region’s Industrial Revolution, transporting coal and iron ore from the mines of northern England. The railway closed in 1965, before its grand reopening eight years later.
The railway season runs from the start of April until the end of October. Trains leave several times per day from morning until afternoon. Buy tickets at the station or book online. Toddlers can travel for free.
Find the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway a little southwest of Lake Windermere in the southern part of Lake District National Park. It is a 10-minute drive northeast from the town of Ulverston, which is 6 miles (10 kilometers) away. Go to nearby sights, such as the Lakes Aquarium, Playdale Playgrounds and Lakeland Motor Museum.