Great Central Railway - Rothley Station

The platforms at Rothley Station still smell like coal and nostalgia. This is a proper working heritage railway, where vintage steam trains actually run regular services along a stretch of track that once connected Leicester to Nottingham. You'll board from an authentic Victorian station building - all period ironwork and tiled waiting rooms - and spend anything from an hour to a full afternoon rattling through the Leicestershire countryside in lovingly restored carriages.

It's the sort of place that genuinely appeals to everyone without trying too hard. Kids will be utterly transfixed by the steam engines - there's something about the sheer scale and noise of them that no video can capture. Walking enthusiasts can combine it with a ramble through nearby Bradgate Park, just two miles away, which sits on higher ground and offers far broader views across the county. Adults who remember proper trains will find themselves getting quietly emotional about the whole enterprise.

Allow a full day if you're making the trip. Trains run most weekends and certain weekday dates throughout the year - worth checking ahead as schedules vary. Admission costs a reasonable amount for a return journey, and the station cafe serves the sort of hot drinks that taste better when you're standing on a platform waiting for steam to appear around the bend.

Barrow upon Soar, just beyond the station, provides the nearest services. It's the kind of outing that justifies a night or two at one of the camping spots dotted around here - Cossiwild or High Meadows Farm would put you within easy reach for an early start.