Nene Valley Railway Museum

The railway line between Peterborough and Northampton still carries trains, but it's the Nene Valley Railway that keeps the old steam heritage alive. Based near Wansford, just outside Stamford, this working museum lets you climb aboard Victorian-era carriages pulled by restored steam locomotives - the sort of thing that genuinely fascinates kids and railway enthusiasts alike.

You get the full experience here: riding the train itself is the main event, though the museum side shows you the mechanics and history of how these machines actually worked. The journey runs through proper countryside, and there's something undeniably special about hearing the hiss of steam and smelling coal smoke as you rattle across the Nene Valley. Families with children under ten will probably get the most out of a visit, though anyone with even a passing interest in industrial heritage should spend an afternoon here.

The railway operates seasonally and on specific running days, so you'll need to check ahead before planning a trip. Allow three to four hours if you're combining museum time with a ride. It's worth the detour from Stamford, which is itself a cracking stone-built town worth exploring.

If you're based at Ferry Meadows Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or Rockingham Forest Park - Landal nearby, the railway makes a solid half-day outing. Less of a destination in itself, more a quality addition to a wider Northamptonshire park holiday.