Swindon & Cricklade Railway-North Blunsdon Station

You'll spot the signal box before you see the platforms - that's how you know you're at the right place. The Swindon & Cricklade Railway runs vintage trains along a restored stretch of track that closed back in the 1960s, and North Blunsdon Station is where the magic happens. It's proper nostalgic stuff: steam engines puffing away, lovingly restored carriages, and the whole affair feels genuinely authentic rather than theme-park artificial.

This works best for families with kids old enough to sit still for a journey - under-fives might find an hour on a train less thrilling than you'd hope. Train enthusiasts will have the time of their lives, naturally. Even if you're not obsessed with railways, there's something oddly pleasant about pottering about the platforms, watching volunteers fuss over the engines, and grabbing a cup of tea from the station café.

The railway runs seasonally, so check ahead before you trek out from Swindon town centre - it's only a few miles north. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing a round trip with a look around the station itself. It's free to wander the platforms, though rides cost extra.

If you're basing yourselves at Park Farm Campsite or Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park nearby, this makes a solid half-day outing, especially on a drizzly Wiltshire afternoon when you want something low-key. Pair it with a walk along the canal towpath if the mood takes you.