The Battlefield Line - (Shackerstone,Station)

Steam trains and vintage diesel locomotives still run along this restored railway line between Shackerstone and Market Bosworth, which closed to passengers back in 1969. It's a proper slice of railway nostalgia - the kind of place where enthusiasts spend entire weekends photographing locos in various states of restoration, but equally where families board an actual heritage train for a 5-mile journey through Leicestershire countryside.

The station itself at Shackerstone feels authentic rather than theme-park-ified. There's a small museum, a gift shop, and usually a queue at the buffet. The volunteers running the place genuinely know their stuff. If you're into railways or vintage engineering, you'll get hours out of it. Kids under eight might find the train ride novelty enough; older ones need to be actual train enthusiasts or they'll be done in an afternoon.

It's free to wander round the station and yards, though train rides cost extra - check their website for current prices and running days, as they operate seasonally. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're taking a journey. Summer weekends are rammed with families and railway clubs. Quieter in autumn.

Stay at one of the nearby glamping spots like The Dandelion Hideaway or Bosworth Lakeside Lodges - both within a couple of miles - and you can take the train on a whim without worrying about the drive. Nuneaton's your nearest proper town, but Shackerstone itself is perfectly placed for a low-key Midlands break.