West Somerset Railway

A vintage steam train line that actually runs - not just a museum piece gathering dust. The West Somerset Railway stretches 20 miles from Minehead down to Bishops Lydiard, and on a decent day you're climbing aboard restored carriages pulled by proper locomotives that smell of coal and oil. It's wonderfully low-tech in the best way possible.

You'll want a good three to four hours if you're doing the full run. The line follows the Somerset coast for part of the journey, which beats staring at the back of someone's caravan on the A39. Real steam enthusiasts will lose themselves in conversation with volunteer crew members who actually know their class 2721s from their pannier tanks. Families with younger kids often do the shorter hops between stations rather than the full length - perfectly sensible.

It runs on weekends and selected weekdays during peak season, though you should check ahead as timetables shift. Tickets aren't free but they're reasonable for what you're getting. Station cafes are functional rather than fancy, so bring snacks if you're fussy.

If you're staying at Butlins Minehead or the Caravan Club site - both basically on the doorstep - this fills an easy half-day without needing to drive elsewhere. The railway sits right at the edge of Exmoor too, so it works as part of a bigger walking holiday rather than a standalone thing. Not everyone's cup of tea, but if you like old railways, steam, and slightly eccentric British nostalgia, you'll have a proper afternoon of it.