West Somerset Railway - (Minehead Station)

Steam trains still run here. Proper steam trains, with the hiss and clank of the real thing, not some tourist attraction pretending to be heritage. The West Somerset Railway operates out of Minehead Station, and if you're staying at Butlins or the caravan club sites just up the road, it's practically on your doorstep.

You board at the Victorian station and head inland through Somerset countryside - about 20 miles of track running to Bishops Lydeard near Taunton. The journey takes roughly an hour each way, depending on which service you catch. Windows wind down, the smell of coal fills the air, and you actually feel like you're travelling, not just sitting on a ride. Kids generally love it, though younger ones might fidget if you're doing the full round trip without a break.

It's absolutely worth doing if you're in Minehead for a week or more. As a one-off afternoon activity, you could spend three to four hours here including a browse round the station museum and a cup of tea. The railway runs weekends year-round and daily during summer holidays, so check their website before you book. It costs a fair bit - expect to pay around £15-20 per adult, less for children - but it's one of those proper British experiences that actually delivers. Much better than sitting in a car park in Minehead town centre.