Yorkshire Wolds Railway

The railway line that runs through the Yorkshire Wolds feels like stepping back into the 1950s, though these days it's a heritage operation rather than a working commuter service. You'll board vintage carriages pulled by steam locomotives - proper old-school stuff - and rattle through some genuinely lovely countryside between Driffield and beyond. The journey takes you past rolling hills and farmland that hasn't changed much in decades, and there's something rather satisfying about travelling this way instead of whizzing down the A1.

This works best if you actually like railways. If you're lukewarm on steam engines and heritage attractions, you'll be bored within twenty minutes. But families with kids who've watched Thomas the Tank too many times will get real value here - there's something magical about riding behind a proper steam loco. Older visitors often find it moving, reconnecting with how they used to travel.

It's free to wander the station at Driffield and have a look around, though you'll obviously pay for a ticket if you want to ride. Allow a couple of hours minimum - the journey itself takes a while, and you'll want time to explore the carriages and soak it in. Weekends during summer are busiest, so go mid-week if you can.

For a park holiday, you're well positioned staying at Seaways Glamping nearby - you can make the railway a pleasant half-day activity between exploring the actual countryside. East End Farm is slightly further out but equally good as a base.