Came here to take the kids to the Santa express visit Quite a lot of free parking outside which is always good. TIP come in the morning as we did. When we was leaving midday there was easily twice as much visitors so I imagine time spent with Santa etc would be limited Staff are so friendly and it makes the visit better when you can tell they enjoy their jobs Plenty of room on the train and great to see old trains like this running still as I can’t imagine the upkeep being cheap The train was quite comfortable however was cold so make sure you wrap up This was the first time my kids have been on a train and they enjoyed it Saw Santa a few times and he came over to speak to them also. Spent a lot of time with them. There is a pic opportunity when the train stops Kids had a activity pack which keeps some busy and they got a decent present too Great fun for all ages Loved how the decor and theme was all old and set in the old fashioned period Great work guys keep it up

We enjoyed a Christmas family murder mystery night with food. All was very well put together with excellent food, reasonable drink prices and pretty good entertainment from 4 actors. We intend to visit again for another trip with food and a murder when it will be daylight during the train ride. We'll worthwhile for something different.

A fantastic heritage railway line. Well preserved and great organised event days. Good social volunteers. It's highly recommended for a great fun day out. A superb collection of various steam and diesel locomotives. Great carriages as well.

I was given an all day Steam train driving experience as a leaving present from my work. It is expensive, but was very well worth while. The advance information was good and clear, The day was well-planned, with a good range of variety - an initial briefing, visit to the signal box and later the engine sheds, and driving four round trips of the railway, eight single trips in all. They were very flexible, allowing two on the footplate at a time, explained the principles and the controls well, and gave a lot of space and freedom to practice and to have a go. We really did drive all the way in both directions and it was a full length 350 tonne train with my choice of engine. I chose the biggest on the line, which was not necessarily a wise decision as it had a lot of power for our speed of 25 mph. It is a good railway to choose because it has a decent length of run and much of it is double track. The atmosphere was excellent, and the crew were very patient in their explanations. Nothing was rushed, but nor did it drag. In the support carriages there was a commentary available to the other members of the party in the train, and they kept them engaged and entertained, including my two year old grandson.

Very good afternoon. Quite pricey for a full family but should be expected. As a once a year / every few years it's good. All staff were brilliant. Free park on local roads. Short walk but nothing to bad.

We visited on the railway when the beer festival was on. This was perfect for the whole family. Each station and the trains all had different ales to try. At the main stations they also had cocktails, gin and tonic and cider to choose from. The ticket prices are reasonable and are day rovers allowing you to go up and down the line as often as you like. The volunteers are all helpful, friendly and happy, which makes the day more pleasant. They had a choice of two steam engines, two diesil engines and a lightweight single car.

Had Sunday lunch on train. Excellent experience, with good food. You do sit about on train a bit. Food is served while stationary. Good service. Lovely station at Loughborough. Only issues are lack of parking at Loughborough and on our visit gift shop wasn't open. We will return.

Great day out. Seeing the steam train couple and uncouple it's fantastic the way they have retained the old ways, the old engines and the old carriages. The ability for you to be transported back in time for a few hours while you feel every bump and movement and sound on the train. It's a shame that today's modern trains have removed all or the romance and that they are now fast moving steel boxes. Fully recommend a cheap day out here take the train to Leicester and back.

The very epitome of heritage railway! Nothing more needs to be said. The staff, sublime and very smart! The food, top notch (brownie cake HIGHLY recommended!) The stations, simply sensational. The only issue if any is parking but that's not the fault of the railway, it's heritage, cars weren't around!

A wonderful heritage railway which is lovingly preserved and run by a friendly and incredibly enthusiastic team of volunteers. The themed stations have been carefully created to represent the different eras in which the railway operated and It's great to be able to get close to the superb steam engines and ride on the historic carriages. An atmospheric and entertaining day out and highly recommended for everyone even if you're not a train buff.

My wife and I had a most enjoyable dining experience on Sunday 23rd July. Took the 1pm train hauled by standard 2 # 78018. The lunch was exceptional, well cooked and very tasty! The on train staff were very helpful and helped make the experience a wonderful memory! One small observation that always annoys me, not only at GC but throughout the country. Could staff please please refer to diners as anything but “you guys” !! We still enjoy a male and female identity. A small grump in an otherwise perfect day! Many thanks. Jane & Mike Phillips.

We celebrated a friends birthday by having dinner on the train one Saturday evening. The whole event was fantastic and thoroughly well organised. We had good food and service, surrounded in nostalgia and a great ride along the double track to Birstall and back twice in the evening. Well done to everyone who made it a really great evening.

Great place. They have a lift to go down to the platform if you need it, and there's lots to look at there. A little museum, a railway emporium (or shop as it's better known as), and a cafe, though it was closed on the day I went. You can walk down towards the engine shed and see some of their other locos that they have. And that's before you even get on a train. I'm definitely going back.

Great afternoon well worth a visit! Amazing place it really is like going back in time. The staff were very professional and really friendly. Lunch on the train was to a high standard and not a British Rail sandwich in sight!

Really enjoyable day. We took the steam train from Loughborough to Leicester North then returned stopping halfway for a coffee. Beautifully recreated stations reflecting the 1900's, 1940's and 1960's.

Beautiful station and perfect way to start your journey along the heritage line. We caught the train to Leicester North and back a fair few times, we even had a brekky in the griddle car which was fab. Highly recommend a trip

An absolutely charming station with cafe, shop, and museum to entertain you in between journeys along this heritage line. It is beautifully maintained and so saturated with historic artefacts that it truly feels like a time capsule transporting you to a bygone era. An absolute must visit whether or not your are a railway enthusiast.

We went today. The Champagne brunch was an excellent experience. Great food, excellent service. Everyone who works, volunteers there should be very proud of themselves. I absolutely loved it

Great place to visit and family friendly if you have little ones. Brilliant double track preserved railway. I bought tickets online but it is also worth buying them in person on the day for that authentic experience with real tickets!

Love it here! Took my little one yesterday as she is train mad and we had a lovely morning. Nothing is over priced and it all goes to help the railway anyway. Sausage roll was lovely! The staff were great and friendly too, takes you back to a time where things were better that’s for sure.

We went on the 9th December for the Santa Train, Even though the station was all dec'd out for Christmas and had a WW2 vide going, we found it to be ok. I mean, the only issue was the parking, or lack of it. Good luck getting a space. The train journey was great, and being on a steam train adds a whole new experience to the trip. Santa arrived, cheerful, and spoke with the kids. It was a great atmosphere. He handed out gifts, which, he was then followed by his team of elves. He dis his rounds and then stopped for photos, was great to see. But sadly only 3 stars due to the frustration in parking.

Great adventure for our kids! Not just an ordinary train. Back to the past worth every pence. Plus free extras for youngest ones. Highly recommended!

Just to say we had a fantastic time yesterday and a big thank you to all the lovely staff for making our visit with 2 of our grandchildren so enjoyable. Pre booked tickets on line (kids for a quid) absolute bargain. Had plenty of rides on the train and Got off and explored all the stations. Super food on the grill car, lost track of time and caught the last train back to Loughborough. Wonderful time and the PM waved at us too. Looking forward to next time. Many thanks.

Amazing day out. Can ride multiple trains throughout the day and explore the history. Amaziling for children and adults! Also great to see options for food and a restaurant train serving 5 course meal!

What an awesome experience. Great service, great journey on the diesel train and then the 1st class 3 course meal on the steam train was the icing on the cake. Fabulous staff, delicious food, and a 1st class journey

Booked on one of the afternoon tea services and couldn't fault it. The boarding process was very smooth. Cutlery, crockery and linen all very clean. The food was delicious, plentiful and very well presented. The staff were all incredibly friendly and attentive, coffee and tea refills were offered every few minutes. Great experience from start to finish.

Great experience - had dinner on the South Yorkshireman with friends, great atmosphere, great service - eating dinner overlooking Swithland reservoir - priceless.

My daughters gave this as a gift. Very enjoyable experience. Food was excellent. 👍👍

What a lovely day we had ...a Virgin Experience Day was a present for our Anniversary ...hopping on and off at the four stations... loved the 1940 and 1910 themes.... and rooms to look in.... steam train was great. Ellis Tea room at Rothley was lovely too... clean... friendly staff... and Gluten Free victoria sandwich yummy!.... the scones were yummy! Sandwiches...gluten free bread.... not great.... but nothing to do with tearoom.... gluten free bread is not great anyway! All in all had a lovely day and the sun shone too... totally recommend.

Britain's only double track preserved railway: bursting with charm and activity. Lots of opportunities to get up close and personal with the rolling stock, and beautiful from end to end.

Went for the three course meal on the central railway . Lovely experience on a very warm summer evening. The mushroom and rosemary soup and the shoulder of lamb main very good . Long delay between some of the courses . Overall very good .

We visited on a weekday when there were no trains running, but we knew this so not a disappointment. From the outside the building is quite imposing and nicely maintained. The entrance/ticket hall is very atmospheric and the floorboards tell a good story. There's a lift to give access to the platform if the stairs are too much. The wooden handrail on the stairs is beautiful and the grain is raised showing years of wear as travellers have steadied themselves on the way down. The luggage slide on the side of the steps is something that should be considered for modern rail stations. The platform is 'dressed' with hand trolleys, luggage and goods and looks as it would have when it was in use. The waiting rooms and powder rooms are just as they were when the station closed. I'd forgotten how good a chain flush toilet sounds! Everything is well maintained and clean. The cafe wasn't open during our visit, it looks just as good as everything around it and I'm confident it would provide a good cup of tea. At the ticket office end of the platform there is a small museum that holds a lot of the background detail of a working station and a successful railway. From sick notes to silver wear and truncheons, the artifacts give an insight into the human aspect of travelling by rail or working on the railway. The posters advertising 'specials' to take people to the races or the seaside are lovely and again illustrate the social importance of the services provided. The maps and tickets on display document the extent of the rail network before Beeching wreaked havoc. A lot of rural England suddenly became more remote and lost some of its life as a result The museum and station is not huge, but it's easy to pass an hour or so on a quiet day and, if trains are running (weekends and bank holidays) the whole experience will be very different. If coming here with children I would definitely pick a day when trains are running, if a rail enthusiast or someone into more general social history, there is plenty to see at any other time.

Had a steam train murder mystery. Plus 1940's weekend, a few stations participated in the theme. One station was the American/British military, Another was the Germans, entertainment was provided with live band music and just general good costumes, military hardware! One of the best weekends I had away, definitely book for next year.

Superbly restored heritage railway with the main station at Loughborough Central that has an excellent museum. They have recreated the experience of two steam trains passing each other at speed on their unique double track. Plenty of food outlets and toilets etc and their stations have level access if needed. Weekend dining trains, when running, are highly recommended.

Attended the Hurrah Gala on both days.What an excellent weekend of steam & diesel. Fine turn out of engines and the fabulous rail car.Staff on the stations all dressed for the occasion as well as being extremely helpful. Big thank you for all involved for a brilliant day.

Top notch heritage railway, steam and diesel. Four stations representing different time periods. Plenty of catering options, good toilet facilities. Note this was a gala weekend, the fair isn't permanent, but there are lots of special events like this.

Wonderful experience well worth a visit, a Christmas gift from the trouble&strife, a line that I pass regularly through work and finally got to enjoy it. Transported back to bygone era, when perhaps their was pride in the stations at the very least. A huge variety of rolling stock, locomotives both diesel and steam as well as rail memorabilia from down the ages not to mention museum at the Loughborough end, easy jumping on and off enjoying the various stations and travelling on steam and diesel,also vintage road vehicles along the route...

I came with my little girl for the Santa train on December 24th 2023. Been trying for some time to post a review, but life got in the way. I have a 4yo autistic little girl. I also have mobility needs and I had a broken foot too. My child was pretty disregulated and it looked like is going to be a very rough experience. This is when Andy came into play. I told him in a few words what was happening and he quickly became our saving grace. First of all, he took us to the waiting room where it was quiet, so my little one could settle. He made sure that the fire is on so we would be warm. He offers us to change our booked train to a later one that had compartments so we won’t be amongst too much background noise. He helped me with my mobility aid. Literally, he turned a horrible experience into a dream. My child fully enjoyed the trip and she had her space to withdraw to whenever she needed it. We were sheltered and looked after and we dearly appreciated it. I am only mentioning Andy because he is the only one I know the name for, but everyone was amazing. Highly recommended it!