Trains & Railways in Greater London

Most of these 13 run on limited calendars, so the first question is the date. Roxbourne Railway in Ruislip runs Sundays only during British Summer Time; a family blog on days out for train-mad kids notes steam and diesel trains plus a Halloween special, and reviewers mention cuddly toys set along the track for children to spot. Ickenham Miniature Railway opens on the first Saturday of the month, April to December, and sits behind the high street, so allow time to find it. Lodge Farm Park Miniature Railway in Romford runs first and third Sundays, April to October, with several locomotives in rotation, and London Transport Miniature Railway only runs on depot open days.

Two lines are easier to build a whole day around. Ruislip Lido Railway, which the same blog calls Britain's longest 12-inch gauge railway, loops through woodland with picnic space and trails alongside; steam weekends with Mad Bess run on selected dates. Watford Miniature Railway needs no booking and sits opposite the playground and paddling pools in Cassiobury Park. Brockwell Park Miniature Railway is the cheapest ride listed, and children often get to blow the horn.

In central London, Mail Rail at The Postal Museum is a timed, driverless underground loop of about 20 minutes; the blog loved it but found the carriages very squashy. Platform 9¾ at King's Cross is free if you skip the professional photo. Out west, Kempton Steam Museum is a steam-day visit for engineering-minded older children, while Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway runs a steam train that suits toddlers, who ride free under three. The Polar Express London is a Christmas show for ages 2 to 8 that sells out months ahead, and British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England is formal dining better kept for a teenager's special occasion.