Trains & Railways in London

The six options here split by how much train you actually get. Platform 9¾ at King's Cross is a photo moment rather than a ride: reviewers describe friendly staff with scarves and props, and you can take a free phone photo without buying the professional package, though the adjacent shop is repeatedly called expensive. Weekday mornings are said to keep the queue to around 10 to 15 minutes. A family day-out roundup for train mad kids lists it alongside Euston, Marylebone and Waterloo as a station worth visiting.

For an actual ride, Mail Rail at The Postal Museum takes families underground on a timed session; one parent blogger describes it as a looped trip of about 20 minutes with film clips on its history, squashy but enjoyable. Our verdict puts it best for ages 3 and up, with the Sorted play space extending the visit for toddlers, and the pace can feel rushed for children who want to linger. Book ahead, as capacity is fixed. Brockwell Park Miniature Railway is the cheapest and shortest: a quick outdoor ride suited to under 8s, where staff often let children blow the horn and cash is needed for tickets. London Transport Miniature Railway only runs on scheduled depot open days, so treat it as one part of that visit rather than a trip in itself.

Two are occasions rather than outings. The Polar Express London is a Christmas theatre production on a train, pitched at children aged 2 to 8 who know the film; reviewers praise the professional actors and note it sells out months before the season opens. British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England is formal multi-course dining in working Art Deco carriages from London Victoria, a once-in-a-lifecycle trip for teenagers who can sit through it, not a regular family day out.