The Great Central Railway is a heritage railway in Leicestershire, England operated on a surviving stretch of the old Great Central line. Trains run from Loughborough to Leicester and we thought the whole thing was done really well – you actually feel like you’re back in Victorian times!
It’s no surprise that this railway line and its stations have been used in countless movies and TV series as so many original features remain. At Loughborough station, the original panelled ticket office (pictured above) is gorgeous and you then descend a flight of stairs to the platform (pictured below). This has original waiting rooms and a cafe along with lots of other period features to enjoy. Even the roof canopy looks fantastic. All the staff are appropriately dressed too. We thought the attention to small details is what made this railway stand out. If you walk down the platform you can cross the line at the sidings and head down to the maintenance shed where there are usually volunteers working on locos.
We visited on an event day when a ‘steam gala’ was taking place. For this, extra locos were brought in and a frequent steam timetable is run, including goods trains. It was absolutely superb and our little boy loved seeing so many steam trains. The line has a lovely stop at another well-preserved station in Quorn where there’s plenty to enjoy in the village or at the station before catching the next train. The waiting room (pictured below) looked lovely! There’s a further stop at Rothley before the final stretch to Leicester North.
It’s easy to spend the whole day on this railway and we thought it was one of the best heritage lines in the UK. Great Central Railway has operating days through the year. Ticket prices vary depending on whether it’s just a standard running day or an event. Typical runabout tickets cost £24 for adults (2025 prices) but there are family tickets available too.
LOCATION & CONTACT
Address: Great Central Railway, Great Central Rd, Loughborough LE11 1RW
Phone: +44 1509 632323
This map shows the location of Loughborough Station, but you can also board at Quorn and Rothley
MORE ON GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY
Great Central Railway – Official Website
Stay in Loughborough – Booking.com