Travel through the Leven Valley in traditional carriages, then step off beside Windermere at Lakeside. A railway trip can be a short family outing or the start of a longer day combining trains, lake cruises and nearby attractions.
Start here: Haverthwaite Station, LA12 8AL, or Lakeside Station, LA12 8AS.
Train journey: approximately 18 minutes each way, or 50 minutes for a straightforward return.
2026 main season: 28 March–1 November.
Our suggestion: allow extra time for the station, refreshments and any boat connection.
The railway has operated as a heritage attraction since 1973 and describes itself as a family-run business. Steam locomotives haul traditional 1950s carriages through the valley to Lakeside, where the railway meets the southern end of Windermere.
The appeal is in the journey as much as the destination: settle into your carriage, watch the countryside pass and enjoy the atmosphere at the stations. Locomotives can change for operational reasons, so contact the railway if seeing a particular engine is essential to your visit.
At Lakeside, you can continue with Windermere Lake Cruises or visit the Lakes Aquarium. Plan the return journey before setting off to explore.
Allow time for the gift shop, woodland playground and picnic areas before or after your ride. The engine shed houses and maintains the railway’s locomotive collection; ask staff which areas are open when you visit.
The Station Tea Room offers a refreshment stop. Its opening arrangements change outside the main season, so check separately from the train timetable.
Use the official station guide to find facilities. Supervise children around platforms and follow staff instructions near working railway areas.
Ordinary train tickets are bought on the day at Haverthwaite or Lakeside Station. The railway’s fares page says these are not sold online or reserved in advance. Special events have their own booking arrangements.
Current return fares are £12.50 adult, £7.30 child and £37.50 family for two adults and up to three children. Child fares cover ages 3–15; under-threes travel free. Check the official fares before travelling.
The Tripadvisor link below provides reviews and listings. If booking a third-party tour, check what transport and tickets it includes; it is separate from the railway’s ordinary station-ticket arrangements.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission from qualifying Tripadvisor bookings, at no extra cost to you.
The published 2026 main timetable runs from 28 March to 1 November. Check the timetable for your exact date: departures and connecting boats vary across the season. Do not assume normal trains continue throughout winter.
Combined tickets are available for the train with lake cruises to Bowness or Ambleside, and for selected attractions. For a longer combined outing, the railway recommends starting with a morning train. Confirm the final boat and train connections before leaving Lakeside.
Seasonal services such as Tinsel Trains use separate dates, fares and booking conditions. Check availability directly with the railway.
Explore our collection of locomotives, stations and railway views. These photographs show the railway over time; the engine operating on your travel date may differ.
Haverthwaite Station: just off the A590, postcode LA12 8AL. The railway currently lists pay-and-display parking at £2.50 for two hours or £3.50 all day, with accessible spaces close to the platform.
Lakeside Station: postcode LA12 8AS. Pay-and-display parking serves the station, pier and aquarium; check the tariff on arrival.
Parking for campervans, motorhomes and caravans cannot be guaranteed at Haverthwaite because space is limited. Check the official parking guide and contact the railway before travelling with a larger vehicle.
A wheelchair lift provides access to the train’s viewing compartment. Haverthwaite has accessible toilets, but these are not available on the trains. Accessible parking is provided at both stations, and ramp access serves Haverthwaite’s gift shop, tea room and playground.
Read the railway’s access information and call 015395 31594 to discuss your wheelchair, mobility aid or boarding requirements. Check boat access separately if you are combining the railway with a cruise.
Dogs travel free on ordinary services and must be kept off the seats. Confirm any separate attraction or special-event rules before bringing your dog.
For another local stop, visit Lakeland Motor Museum or explore Fell Foot. Allow time to travel between attractions rather than assuming they are all beside the station.
Our Haverthwaite guide offers more ideas for exploring the area.
Look around Newby Bridge and the southern end of Windermere for a base close to the railway. Compare locations, parking and cancellation terms, and check the journey to your chosen departure station.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying bookings, at no extra cost to you.
