SUMMER KIDZ: Great Central Railway Launches Summer of Discovery with £1 Children’s Tickets

Credit: GCR

The Great Central Railway (GCR) is gearing up for a season of family adventures with the launch of its Summer of Discovery across the weekend of 25th and 26th July, marking the start of six weeks of affordable family days out with children’s tickets priced at just £1 throughout the school holidays.

With up to three children travelling for just £1 each when accompanied by a full-paying adult, the heritage railway is making it easier than ever for families to enjoy a great-value day out. Visitors can enjoy unlimited heritage train travel across the railway’s four unique stations, alongside a programme of family-friendly activities running throughout the holidays.

Throughout the Summer of Discovery, young visitors can immerse themselves in the railway’s rich heritage with free activity packs designed for different age groups. Children can dress up as railway staff, explorers or in their favourite costumes before setting off to discover Britain’s only double-track, main line heritage railway.

Families can also take part in Jumbles’ Missing Kitten Hunt, searching stations for the station cat’s mischievous kittens, or tackle the GCR Explorer Activity Packs, packed with quizzes, puzzles and hands-on challenges that reveal how the railway works and bring its history to life.

To mark the launch weekend, visitors can enjoy family-friendly guided tours and behind-the-scenes shed visits at Loughborough Central, along with the opportunity to step onto the footplate of a steam locomotive at Leicester North. Families can also take time to explore the railway at their own pace, with picnic areas, cafés across the four stations, the museum and a shop filled with traditional toys at pocket-money prices, railwayana and souvenirs all adding to the experience.

Visitors travelling on Sunday 26 July can also enjoy the Classic Ford RS Show in Quorn Yard, where a collection of iconic Ford performance cars will be on display alongside the railway’s heritage attractions.

Malcolm Holmes, Managing Director of the Great Central Railway, said: “The Summer of Discovery is all about giving families more reasons to spend time together and experience everything the Great Central Railway has to offer. From travelling behind magnificent steam locomotives and exploring our four heritage stations to taking part in our activity packs and family trails, there’s something for visitors of all ages to enjoy throughout the school holidays.

“We know families are looking for memorable days out that offer great value, so with children travelling for just £1, we hope even more people will climb aboard and discover what makes the Great Central Railway such a unique attraction.”

Whether visiting during the launch weekend or later in the school holidays, families can enjoy the sights and sounds of steam, uncover the mystery of Jumbles’ missing kittens, explore the railway with an activity pack or simply spend time together travelling Britain’s only double-track, main line heritage railway.

The Summer of Discovery launches on Saturday 25 July, with activities continuing throughout the school holidays.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit www.gcrailway.co.uk