Easter Adventures await at The Great Central Railway

Credit: GCR

The Great Central Railway is inviting families to hop aboard this Easter for a weekend of heritage rail travel and seasonal fun, headlined by a railway-wide Easter Egg Hunt.

The award-winning railway – recently named Best Day Out at the Leicestershire Tourism Awards – will host the Great Central Easter Egg Hunt from Saturday 4th to Monday 6th April, transforming the line’s four heritage stations into a colourful adventure trail for young explorers and their families.

Visitors can begin their journey at any of the stations, collecting a Hunt Sheet from the ticket office before setting off across the railway in search of 12 brightly coloured Easter eggs hidden across the station sites. With a Runabout Ticket, families can hop on and off the heritage steam and diesel trains as they travel between stations, keeping their eyes peeled for the hidden eggs along the way.

Once all 12 have been found, the adventure ends at Leicester North Station, where the Easter Bunny will be waiting to check completed hunt sheets and hand out chocolate treats during special afternoon appearances across all three days.

The event is designed to encourage families to make a full day of their visit, enjoying the journey as much as the challenge itself. From watching historic locomotives arrive and depart to exploring the unique character of each preserved station, the railway offers plenty to discover along the way. Visitors can pause for refreshments at the Butler Henderson Café at Quorn & Woodhouse Station, while the shop at Loughborough Central Station will be open throughout the weekend, offering souvenirs, gifts and treats that make the perfect reward after completing the hunt.

The Easter weekend celebrations begin a day earlier with the railway’s popular Good(s) Friday event on Friday 3rd April. The special day recreates the atmosphere of a busy working railway, with an impressive fleet of historic goods trains running alongside the regular passenger services. Visitors will be able to see classic steam and diesel locomotives hauling vintage wagons along the line, offering a rare glimpse into the commercial side of Britain’s railway heritage and the vital role freight once played.

Malcolm Holmes, General Manager at Great Central Railway, said: “Easter is a wonderful time for families to come together and enjoy a day out on the railway. Our Easter Egg Hunt offers a playful adventure for children, while the heritage trains and historic stations give parents and grandparents plenty to enjoy too. With the added spectacle of our Good(s) Friday freight operations kicking off the weekend, it promises to be a memorable few days for visitors of all ages.”

To find out more about both of these events, and book tickets, please visit www.gcrailway.co.uk/events