Toddlers are often vehicle fans. They love all things motorised, with wheels, and if they can get in or on it, to drive it, all the better. So I have pulled together a list of 18 places around the UK that have a transport theme to the day out.
Cars
National Motor Museum Beaulieu
Head over to read Captain Bobcat’s full account of their toddler day out at Beaulieu. There’s a monorail, vintage cars, racing cars, tractors, and so much more. Toddlers will love this day out!
Tractors
Tractor Road Run – Pontefract
Over 160 tractors and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter arrived at Farmer Copley’s in Pontefract. This is an annual event and so it’s worth checking out It’s Adam Again’s post about the charity tractor run around this part of Yorkshire, as it made for a memorable day out with a toddler!
Trains
Trains are HUGELY exciting for toddlers, and that’s why there are so many brilliant days out with toddlers featuring trains in this guide!
The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway is a miniature railway running 13.5 miles from Hythe to Dungeness. The trains are steam and diesel locomotives and there is plenty to see and do along the way. Parking is free at any of the stations along the route, and you can jump on and off as you like with a Romney Rover ticket. Check out the blog Pass the Prosecco for the full review of a day out with a toddler on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway.
A Day Out on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Kiddieholidays visited the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which is an 18-mile heritage railway which runs from the market town of Pickering in North Yorkshire, through the North York Moors towards the seaside town of Whitby. There are various stations along the way which you can stop off at including Goathland, which is famous for being Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter films and Aidensfield in Heartbeat. There was plenty for toddlers to look at and listen to along the way past beautiful scenery.
A ride on the West Somerset Railway
Entertaining Elliot visited the longest heritage railway in England for a day out with a train-enthusiast toddler! If you are going to Butlins in Minehead, a ride along the West Somerset Railway is a must!
Leeds model railway event
Another annual event that It’s Adam Again has brought to our attention – this time another toddler favourite – trains! Model railway fans and toddlers meet in this excellent event in Leeds. Over 20 miniature railway displays, and passionate model railway enthusiasts should inspire the next generation of tiny train fans.
Llanberis Lake Railway
The Llanberis Lake Train is a lovely scenic route through some of Wales’ best landscapes. The train takes you along five miles of track, through the forest and past lakes, until it stops at a station. I think in high season you can buy a cuppa, and probably ice creams, at the station, and there is time for a wander around the grassy area next to the lake. Overhead there were fighter jets whooshing about.
Trainspotting with a toddler
Toddlers don’t always need to ride on the train to enjoy it, and sometimes just seeing it go past is more thrilling. With this in mind, It’s Adam Again discovered a very special ‘Tin Bath’ steam train was due to pass through several local stations. It was a double-headed steam special, and, due to licence restrictions, mainline steam is an increasingly rare occurrence, so Adam took his family to spot the train go past. Adam gives tips on apps to download and Facebook groups to join if you (or your toddler) is keen on spotting steam trains go by.
Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
You’re unlikely to go wrong with a day out at steam railway if you have a transport mad toddler. The Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway is “a volunteer-run, preserved Heritage Railway which does not receive any grants or subsidies towards running.” Rock and Roll Pussy Cat chugged along through the beautiful Yorkshire countryside before disembarking at Bolton Abbey station. There, they discovered more train-themed fun! Do check out this review of a steam train themed day out with a toddler.
Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership
Something About Baby took the Santa train on the Essex and South Suffolk community railway between Southminster and Wickford. They had a chance to meet Santa, and had Christmas themed activities to entertain children along the route. If you are thinking about joining this train this year, do check out the post for tips and information about taking a toddler!
Boats
DFDS Ferry crossing from Newcastle to Amsterdam
So, slightly less of a day out and more of a mini break, but even so toddlers would love to ride on the car ferry between Newcastle and Amsterdam. Not only are you on a ship, but there’s also a soft play (wisely located next to the bar on the ferry), and you can have the chance to spot whales and dolphins from the decks of the ship as you cross the North Sea.
A boat ride on the River Dee
Life as Mum went for a boat ride on the River Dee past posh houses and holiday homes in Chester. They were able to spot rowing boats, and speed boats from their 30-minute boat ride.
London Duck Tour
The London Duck Tour takes passengers on a 75 minute ‘Amphibious Adventure’ around London, including the excitement of driving off the road into the river. At just over an hour long, the tour is fast-moving, exciting and just the right length of time to keep even the most fidgety toddler happy. Read Kiddieholidays review for some tips about taking toddlers on this fantastic day out in London.
The Royal Yacht Brittania
A few years ago we visited Her Majesty’s floating Royal residence – the Royal Yacht Britania, which is a visitor attraction in Edinburgh, and perfect for toddlers to explore on a day out.
Jurassic Coastal Cruise
Entertaining Elliot cruised along the coastline on a day out with a toddler (Elliot), taking in the beautiful views of Old Harry Rocks (said to be named after infamous Poole pirate Harry Paye) – these mark the most easterly point of the Jurassic Coastline. Sometimes dolphins can be spotted in these waters.
Cable Cars
The Heights of Abraham
The Heights of Abraham is Derbyshire’s oldest visitor attraction. The first visitors used to walk up the steep path to the top of the High Tor hill, but nowadays visitors get a cable car to the top, where they are rewarded with over 60 acres of woodlands and gardens to explore. Toddlers will be really excited to take the 7-minute-long cable car ride to the top of the hill, and have a lot of fun in the playground, too. There’s a lot of useful information in this article by Kiddieholidays if you are taking a day out with a toddler in the Peak District!
Tanks
The Tank Museum – Dorset
The Tank Museum, located in Bovington Dorset, is a museum where you can find the world’s best collection of tanks! A transport-loving toddler will be in their element, according to this account by Entertaining Elliot! There are 8 exhibits and over 300 vehicles, and also a tank-shaped soft play! If you visit on a bank holiday, you might be lucky enough to catch the Tanks in Action display in the large outside area. Even better, there is a free annual pass included in the entry fee so you can return to the museum as many times as you like within the year.
Aeroplanes
Sunderland Air Museum
We visited the North East Land, Sea, and Air Museum, in Sunderland, and discovered a huge hangar full of planes and vehicles. You can pretend to fly a plane, and look at the models and real planes.
Days out with a transport-mad toddler!
I hope that you’ve been able to find a day out near you that your transport-mad toddler can enjoy!
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What a fab selection of days out! We must try some more of these
Cat x