Wensleydale Railway

The Wensleydale Railway runs a heritage service along a branch line that once stretched 22 miles from Northallerton to Redmire, reopened to passengers in 2003. In season the trains run west from Leeming Bar through Bedale and Finghall to Leyburn, a ride into the lower dale with Leyburn's market place at the far end for lunch. An adult return to Leyburn is 20, and a child travels for 1.

From mid-November to Christmas the line turns into something else. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride leaves from Leeming Bar, and it sold out last year with more than 50,000 guests. The Conductor and the chefs from the film sing the songs as the story is acted out, guests are invited to come in pyjamas, and Santa hands each child the first gift of Christmas, a sleigh bell. It is the reason most families from Thirsk will visit this winter.

From Tea Time Cafe at 87 Market Place, Leeming Bar station is about 30 minutes by car, just off the A1(M). Coming from the A1, cross the level crossing and turn right into the car park; from the A684, turn left before the crossing. For the Polar Express, parking is bought as a separate ticket when you book, so add it at checkout rather than turning up without one.

Car-free, take the train from Thirsk to Northallerton, then the 73 or 53 bus from by Northallerton station to Leeming Bar on weekdays and Saturdays, or the 856 on Sundays. Check the times both ways before you set out, particularly for an evening Polar Express departure.

This winter, the thing to do is THE POLAR EXPRESS. It runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 13 November to 13 December, then every day from Friday 18 to Wednesday 23 December. There are up to six departures a day, from 10.40am at weekends and 12.25pm on Fridays, through to 7.30pm. Tickets include hot chocolate and a cookie for everyone over two. After Christmas, mince pie trains run on 28 and 29 December behind steam and on 30 December behind a diesel.

In the normal season, which ran from February to the end of October in 2026, buy a ticket at the Leeming Bar booking office, grab a drink from the buffet coach on the platform and ride out to Leyburn. Bedale is the first stop, three pounds from Leeming Bar, and Finghall comes before Leyburn. An all-line Ranger at 25 lets you hop on and off all day, and some services start at Scruton, east of Leeming Bar.

The Polar Express is the big draw, a full production on a real train in the Yorkshire countryside, and the sleigh bell from Santa comes home with every child. On the scheduled service, the fares are the standout: a child for a pound and a dog for the same make it an easy family day. Leyburn, at the end of the line, makes a good lunch stop before the train back.

Book THE POLAR EXPRESS as early as you can. When we checked on 7 November, Friday 18 and Wednesday 23 December had already sold out, and many late November and December weekend departures had gone too. The cheapest tickets, at 35.95, are on the early November Friday departures, and the dearest, at 57.95, are the December afternoons and evenings. Remember to add parking when you book. Under-2s sitting on a lap pay 5 and get a bell from Santa, though no hot chocolate or cookie. For the scheduled trains next season, locals can take 25 per cent off with the RES code and proof of address, and children aged 3 to 15 travel for a pound each with a paying adult. The Co-op opposite Leeming Bar station has a cash machine. 2027 running dates were not out at the time of writing, so check the railway's running days page before planning a summer trip.