Lincolnshire Wolds Railway
Volunteer-run heritage railway at Ludborough with steam and diesel trains to North Thoresby, a small railway museum, a buffet and a gift shop.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Lincolnshire Wolds Railway runs on part of the East Lincolnshire line, which was part of the Great Northern route and opened to passengers on 1 March 1848. British Rail closed the last section of the line in 1980, and a preservation society was formed with the aim of restoring it.
Today the railway is run entirely by volunteers as a registered heritage charity. Heritage steam and diesel trains run for 1¾ miles between Ludborough and North Thoresby, and the base is Ludborough Station. The railway is operated by Great Northern and East Lincolnshire Railway Ltd, with fundraising by the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway Society.
Besides ordinary running days, the railway offers dining trains, themed days, Santa specials and footplate and signal box experiences. A small museum beside the gift shop shows artefacts from the East Lincolnshire railway. Restored locomotives include Lion, a green Peckett saddle tank. Volunteers are working to extend the line south towards Louth.
Highlights
- Heritage steam and diesel trains between Ludborough and North Thoresby
- Restored locomotives including the Peckett saddle tank Lion
- Small museum of East Lincolnshire railway artefacts at Ludborough Station
- Steaming Kettle Buffet in a static coach on the platform
- Dining trains, Santa specials and themed days
Permanent exhibition
- East Lincolnshire railway museum – A small museum next to the gift shop at Ludborough Station with artefacts from the East Lincolnshire line.
- Operated by
- Great Northern & East Lincolnshire Railway Ltd
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £4Concessions (not defined on the site) |
| Children & teens | £3free up to age 2 · Ages 12 and under, single ticket Ludborough to North Thoresby; Day Rover £6. Children under 3 travel free. |
| Groups (20+ people) | –Groups of 20 or more get £1 off each ticket, and coach drivers travel free. |
| Families | £30Family Day Rover: 2 adults and up to 4 children. |
| Day Rover, adult | £10All-day unlimited hop-on hop-off travel; concession £8, child (12 and under) £6. |
| Dog | £1Single ticket or Day Rover. |
| Cream tea special, per person | £20Dining train on selected Sundays; advance booking required. |
| Fish and chip evening special, per person | £30Dining train on selected dates; advance booking required. |
Single ticket prices are for one journey from Ludborough to North Thoresby (adult £5, concession £4, child £3). Santa Specials, dining trains and experiences must be booked in advance.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Ludborough Station is reached through a gate and an inclined slope with a handrail, and the platform is level with paved slabs. Wheelchair spaces are in the guard's van, reached through double doors; a ramp and portable steps are carried on board. The historic carriages have a step up and narrow doors, and the engine shed is not suitable for wheelchairs. The gift shop and small museum have a wooden ramp but room for only one wheelchair at a time, and the buffet has a ramp at the far double door. An accessible toilet with baby changing is on the north platform at Ludborough; North Thoresby has no toilets. Disabled parking is directly to the left as you enter the car park. Volunteers help passengers board, and assistance dogs are allowed in all areas.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £30 · Family Day Rover: 2 adults and up to 4 children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Baby changing facilities
A family Day Rover ticket is available, and themed days such as Teddy Bears' Day, Pirates of Ludborough, Halloween trains and Santa Specials are aimed at children. Baby changing is in the accessible toilet.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Public transport to Ludborough Station is very limited, and the railway lists no bus or rail connections.
By car
Free parking
Free parking is in a grassed car park opposite Ludborough Station, which can become muddy in wet weather. Disabled spaces are directly to the left as you enter. North Thoresby station has no parking.
- Accessible parking
The station is signposted from the nearby main roads by brown tourist signs, and the main road is about 1 mile away. Cars can drop off passengers outside the station gate but must not be left there.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Steaming Kettle Buffet in a static coach on the platform serves hot food, snacks and light refreshments, and has a dog-friendly area. The gift shop sells postcards, badges and toys.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | A round trip takes about 40 minutes, and visitors with an all-day ticket can easily spend a few hours or a full day. A guided engine shed tour is available. Admission to the small railway museum beside the gift shop is included with a visit. Footplate and signal box experiences must be booked in advance. Dogs are welcome in dog-friendly carriages. |
