1 The Swindon and Cricklade Railway needs little introduction, as it has been a favourite local visitor attraction for the best part of four decades. Proud of its status as the only standard-gauge railway of its kind in the county, the railway has a fleet of historic steam and diesel locomotives, and offers passengers a four-and-a-half-mile round trip along a lovingly-restored section of the old Midland and South Western Junction Railway. Its main station at Blunsdon houses a railway museum. For full details, visit swindon-cricklade-railway.org

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2 Coate Water Miniature Railway - www.nwmes.info - is run by North Wilts Model Engineering Society and has been delighting visitors to Coate Water for more than half a century. Its narrow-gauge locomotives draw passengers along about a mile of track which loops through beautiful woodland. Check the website for information about the volunteer-run railway’s schedule.

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3 Many heritage and miniature railways offer passengers interesting views, but British ones don’t generally include hippos among the passing scenery. Longleat Railway, part of the large and historic Warminster visitor attraction is a little different. In addition to hippos, visitors might be able to spot some of Longleat’s California sealions. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes from 11am until shortly before the park closes. The route includes the park’s large lake and extensive woodland. The narrow gauge line covers more than a mile and has been in operation since 1965. Its website is www.longleat.co.uk/main-square/longleat-railway

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4 Perrygrove Railway, south of Coleford in Gloucestershire, is an award-winning heritage narrow-gauge railway laid out on farmland. In addition to enjoying the steam-hauled 30-minute trips, the railway has a number of stops where visitors can step off for a picnic or to explore a variety of family-oriented attractions including an adventure centre, an indoor village and woods ripe for den-building. www.perrygrove.co.uk

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5 Bristol Harbour Railway - www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/train-rides - was built by the Great Western Railway in 1870 and for many years served the needs of the busy port. Operating from the old M Shed, which is a fascinating museum in its own right, the railway runs 15-minute steam-hauled round trips.

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6 Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company -www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk - operates what is easily one of the nation’s most picturesque heritage railways. Its most popular trip, the Round Robin, involves a 30-minute steam-hauled train ride along the south Devon coast and into the Dart Valley, a 90-minute boat trip along the River Dart and a return by bus.

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7 Dartmoor Railway - www.dartmoorrailway.com - is a heritage line operating from Okehampton in Devon. It is home not only to heritage services but regular freight and passenger operation along more than 15 miles of line. Heritage services feature a variety of historic diesel locomotives.

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8 With nearly 23 miles of track, the West Somerset Railway - www.dartmoorrailway.com - is the longest standard gauge heritage operation in the country. Once a branch of the old Great Western Railway, it passed into the control of British Rail, was closed in 1971 and revived as a heritage line a few years later. Based in Minehead, the railway has 10 stations and has a fleet of historic steam and diesel locomotives. Various ticket deals are available, and the website has details of an ever-changing selection of special events.

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9 Bitton Station in South Gloucestershire is the headquarters of the Avon Valley Railway, whose three miles or so of track were once part of the old Midland Railway’s splendidly-named Mangotsfield and Bath Branch Line. The line was in use by British Rail before the huge network cuts of the 1960s, and the heritage section was restored by enthusiasts. Generally open at weekends, the railway attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year.

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10 As its name suggests, Dean Forest Railway - www.deanforestrailway.co.uk - takes visitors through part of the historic forest. Running between Lydney and Parkend, and with three stations between, the railway was once part of a branch line and retains the atmosphere of train travel as it once was.

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