As mentioned in our review of Scarborough North Bay Railway we love miniature railways and the one in the village of Gilling East is a particular favourite.  It’s on a different scale (pardon the pun) to Scarborough and runs in a giant loop around the grounds of the former village school.  The engines are all perfect replicas of real locomotives, both steam and diesel, and you hitch a ride by sitting on the roofs of the scale carriages.

We found it by chance a couple of years ago when we passed a small sign advertising it off the B1363 York to Helmsley Road. The railway is operated by a friendly group of volunteer enthusiasts from the Ryedale Society of Model Engineers and runs most Sundays from Easter through to the end of September.

Train rides are available from 12 – 4.30pm. Tickets cost 50p each or £2.50 for 6 rides – one ride is never enough. There is a free car park and plenty of room for picnics.

They also have a splendid clubhouse, recently built with Lottery funding, which serves refreshment.  Tea, coffee, soft drinks, crisps, chocolate and ice cream are available with hot drinks costing just 50p.

Ryedale Society of Model Engineers.