We had a fantastic afternoon on board the heritage train from Bolton Abbey to Embsay. Afternoon tea was served as soon as we sat down. You can enjoy the treats as the train heads towards Embsay. There, they stop for about 15-20 mins to give you time to walk around the platform, before getting back on the train for the return journey. The experience lasts an hour and it goes super quick!! The Bolton Abbey station has plenty of parking, coffee shop, gift shop and toilets

Had the first class breakfast. Although the steam train wasn’t running we were told in advance it would be a heritage diesel train pulling us. However the service and food made up for the slight disappointment of not being pulled by steam. Lovely carriages and seating, with good food and great service. We loved it so much we’ve booked for the afternoon tea too!

Lovely steam train. The carriages were welcoming and it was easy to identify our seats. Dogs are allowed in the non dinning carriage. The journey was quite short and slow, however it gave us time to admire the views of sheep and their lambs, rabbits in the fields also cows and their calfs. I thought the price was about right for the journey and it was a nice big FREE carpark. There is a cafe on the platform and public toilets/lavatories, which we're clean and had hot running water and plenty of soap.

I had a fantastic visit to the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. On arrival, the car park was plentiful, which immediately made the start of the day feel easy and stress‑free. The station building at Embsay was a lovely surprise — authentically heated by a coal fire, which was very much appreciated on a damp and drizzly day. It added a real sense of atmosphere and warmth before the journey even began. The staff were friendly, helpful, and clearly passionate about what they do, and the whole station was clean, tidy and spacious. We travelled to Bolton Abbey in a beautiful coach, complete with a table and what felt like steam heating. It made the short journey — around 20 minutes — feel cosy and nostalgic. Stopping at the passing loop to let the other train go by was a nice touch too, adding a bit of operational interest to the trip. There’s a relatively quick turnaround at Bolton Abbey, so if you’re planning to visit the café there, it’s definitely worth choosing a later train. We decided to head back and grab a drink at Embsay instead. The on‑platform buffet is compact but perfectly complete, offering hot and cold drinks, cakes and sandwiches — ideal for rounding off the visit. Overall, it was a brilliant experience from start to finish. A charming heritage railway that’s clearly cared for, and well worth a visit for anyone who enjoys steam, scenery, or simply a nostalgic day out.

Ok, we liked our first experience so much....we thought we'd try the Fawlty Towers one. Great performances with lots of adlib, which take you back to a different era....if you're sadly old enough. Staff, volunteers, trains, stations and views all lovely. Parking, access and facilities are all very good. It is a very pleasant way of spending an afternoon. The food was grand, prepared and served on the train by hard working staff while the performance continued. Well done, everyone!