Located on the outskirts of Southport Pleasureland, the Lakeside Miniature Railway is a firm favourite of visitors to the theme park. Filled with history, this miniature train ride is a memorable experience for kids (and some adults too!) and is the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful scenery and more as a family.
Read on to learn everything there is to know about our miniature railway ride.
The history of our miniature railway ride
The miniature railway is the oldest continuously running 15-inch gauge railway in the world! The track was originally built in 1911 by Mr GV Llewelyn and went by the name of ‘Llewelyn’s Miniature Railway’. On 17th May 1911, the first steam train ran and continued to run for over 30 years.
In 1945, the track was sold to Harry Barlow where it was renamed to the ‘Lakeside Miniature Railway’. It was at this time that the first petrol-driven trains began to run on the track. 20 years later, the miniature railway was sold to John Spencer in 1968 and then eventually to Don Clark and Graham Leeming in 2001.
The current owner, Norman Wallis, bought the track in 2016 and is now a popular attraction of Southport Pleasureland. Since owning the historic track, Norman began a refurbishment project which has seen an impressive improvement to not only the track itself, but also its surroundings.
Our miniature railway ride in the present day
The Lakeside Miniature Railway runs between Pleasureland Station and Marine Parade Station and is a total of 1.5km long. The route features gorgeous and iconic landscapes such as the Marine Lake seafront and the Southport Pier.
For the train enthusiasts out there, the train features a collection of past and present locomotives including the Duke of Edinburgh (1950), the Golden Jubilee (1963), the Princess Anne (1971) and the Jenny (2006).
As mentioned, there’s lots to see and do when you hop on for a train ride. You can enjoy a bite to eat or indulge in a scrumptious ice cream at our lovely cafe situated right next to the track. Or if you stay on for a little longer, you can go for a spin on our carousel and helter skelter which are situated further up the track.
So if you’re visiting Southport Pleasureland over the upcoming school holidays, a ride on the Lakeside Miniature Railway is an absolute must. You don’t need to book tickets, simply hop on when you’re ready. Take a closer look at ticket prices here.
