Whistlestop Valley in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, is a great day out for families with young children. Home to the Kirklees Light Railway, kids will love riding the steam train and watching it chug along the track. With plenty of other attractions and events too, there’s enough here to spend most of the day.
Tickets and Opening Times:
Tickets can be purchased for ‘Little Adventure’ and ‘Big Adventure’. The Big Adventure includes unlimited access to all attractions at Whistlestop Valley, while the Little Adventure tickets allow access to everything but do not include a steam train ride on the light railway. Click here for more information on ticket prices.
Whistlestop Valley opens most weekends and Bank Holidays, as well as most days in the school holidays. Click here to check opening times.
Parking/ Travelling:
There is a large free car park at Whistlestop Valley at Clayton West Station, which is where most of the attractions are. There is no parking at Shelley Station, which is the end of the line for the steam train, but walkers can arrive there.
If catching the bus, the D1 Denby Darts can be caught from Huddersfield bus station to Clayton West, or the X1 Holmfirth Explorer can be caught from Wakefield bus station to Clayton West. Click here for bus timetables.
The nearest mainline train station is Denby Dale Railway Station. This is about 3 miles away, but a bus can be caught from here to Clayton West.
Prams and Accessibility:
All areas of Whistlestop Valley are pram friendly and wheelchair accessible. Prams must be folded to fit in the train, or they can be left in the buggy parking at Clayton West Station.
There is an accessible carriage, though it is advised to email in advance to book this. Alternatively, foldable wheelchairs can also be taken on the train.
Things to do at Whistlestop Valley:
1. Ride the Steam Train
Climb aboard the steam train at Whistlestop Valley and enjoy a charming journey through beautiful Yorkshire countryside. As the locomotive gently chuffs along the line, you’ll pass rolling green views and spot the iconic Emley Moor Mast rising in the distance. The highlight of the ride is the thrilling trip through the longest tunnel on any 15-inch gauge railway in Britain, adding a touch of adventure to this relaxing and family-friendly experience.
2. Visit Clayton West Station
Clayton West Station is packed with fun for all ages, making it the perfect place to spend time off the train. Children will love the colourful carousel, the exciting crazy golf course, and the ever-popular Pillow – a covered bouncy trampoline that’s great fun in any weather. There’s also a miniature ride-on railway and well-equipped playgrounds to explore, while adults can relax in the café or browse the gift shop for a special souvenir to remember the day.
3. Visit Shelley Station
At the end of the Kirklees Light Railway Line, Shelley Station is a lovely place to visit. Here there is a dessert parlour, another playground and in Summer there are frequently other activities to take part in here. When I visited, there was a Punch and Judy show and lots of circus equipment to play with!
4. Attend an Event
Throughout the year, there is always lots happening at Whistlestop Valley. Thomas the Tank Engine makes frequent visits, the school holidays are jam packed with extra fun, and there is always a dinosaur event to look forward to. At Halloween, you can catch a ghost train, and Santa always visits at Christmas. Click here to check out their event webpage.
Things to do nearby:
Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a brilliant family day out in West Yorkshire, just a short drive from Leeds and Wakefield. Set in over 500 acres of beautiful parkland, it’s packed with striking sculptures, woodland trails, and open space to explore. There’s plenty to spark kids’ imaginations, and it’s easy to spend a full day adventuring here.
2. Cannon Hall Farm
Cannon Hall Farm, located in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, is a working farm with a massive variety of activities to keep the kids entertained. With hundreds of animals, multiple adventure playgrounds, activities and events, you could easily spend all day here.
Don’t miss Cannon Hall Museum and gardens too, which are separate from the farm and have free admission.
3. Wentworth Castle and Gardens
This National Trust property in South Yorkshire is a fantastic spot for families to explore together. There are lots of things for little ones to spot, from statues and follies to wildlife and winding trails, so you can easily spend several happy hours there without running out of adventures. Whether you’re packing a picnic or just fancy a wander, it’s a day out that offers something for everyone.
