Looking for a special day out this May half term? Hop on board the North Yorkshire Moors Railway – one of Britain’s most beloved heritage railways – for a week of unforgettable family adventures! With interactive activities, imaginative play, and thrilling bird encounters, young adventurers will be engaged all week long. Plus, enjoy the added bonus of the special autocar services. Here’s what’s heading your way this May half term.

Ride the Rails and Meet the Autocar

Hop on a classic heritage train and experience the golden age of rail travel. Also running is the historic autocar – don’t miss the chance to see this unique piece of railway history in action!

Brickin’ It Workshops – Create and Construct – Pickering Station Classroom – 24th and 25th May

Let imagination run wild at the Brickin’ It Workshops, hosted by brought to you by Bricks McGee. Get stuck into one of the Rail200 or Mini Engineer workshops and test your building skills with the construction challenges. Various sessions take place over the weekend, and booking is required. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian during the activity.

Art Day – Get Creative! – Pickering Station Classroom – 26th May, 10am to 2pm

Little artists, this one’s for you. Join a self-led Art Day and design your own railway-inspired masterpiece. It’s the perfect opportunity to enter the Railway 200 writing and art competition. They provide the materials, you bring the creativity.

Train Time Stay & Play – Imagine, Build, Explore – Pickering Station Classroom – 27th and 28th May, 11am – 4pm

Step into a world of trains, tracks, and make-believe! The interactive play space is perfect for budding train conductors. With hands-on activities and plenty of space to play, your little ones can let their imaginations soar.

Birds of Prey – Up Close with Nature – Pickering Station – 31st May, 9.30am – 4.30pm

Experience the thrill of meeting majestic owls, hawks, and falcons at this static display by Whitby Falconers. It’s free to view, with a small charge if you’d like to handle one of these magnificent birds.

Railway 200 Writing & Art Competition – Share Your Story

Join the nationwide Railway 200 celebration by entering an exciting writing and art competition. Whether it’s a steam-powered adventure story, a time-traveling train painting, or a heartfelt railway poem, we want to see your ideas take flight. Deadline: 2nd November 2025. Full details and how to enter

Rail 200 Spring Trail – 40 Fun Things to Discover

All throughout spring, join us on the Rail 200 Trail, part of the NYMR’s year-long celebration of 200 years of railways. Start your journey with the Spring Trail and see how many of the 40 fun activities your family can tick off. So, whether you’re raising a mini engineer, a budding artist, or just looking for a unique family day out, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is the perfect place to make lasting memories this half term. For full details go to nymr.co.uk/halfterm

This is a promotional feature in partnership with our friends at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway