Quick answer
The North Bay Railway is a miniature railway in Scarborough, running between Peasholm Station and Scalby Mills Station beside the SEA LIFE Centre. On 13 November 2026 its calendar showed regular trains only on 14, 15, 21 and 22 November. It showed no regular trains from 23 November to 26 December. Christmas Light Trains run at 6pm on 4, 5 and 11 December. Santa Specials run on 12, 13, 19, 20, 23 and 24 December, and advance booking is essential. A regular child return costs £5.49, and under 2s ride free. The FAQ says the railway has no toilets or baby changing, with public toilets a 2 minute walk from Peasholm Station. The accessibility page mentions one passenger toilet at Scalby Mills.
Is it right for my child?
- The ride: a 30-minute, 2-mile return journey around Northstead Manor Gardens, before running parallel to the North Bay.
- The trains: the 20 inch gauge line has run since 1931 and calls itself Britain’s biggest miniature railway. Heritage steam outline diesel locomotives pull the trains.
- On board: children can pick up a free Percy the Cat activity sheet and spot landmarks.
- In the rain: the carriages are semi-open, with roofs for the less pleasant days. Wrap up warm.
- Lakeside rides: the Skytrail, water chute and boats are Lakeside Attractions. The calendar marked them closed on every running day from 7 November to 1 January.
- Supervision: children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Check the calendar for your date. On 13 November most days to 26 December were marked Closed.
- Bring a card, phone or watch to pay. The railway is cashless.
- Buy regular train tickets on the day. Only the Santa Specials must be booked in advance.
- Arrive at the station about 10 minutes before your train, as the FAQ advises.
- Plan a toilet stop before you board.
Prices and tickets
The prices page listed these regular train fares on 13 November 2026.
- Adult: £5.99 return, £4.49 single.
- Child aged 2 to 15: £5.49 return, £3.99 single.
- Under 2s: free. Dogs: £1.50 each.
- Discounts: Blue Light Card holders get 10% off train tickets, so show your card when buying. There is no carer discount.
- Ticket rules: tickets are non-transferable, non-refundable and valid only on the day of purchase. You can split a journey and use the rest of your ticket that day.
- Christmas Light Trains: on 13 November the ticket shop listed one ticket type, a Lights Ticket at £8.50. It showed no separate child or infant price.
- Santa Specials: on 13 November the shop listed Adult £16.95 and Child (12 months to 16 years) £20.45. An infant under 12 months costs £11.95 with a gift, or is free without one.
- Passes: the Santa page says no concessions, passes or promotions are valid. The terms say season passes and money-off vouchers are not valid on any special events.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- On the train: space for wheelchairs, prams, pushchairs and mobility scooters is limited, first come, first served.
- Peasholm Station: a level footpath off Burniston Road leads to the ticket office. The building and platform are wheelchair accessible.
- Scalby Mills Station: reach it by steps from the SEA LIFE Centre car park. There is also an access ramp up the hill, south of the SEA LIFE Centre.
- Toilets: the FAQ says there are none, with public toilets a 2 minute walk from Peasholm Station. The accessibility page names pay on entry public toilets in the Burniston Road Car Park.
- Two pages differ: the accessibility page says Scalby Mills has one passenger toilet, opened by staff on request. It may not be open in off-peak seasons.
- Baby changing: the FAQ says there is none.
Food and drink
Sidings Snack Shack at Peasholm Station serves breakfast buns, burgers, jacket potatoes, drinks, slushies, ice cream and cream teas. Its page says it opens on all operating days, with last food orders one hour before the last train. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
Turntable Tearoom at Scalby Mills serves snacks, drinks and light refreshments. Its shop and café are up one step, but outside seating has a serving hatch onto the platform. Ask any outlet’s team for allergen information.
Getting there and parking
- Address: Peasholm Station, Burniston Road, Scarborough YO12 6PF. Scalby Mills Station uses YO12 6RP.
- Where it is: Peasholm Station is in Northstead Manor Gardens, over the road from the bottom of Peasholm Park. Scalby Mills Station is above the SEA LIFE Centre car park.
- By car: follow the brown signs for North Bay Attractions. A large pay and display car park sits opposite Peasholm Station, and another at the bottom of the Scalby Mills ramp. The FAQ says North Yorkshire Council operates this parking.
- By train: Scarborough Station has direct TransPennine Express trains to York. The railway’s pages give no walking time from the station.
When to visit
These dates come from the official calendar, event pages and ticket shop, as read on 13 November 2026.
- Regular trains: 14, 15, 21 and 22 November 2026, every 40 minutes. The timetable listed Peasholm departures from 10.40am to 3.20pm, and Scalby Mills departures from 11am to 3.40pm.
- No regular trains: 23 November to 26 December, apart from the Christmas events below.
- Christmas Light Trains: 6pm on Friday 4, Saturday 5 and Friday 11 December 2026. The illuminated train runs through the dark, past woodland and tunnels and alongside the beach.
- Santa Specials: 12, 13, 19, 20, 23 and 24 December 2026. The shop listed departures from 12pm to 4.40pm on 12 and 13 December.
- After Christmas: regular trains again from 27 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, then Closed from 2 January.
- A clash to know about: the home page says the railway is “now open every day”, but the calendar shows the closed days above. Follow the calendar.
- Weather: the terms say services may be cancelled without notice due to bad weather or train breakdowns.
Additional needs and disability support
The railway publishes an accessibility statement and offers the support below.
- Wheelchair carriage: every train has a specially built carriage for two wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
- Boarding help: ask the Guard. Any lifting of a disabled person is the carer’s responsibility, and carers must be of sufficient age and fitness.
- Guide dogs: free on all trains.
- Santa Specials: there is no wheelchair access to the Santa Special Experience. Where possible, staff will help guests who can transfer to and from the train.
- Not offered: there is no carer discount. The official pages do not mention sensory guides, quiet sessions or a Changing Places toilet.
Frequently asked questions
Is the North Bay Railway open in winter?
Only on set dates. On 13 November 2026 the calendar showed regular trains on 14, 15, 21 and 22 November, then 27 December to 1 January. The Christmas events run on the December dates above.
How long is the North Bay Railway ride?
The FAQ says the full return journey takes 30 minutes: 10 minutes each way, with a 10-minute stop in between.
Do you need to book the North Bay Railway?
Not for regular trains, which are bought on the day of travel. Santa Specials must be booked in advance, and many departures sell out each year.
What happens on a Santa Special?
Families ride the ‘Jingle Belle’ and meet Santa one to one in his grotto. Children get a gift matched to the age category you pick when booking, and an infant ticket without a gift is free. Bring your order confirmation.
Can I take a pushchair or wheelchair on the train?
Yes, but space is limited and first come, first served. There is no wheelchair access to the Santa Special Experience.
Can dogs ride the North Bay Railway?
Yes, on regular trains, for £1.50 a dog, kept on a short lead. Only assistance dogs may go to the Santa Specials.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official timetable, prices, FAQ, accessibility, Christmas Light Trains, Santa Specials and terms pages of the Scarborough North Bay Railway, and its ticket shop. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
