Accessibility Statement

The Lincolnshire Wolds Railway is an historic standard gauge railway with old carriages, set in the rural Lincolnshire Wolds. Everyone is welcome at the railway & greeted with a friendly smile.

Own transport is required as public transport is very limited and the main road is around 1 mile away.

Brown tourist signs direct traffic from the nearby main roads.

Car Parking

Parking is only available at Ludborough station, it is open on running dates and is situated across from the station. There is no car parking facilities at North Thoresby station.

The car park is a grassed area with a gravel track along the centre. We have disabled car parking spaces directly to the left as you pull into the car park.

Passengers can also be dropped off directly outside the gate to the station, but cars must not be left here, it is only for dropping off.

Visitors must not block or park on the grass verge or the parking area of the cottage adjacent to the station.

The car park can get muddy in wet conditions.

Platform Access

We have an opening gate which gives access onto Ludborough station, then an inclined slope onto the platform – handrail is provided to assist.

The platform is level with paved slabs and a painted white line on the drop edge. The platform gives access to our ticket office, gift shop and café facilities. Our toilet facilities are situated on the platform north of the main platform, crossing the level crossing.

Seating Area’s

We have various areas for sitting / resting. We have a picnic area located on our north platform near the toilet block, we have benches on the main platform and we have a covered waiting area next to the gift shop with bench type seating.

Ticket Office / Gift Shop & Museum

Tickets are purchased from the ticket office window at the side of the gift shop accessed on the platform.

The gift shop & small museum is accessed from the platform by a wooden decked ramp. The shop & museum has limited space which can accommodate one wheelchair at any one time.

Toilet Facilities

An accessible toilet with a outward opening door is available at Ludborough on our north platform at the main toilet block. This is equipped with grab rails, a lever tap, paper towels, hand soap and sanitiser.

Baby changing facilities are available within the accessible toilet.

Ladies and Gents toilets are also here at the main toilet block accessed through individual marked doors.

Toilets are available onboard the train, but due to the age of the carriages, these are small and not wheelchair accessible. We only recommended these be used in desperate need and while out of the stations.

No toilet facilities are available at North Thoresby.

Travelling onboard the train

We operate a fleet of historic carriages which have a step up to gain access, the doors are single narrow doors. The design of heritage rolling stock have narrow aisles and corridors, so wheelchair access is not possible along the train.

We have space available for customers with mobility impairments including some wheelchair spaces within our guards van which has easier access through double doors giving access to a comfortable open area with chairs.

A ramp is carried onboard the train & we do have portable access steps available. Our friendly volunteers are on hand to help you to access the trains – please ask a member of staff for assistance.

Access to all the carriages can be made at any door as you can walk thorough each carriage.

Engine Shed

The engine shed is not normally open to the general public except on a guided tour accompanied by a member of staff, this is due to the nature of the building and safety reasons with it been a working environment.

The path to the engine shed is narrow and rough, halfway along turns into a grassy path which is bumpy so therefore not currently suitable for wheelchair access. The engine shed is accessed through a narrow door & has narrow aisles and an oily floor, and the presence of pits and locomotive parts all around.

Food & Drink

You are welcome to bring your own food and drink, this can be eaten in our picnic area or onboard the train. We do ask you clear up after yourselves and place the rubbish in the bins on site.

We have our Steaming Kettle Café located on the main platform, this is two converted old carriages so therefore these are narrow in width.

Access is via a single door up a step, we do have a ramp available at the far end double door giving wheelchair access into a comfortable open area with tables and chairs provided. Our volunteers will be on hand to serve you and take your order.

Play Area

We have a fenced children’s play area within the car park. Please supervise children using this facility.

Dog Friendly

We love welcoming our furry friends to the railway. Assistance dogs are allowed in all areas.

Pet dogs are welcome in all areas except our gift shop, however our friendly volunteers are on hand to look after your dog while you browse the gift shop and we have a fence to tie up your dogs aswell.

We have a dog friendly area in our café so you can sit in with them, access to this area is via the far end door.

Dogs are welcome in our dog friendly carriages onboard & they may get a treat if they’re well behaved!!

Dog water is provided on the platform.