I took the kids for a train ride this Easter and it was chaos

With my two young nieces to entertain and nothing but damp, grey skies, I knew I couldn't rely on the weather to offer a fun day outdoors this Easter.

While looking for options for a rainy day, I discovered the East Lancashire Railway was offering a Travel to Wonderland Experience. As a huge Alice in Wonderland fan myself I knew it would be a win, win, for us.

We made our way to our platform, which looked just like something out of a story book, with beautiful vintage signage and pretty seating areas. There was a delightful cafe where we picked up some lunch to eat on the train. The Buffet cafe offered a child’s packed lunch for a very reasonable £5.50 and it included a well filled ham sandwich, crisp, juice and chocolates - it was a hit with the girls. I sampled a meat pie, which was delicious. With buttery soft pastry and perfectly seasoned beef.

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We found our seats onboard our waiting steam train - it was a beauty - and we settled down ready to start our adventure. The children got busy with Wonderland activity booklets and crayons that were left out for them.

Then all a sudden the chaos kicked in. From nowhere, the Mad Hatter joined our carriage. He was loud, brash and chaotic. His costume was so bright and fun, his makeup was perfect and his top hat crazy. He chatted to the passengers and got the children involved with his magic tricks and talked about the fearful no nonsense Queen of Hearts and offered solid advice, “You must let her win at croquet.”

We met the March Hare next, and then it was Alice, perfect Alice. Looking every bit the fairytale character, she gracefully darted round the carriage while speaking in a melodic tone to the children and their grown ups, encouraging the children to use their imagination, looking for the Cheshire Cat.

About an hour into our journey we stopped at Rawtenstall, and that is where we encountered the Queen of Hearts. On the platform with children around her, she bossily taught the children all the important elements of playing croquet, and talked about her favourite flamingo that she uses as a mallet. During our break at Rawtenstall, there was time to sit down with a drink or a snack, and chat to the characters on the platform.

We then boarded the train for the journey back, during which we met Hare’s sleepy dormouse, and Alice introduced us to the Cheshire Cat. It was a brilliant afternoon - chaos of the very best kind - and such a unique way to entertain the children.

Travel to Wonderland is back on at ELR on August 9 and 11. Tickets cost £20 per adult, or £17.50 for children and include free entry into the Bury Transport Museum.

East Lancashire Railway offer a selection of other children’s events in coming months:

Day out with Thomas, 4 - 6 May, 3 - 4 August, 5 - 6 October.

The Dino Adventure, 15 and 28 August

The Wizarding Adventure, 19, 30 May, 16, 29 August, 23 October

For more details, or to book, visit the website.