I tried Thomas Cook’s first ever package holiday 185 years after it launched
DID you know the first package holiday was actually in the UK, nearly 200 years ago?
My boys aged 13, 11 and six are all big steam train fans and we’ve had some amazing days out on heritage railways around the country.
But what we didn’t realise riding the rails here in the Midlands, is that we were retracing a route that replicates the one chosen by package holiday pioneer Thomas Cook for his first ever excursion, some 185 years ago.
The stretch of track he used became so popular in Victorian times that a new line was eventually built to get passengers about, and you can still board heritage trains on the Great Central Railway today.
Nowadays, holidays offered by tour operators are all about flying abroad, fun in the sun and food and drink on tap.
But back then, a train trip between Leicester and Loughborough launched the concept of paying once and having all your needs met.
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About 500 passengers paid a shilling each for the trip, which included travel, refreshments and entertainment from a brass band.
Booze was a no-no as Thomas Cook and his first tourists were part of the temperance movement – it’s safe to say that things have moved on a bit since that first package holiday in 1841…
One thing that remains the same is that the Great Central Railway still offers a great family-friendly day out, with steam and diesel trains running on its eight-mile line between Leicester North and Loughborough.
If you’re looking for something to do over February halfterm, it’s the perfect option as it’s fantastic fun in all weathers and for all generations.
It’s lovely getting all cosy inside an old-fashioned carriage, enjoying the great British countryside passing by your window.
Some of our best trips have actually been on rainy days as the train tracks run alongside fields, woodland and even Swithland Reservoir so there is lots of wildlife to spot, without getting wet.
There are several old stations en route where you can hop on and off to enjoy kids’ activities, model railways, cafes and lots of heritage touches that bring the golden age of rail travel back to life.
Kids can ride for a quid at some points throughout the year and last year there was also a cut-price ticket for locals, so if you time your visit right or live nearby, you can bag a bargain day out.
There’s a couple of things you’ll want to bear in mind if you do decide to head to the Great Central Railway.
It’s not open every day so check out the website to find which trains are running when and for ticket prices, which can change depending on the season and what’s on offer.
There are special events throughout the year, including character appearances from family favourites like Paw Patrol or the Snowman.
Parking at Loughborough is on the road outside the station, so it can be tricky to find a space on busy days.
We usually head to Quorn to catch the train up and down the line from there, as it’s got a big car park and often has kids activities in its marquee. The other two stations also have parking.
There’s a small branch line to Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre, which only occasionally has trains running on it.
But if you can time your visit to coincide with the branch line being open, the heritage centre itself is well worth a visit, with a playground, den-building, woodland trails, a narrow gauge railway where you can take a short ride and a model train track where visitors can have a go at the controls for Thomas the Tank Engine or one of his friends.
It’s exciting times for the Great Central Railway, which is in the middle of a multimillion pound project to reconnect two stretches of track.
passengers will be able to travel on heritage trains for 18 miles between Nottingham and Leicester North for the first time since the line was axed in the 1960s and a small part of the track was built over.
So it’s full steam ahead for this half term and beyond.