Brookside Miniature Railway — Attraction in Stockport

Good fun and there's parking. Will definitely go again. We all (3 adults & 1 tot) enjoyed the miniature railway not too expensive, and the route had lots of very pretty and interesting focal points and themes. The people running the railway are absolutely lovely... on the railway and in the beautiful shop. So kind and cheerful, they felt 'genuine'.

The fish hut was ok, and obviously the aim is to sell live and happy fish and not to entertain. The oxcylotle were interesting. The garden centre and houseplant departments were well stocked, and my friend found a most unusual houseplant she couldn't resist buying.

The gift shop was well stocked and the food section especially pleasing stocking a variety of cakes, preserves, chocolates etc from high-end independent food producers, for example, cakes and biscuits from my beloved Yorkshire-based bakers Bothams, and Brookside had not inflated the prices.

The cafe was also quite nice and warm, clean and with booths ... we had 3 pots of tea, one baby drink, frangipan cake, millionaire cake, and a platter of 3 small danish pastries... delicious. I'm greedy, so probably it was enough!

I'm looking forward to...

If you're in the area, it is a must visit. A fantastic miniature railway. £2.50 a ride is valued for money. It is part of a garden centre, which also has everything you'd expect and more. Selling fish, a model shop for example. I had a couple hours to spend while me and family were down that way and i took my daughter along and we loved it. It isn't just a train ride, it is an adventure. With plenty to see as you go round. A fairy garden, gnomes getting up to all sorts were two highlights. The staff were passionate and friendly and it actually circles the garden centre, so much so there are crossings, where people have to wait for the train to pass whilst looking around. The garden centre has a lovely cafe and they sell great tubs of ice cream for the kids. The railway has a station house that is affiliated with Thomas the Tank engine, so it sells all the official toys etc. Although, aren't allowed to use the official...

I've been a few times now with my brother, sister-in-law and my 3-year-old niece. The train ride is a good length, with lots of little things to see along the way. It's £2.50 per person, but you can also buy a 12 for the price of 10 ticket, which I'd recommend if you plan on going again. The staff are all lovely and each time we've been, we've had a chat with the man who runs the little shop on the platform (lots of train-themed toys and books) and the guard has always been fab. They even give my niece an extra little 'VIP' ticket for her soft toy friend that she brings along, which is a very sweet touch. They even punch it when we're boarding. If the train isn't there when you arrive, you won't have to wait long. It doesn't hang around at the platform either, so wait times are...