Days out by rail
Community Rail's flagship tourism and leisure campaign, Days Out by Rail, runs every summer from 1–31 August, and we’re inviting everyone to take part. Come and see some of the hidden tourism gems that are easily accessible by train along the Barton line or go to Scenic Rail Britain if you're going thinking of travelling further afield.
Discover Cleethorpes!
Family Adventures Loved by Locals
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Looking for the perfect family day out? Head to Cleethorpes – a seaside favourite along the Barton Line that’s packed with traditional charm and unforgettable fun. Whether you're a local or visiting for the first time, there's something for everyone in this much-loved resort town.
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Step off the train at Cleethorpes station and you’re instantly at the heart of the action – just moments from the beach! Treat the family to classic fish and chips at the beautifully restored Mermaid Fish Bar, once the refreshment room of the historic Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway.
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Hop aboard the iconic "Lollipop Road Train" or the colourful Stagecoach Seasider open-top bus, both offering a scenic ride along the promenade. You'll find your way to the popular Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway and the peaceful boating lake, where kids and adults alike can enjoy the rowing boats and pedalos.
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Don’t miss a chance to feed the friendly waterfowl by the lake – special food is available to help little ones connect with nature. For a dash of nostalgia, enjoy a donkey ride along the beach or cool off with a traditional seaside ice cream and dip your toes in the sea.
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Whether you're looking for laid-back leisure or lively fun, Cleethorpes delivers family adventures that locals adore – and you will too. Come and make some coastal memories!
Tracks through Time
A Journey Through History Along the Barton Line
Step aboard the train and travel through time on the Cleethorpes–Barton Line, where stories of the past unfold along the way. This scenic railway route offers more than just a journey, it’s a captivating window into the rich heritage of northern Lincolnshire.
Departing from Cleethorpes, be sure to visit the ticket office to see the first of five stunning art installations commissioned by the Barton Cleethorpes Community Rail Partnership (CRP) as part of their Art Along the Line project to commemorate Railway 200 and the heritage of the railway. The project was made possible with funding from Community Rail Network (CRN) and East Midlands Railway (EMR), and painted by local artist Nikita Spires.
As the train departs, your historical adventure begins almost immediately. You'll pass Blundell Park, home to Grimsby Town FC since 1898. Keep an eye out for the oldest stand in the Football League, backing directly onto the railway line, a true piece of footballing heritage.
Now you’re gliding past the Grimsby Fish Docks. And thanks to the second stunning Art Along the Line mural on the platform, it’s easy to imagine the days when this bustling port, built by the railway, sent fresh fish by rail to markets across Britain. Landmark buildings such as the port offices and the iconic Grimsby Dock Tower stand as lasting symbols of the town’s maritime past.
As you approach Grimsby Town Centre, spot the former cooperage of Hewitt’s Brewery and the historic Town Hall, now home to the fascinating Time Trap Museum, tucked away in the old police cells beneath the building.
Moving on look out for more art - the striking trompe-l'œil “The Ticket Booth” at Great Coates, and at Stallingborough, admire the two preserved brick waiting shelter artworks depicting the village past and present.
Further along, Thornton Abbey station welcomes you with restored 1920s LNER running-in boards, made possible with support from EMR. Nearby stands the breathtaking Thornton Abbey Gatehouse, one of England’s finest monastic gatehouses and once visited by Henry VIII himself!
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Next you reach Goxhill with it's beautiful Victorian signal box and gates that are still in working order! And in New Holland, you’ll glimpse the former station hotel, which once housed the Great Central Railway’s laundry, and the remains of New Holland Pier, where paddle steamers once ferried passengers across the Humber Estuary to Hull.
As you approach Barton-upon-Humber, the iconic Humber Bridge rises in the distance. Look out over the tranquil lakes formed from former claypits, now vibrant nature reserves and leisure spots, that once supported the town’s thriving tile-making industry.
From medieval abbeys to industrial legacies the Barton Line is far more than a railway, it's a journey through centuries. Hop on and unlock the past, one station at a time.
