The little-known but best places to visit this summer if your kids are obsessed with trains AND they can meet Thomas

IS your child the ultimate Thomas the Tank Engine fan or just obsessed with riding trains?

We’ve rounded up the five best places to keep locomotive-loony kids occupied this summer…

Thomas Land, Drayton Manor, Staffordshire

If your kid can’t get enough of all things Thomas the Tank engine, you may want to head to Drayton Manor in Staffordshire.

There you can visit , which is a whole section based on the popular long-running children’s television series.

It includes 25 rides and attractions, so there is plenty to keep your Thomas fan busy.

Tipped as being a “theme park within a theme park”, Thomas Land includes Knapford Station, where guests can catch trains to Tidmouth Hault pulled by Thomas, Percy or Rosie.

One mum who gave Drayton Manor a five-star TripAdvisor review wrote: “Had an amazing time, we stayed from open until close. ‘Thomas Land’ kept us busy for a whole five hours!”

Didcot Railway Centre, Oxfordshire

If your kids love playgrounds and steam train rides, could be the perfect day out.

The centre celebrates the golden age of the Great Western Railway and there are restored steam locomotives to see.

On their “Steam Days” – typically weekends and Wednesdays in summer – you can even enjoy unlimited rides on their steam trains.

After this, your kids can play in their train-themed play area and explore the shop filled with train models and goodies.

Older guests can see museum exhibits and even experience an air raid shelter.

Bluebell Railway, Sussex

Explore the joys of travelling by steam train by hopping on one with Bluebell Railway.

Here you can travel through 11 miles of beautiful Sussex landscape behind a steam engine.

During your family day out you can learn about the history of the industrial age and get hands-on with their interactive exhibitions.

Your kids can then explore their play and picnic areas while parents unwind with a well-earned cup of tea.

In addition to seeing staff dressed in period outfits, Bluebell Railway hosts a number of for the family.

Day Out With Thomas, UK-wide

If your kid is desperate to meet Thomas the Tank Engine himself, there are numerous events to do this with Day Out With Thomas.

You can get all aboard a train ride with Thomas, and meet Sir Topham Hatt and a number of railway friends.

There’s also live entertainment, photo opportunities and activities to keep youngsters busy.

Day Out With Thomas takes place at heritage railways across the country, so check their for when it is taking place near you.

London Transport Museum, London

Travel back in time to explore the history of London’s transport over the past 200 years at this family-friendly museum.

Kids can climb aboard vintage buses, trains and the world’s first underground railway.

There’s also the chance to pick up tickets to stamps as you explore the interactive displays.

The opened in the 1920s and has over 450,000 items.

Note, you’ll need an annual pass and a timed entry ticket to visit, but kids go free.

One mum reviewed it writing: “Fantastic museum, lots of information but easy to read and in no way boring.”