Railway Experiences and Days Out

The Battlefield Line is best suited to visitors who want a relaxed countryside steam railway trip with the option to combine the railway with Bosworth Battlefield, Market Bosworth and rural Leicestershire.

Scenic Journey

Shackerstone to Shenton Heritage Train

The classic Battlefield Line journey runs from Shackerstone through Market Bosworth to Shenton, passing countryside, villages and sections close to the Ashby Canal.

Best for families and countryside railway days out

Official Railway Website

History Day Out

Bosworth Battlefield and Railway Trip

Shenton is close to the Bosworth Battlefield area, giving visitors a natural way to combine railway travel with one of England’s most important historic landscapes.

Best for history fans and mixed-interest groups

Official Travel Information

Why The Battlefield Line Is Special

The Battlefield Line is special because it combines a traditional heritage railway with a distinctive local history setting and useful access from the West Midlands and East Midlands.

• Bosworth Battlefield connection
  The railway’s Shenton end gives the line a strong historical angle, especially for visitors interested in the Battle of Bosworth and Richard III.
• Three-station route
  Shackerstone, Market Bosworth and Shenton each give the line a clear visitor structure and a proper heritage railway feel.
• Countryside and canal scenery
  The route runs through rural Leicestershire and for much of the way follows attractive countryside close to the Ashby Canal.
• Good Midlands day out
  The railway is useful for visitors from Birmingham, Leicester, Coventry, Nuneaton, Hinckley and the surrounding area.

How to Plan Your Day on The Battlefield Line

A good Battlefield Line day usually starts at Shackerstone, rides the full route to Shenton, and then adds either Market Bosworth, Bosworth Battlefield or a countryside walk.

• Start at Shackerstone
  Shackerstone is the railway headquarters and the best starting point for most visitors.
• Ride via Market Bosworth
  Market Bosworth gives the journey a useful intermediate point and helps link the railway with the wider local area.
• Continue to Shenton
  Shenton is the southern station and the best end for Bosworth Battlefield context.
• Build in history or walking
  The railway works especially well when combined with Bosworth Battlefield, canal walks or rural Leicestershire exploring.

About The Battlefield Line

The Battlefield Line is a standard gauge heritage railway in Leicestershire, operated by the Shackerstone Railway Society.

The line is the last remaining part of the former Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway and runs between Shackerstone, Market Bosworth and Shenton. Its mix of rural railway character and battlefield heritage gives it a distinctive place among Midlands heritage railways.

Why railway enthusiasts rate it

• Former Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway
  The railway preserves part of a historic local route with strong Leicestershire railway interest.
• Traditional rural preservation feel
  The line has a smaller, volunteer-led atmosphere that appeals to visitors who like classic preserved railway character.
• Steam and diesel interest
  Services and events can include a mix of traction, making it useful for repeat enthusiast visits.
• Historic landscape context
  The Bosworth connection gives the railway an unusually strong wider heritage setting.

Route, Stations and Highlights

The Battlefield Line consists of three main stations between Shackerstone and Shenton.

• Shackerstone
  The railway headquarters at the northern end of the line and the main starting point for many visitors.
• Market Bosworth
  An intermediate station serving the historic market town area and surrounding countryside.
• Shenton
  The southern station, useful for Bosworth Battlefield, local walks and history-focused days out.

Best Time to Visit The Battlefield Line

• Spring and summer
  Best for family days out, countryside views and combining the railway with walks or Bosworth Battlefield.
• Event weekends
  Best for enthusiasts looking for extra railway interest, special services or themed days.
• Autumn
  Good for quieter countryside journeys, photography and relaxed heritage railway visits.
• School holidays
  Useful for family trips from Birmingham, Leicester, Coventry, Hinckley and Nuneaton.

Looking for More Train Experiences?

The Battlefield Line is a strong Midlands heritage railway for countryside and history-led trips. From Birmingham it pairs well with Chasewater Railway, Severn Valley Railway and Telford Steam Railway in a wider local railway cluster.

Plan Your Visit

• Main route: Shackerstone to Shenton via Market Bosworth
• Region: Leicestershire / East Midlands
• Nearby places: Market Bosworth, Hinckley, Nuneaton, Leicester, Coventry, Tamworth and Birmingham
• Typical journey style: Standard gauge heritage railway trip through rural Leicestershire.
• Typical visit length: Half day, or longer if combining with Bosworth Battlefield or local walks.
• Best fit: Families, history fans, railway enthusiasts, Midlands day-trippers and countryside visitors.

Other Rail Away Days Guides

Continue planning your railway day out with more Rail Away Days guides and experience pages.

Frequently Asked Questions