Whistlestop Valley

Whistlestop Valley, Park Mill Way, Clayton West, Huddersfield, UK
1-90 Years
Paid

Description

Whistlestop Valley is a family attraction in Huddersfield offering steam train journeys through glorious countryside and ancient woodlands. Visitors travel on Yorkshire's Great Little Steam Trains along the 15-inch narrow gauge Kirklees Light Railway. It combines railway adventure with outdoor play, indoor fun and seasonal events for all ages.

Enjoy a journey through the longest tunnel on any 15 inch Railway in Britain, or even book a 70-minute, seven-mile Footplate Ride. Families can explore outdoor playgrounds, The Clayton Flyer miniature railway, The Cabin indoor play areas and The Pillow jumping pillow. There is also Crazy Golf, Pedal Cars for children aged 3–8, walking routes and year-round events including Character days and the Santa Express.

BIG Adventure tickets start from Adult £14.95 and Kids go for a Fiver £5.00, with Little Adventure, Young Engineers and Annual Pass options also available. Children’s Parties cost £200 for 10 children (minimum 10, maximum 20), with additional children at £22.95 each, including train ride, party food and play access.

With picnic areas, The Firebox eatery and seasonal timetables, it offers a full day out for families. The mix of heritage steam travel and hands-on play creates a fun and memorable countryside experience. For train lovers and adventure-seeking families, Whistlestop Valley is a fantastic day out in Yorkshire.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

  • Footplate Ride: Have you ever wanted to ride on the footplate of a steam engine? A 70-minute, seven-mile footplate ride on one of our unique steam locomotives in the company of one of our experienced drivers. 
  • Outdoor Play Areas: We have outdoor playgrounds at both Clayton West and Shelley Stations. Perfect for young visitors to let off some steam!
  • The Clayton Flyer: The Clayton Flyer is our 71/4 inch gauge miniature ride on railway. Enjoy a lap of the duck pond and see if you can spot any of our resident ducks or newts on the way around... All included in your Big Adventure or Little Adventure ticket.
  • The Cabin: Indoor activities for younger visitors. Let the kids have a play in one of The Cabin small activity areas at Clayton West. All included in your Big Adventure or Little Adventure ticket.
  • The Pillow: The Pillow is our jumping pillow which is undercover so the fun doesn’t have to stop on soggy days! Access is included in your Big Adventure and Little Adventure tickets.
  • Walking Routes: There are plenty of walks in the beautiful surrounding countryside. Walking routes around Clayton West, Skelmanthorpe and Shelley are accessible from the Kirklees Light Railway and can also be accessed from our intermediate stations at Cuckoo's Nest and Skelmanthorpe.
  • Crazy Golf: Test out your putting skills out on our Crazy Golf course. Play against family and friends on our 9 hole Crazy Golf course, make sure the winner has a photo on our GIANT chair.
  • Pedal Cars: Whizz around on our Pedal Cars new for 2023. This area is suitable for children 3-8 years. Children must be supervised at all times. Users of pedal cars do so at their own risk. 
  • Events: We host a wide range of events and experiences all year round for both children and adults to enjoy! From Character days to the Santa Express. 

Facilities

  • Picnic Areas: Should you wish to eat al fresco, or bring your own packed lunch with you, picnic areas are available outside both Clayton West and Shelley Stations. 
  • Parking: The car park entrance has a 2m height restriction barrier. To gain access for taller vehicles, please park up on Park Mill Way and ask a member of entrance staff for assistance.
  • Food & Drinks: Serving a variety of fresh, seasonal produce, The Firebox is Whistlestop Valley’s main eatery and is located within the main building at Clayton West. The Turntable is our takeaway ice cream/dessert parlour at Shelley Station. Serving a range of Grandpa Greene's Luxury Ice Cream.
  • Toilets: At Clayton West, there are facilities in both the men’s and the ladies’ toilets. At Shelley Station, there are facilities in the disabled toilet.

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

BIG Adventure

  • Adult: £14.95
  • Kids go for a Fiver: £5.00
  • Infant (under 2 yrs no seat allocation must be sat on knee): £0.00
  • Concession (Over 65): £10.95
  • Dog: £0.00
  • Carer (requires proof to be shown at entry): £10.95
  • Adult with Blue Light Card (requires proof to be shown at entry): £12.55

Little Adventure

  • Adult: £6.54 (inc VAT)
  • Child (2-16 yrs): £6.95 (inc VAT)
  • Infant (under 2 yrs): £0.00 (inc VAT)

Young Engineers

  • Adult (over 16 yrs): £6.95
  • Child (1-16 yrs): £6.95
  • Infant (under 12 months) sitting on lap: £0.00

Annual Pass Tickets

  • Adult: £75
  • Child (aged 2-16): £75

Footplate Ride

  • Per person: £35

Pricing URL: https://www.whistlestopvalley.co.uk/tickets-pricing

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Children's Parties

Whats included? 

  • Party food served in our reserved area 
  • Return train ride to Shelley on allocated & reserved service (outbound only.  You can return at your leisure!)
  • Birthday headboard on train
  • Unlimited access to the Clayton Flyer, The Shed, the playgrounds & The Pillow
  • Whistlestop Valley invitation PDF template
  • One free adult per paid-for child attending the party (all other additional adults/siblings will be charged at full price)
  • Two complimentary tickets for the birthday child to return (Ts & Cs apply)
  • A complimentary ticket for each child attending the birthday party to return (Ts & Cs apply)

The cost of a party is £200 for the minimum amount of children (10) any additional child is charged at £22.95 per child (minimum 10 children, maximum 20 children). 

  • Pink timetable (BIG Adventure) departs at: 10:20, 11:35, 12:50, 14:05, 15:20
  • Green timetable (BIG Adventure) departs at: 10:30, 11:10, 11:50, 12:30, 13:10, 13:50. 14:30, 15:10
  • Winter Adventure Days: Return train rides to Skelmanthorpe (only) departing Clayton West
  • Young Engineers Day: Return train rides to Cuckoo's Nest (only) departing Clayton West every 30 minutes from 10:15 to 14:15

2026 Calendar

Address: Whistlestop Valley, Park Mill Way, Clayton West, Huddersfield, UK

Post Code: HD8 9XJ

Council: Kirklees

County: West Yorkshire

From the north

  • From M1 junction 39, follow A636 towards Denby Dale
  • Follow the brown tourist signs for Kirklees Light Railway from West Bretton roundabout
  • Clayton West Station is situated at the top of Park Mill Way, past the industrial estate and through the large gate at the top of estate

From the south

  • From M1 junction 38, follow A637 towards Huddersfield
  • Turn left onto the A636 towards Denby Dale at West Bretton roundabout
  • Follow the brown tourist signs for Kirklees Light Railway
  • Clayton West Station is situated at the top of Park Mill Way, past the industrial estate and through the large gate at the top of estate

 
From Huddersfield

  • Take the A629 from the centre of Huddersfield towards Sheffield for around 8 miles
  • Turn left onto the A636 towards Denby Dale/Wakefield
  • Follow the brown tourist signs for Kirklees Light Railway/Scenic Railway
  • Clayton West Station is situated at the top of Park Mill Way, past the industrial estate and through the large gate at the top of estate

By Bus

  • From Huddersfield Bus Station, service number D1 Denby Darts operates to Clayton West
  • From Wakefield Bus Station, services X1 Holmfirth Explorer operate to Clayton West

By Rail 

  • Denby Dale Railway Station is the nearest rail station to Clayton West, situated approx. 3 miles away. This station requires a short bus ride or taxi ride to Clayton West.
  • A walking route is signposted by waymarkers between Shepley Station (mainline) and Shelley Station. 
  • Alternative mainline railway stations are Huddersfield and Wakefield, where bus services are available from the bus stations which are listed above.

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