The Great Central Railway, based at Loughborough in Leicestershire, is celebrating after scooping this year’s award for “Leicestershire’s Best Day Out” at the Visit Leicester Tourism & Hospitality Awards.

The award was made at a glittering ceremony held at Athena Leicester on Wednesday, 3rd December, with the awards being sponsored by Novotel Hotel Leicester and Pear Communications.

During the autumn, the railway held an Autumn Diesel Gala from Thursday, 4th to Saturday, 6th September, and a Beer, Cider, & Gin Festival at Loughborough, Quorn & Woodhouse, and Rothley stations from Thursday, 18th to Sunday, 21st September.

In the run-up to Christmas, visitors to the Great Central Railway can experience “The Best Day out” for themselves, with a journey on the Santa Express, where they can look forward to a magical journey of singing, storytelling, and festive fun, as well as meeting Santa’s Elves, Mrs Claus, and Santa himself.

After Christmas, the Winter Steam Gala, from Thursday, 22nd to Sunday, 25th January, will provide a chance to get rid of the Christmas blues.