The Battlefield Line

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• Uncover the story - Fuelled by the mid-19th century need for coal, battles raged over the rights to build a railway to transport this precious cargo from North West Leicestershire’s coalfields. With neither conceding defeat, Midland Railway and London North Western Railway joined forces, and in 1873 it was full steam ahead for the Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway. <hr> Just a small section remains today, lovingly restored by Shackerstone Railway Society, and as the Battlefield Line it offers nostalgic journeys to three heritage stations at Shackerstone, Market Bosworth and Shenton. <hr> Each has a story to tell, from Market Bosworth’s role as a petrol depot when battles raged in Europe, secretly supporting the D-Day Landings, to Shackerstone’s proximity to Gopsall Hall. Now demolished, this grand manor house joined the war effort as an Army radar training base. It also hosted King Edward VII when the royal train made its inaugural journey, stopping at Shackerstone, in 1902. Shenton, at the heart of the Battle of Bosworth Field site, gave the line its name, and passengers can alight to stand near the spot where Richard III died in battle. <hr> Discover the charming stations on a five-mile trip aboard steam, diesel-hauled and railcar trains. The views are lovely, with much of the track running alongside Ashby Canal, and each station is accessible for narrowboat visitors who don’t want to battle the traffic. <hr> Hop on and off to refuel at Shackerstone’s Victorian Tea Room or the cafés at Market Bosworth and Shenton, where Station Glass sells unique blown-glass souvenirs. Explore Shackerstone’s rail museum, or board its fund-raising stall located in a British Rail Mark 2 coach. <hr> Special events include steam and diesel-hauled Sunday carvery trains and a Santa Special, while pre-bookable experiences let you ride the footplate or drive a steam locomotive. <hr>