There's something wonderfully reassuring about seeing children being entertained by nothing more than a trail of model fairy houses, away from the obsessions of tablets and phones, squealing with delight at each new discovery.

But then that's Audley End Miniature Railway all over. A flashback to a bygone era of steam trains fused with a charming focus on woodland folk like fairies, elves and gnomes.

Dunmow Broadcast: Audley End Miniature Railway.Audley End Miniature Railway. (Image: Matt Adams)

Their Covid-safe Summer Festival is running until the end of the holidays, so there are still a few days left to discover these delights first-hand.

The event, at the facility adjacent to the more famous Audley End House and Gardens, includes an enchanting train ride, a magical fairy and elf walk, a new nature corner, interactive story-telling shows and an adventure playground and games area.

Dunmow Broadcast: The steam train at Audley End Miniature Railway.The steam train at Audley End Miniature Railway. (Image: Matt Adams)

Our three girls, nine, five and one, were immediately hooked by the I Spy element to the train ride (OK maybe not the one-year-old), checking off the different features they spotted on their journey, including various teddy bear diaoramas, and waving at the costumed fairy figures en route.

Dunmow Broadcast: Woodland delights at Audley End Miniature Railway.Woodland delights at Audley End Miniature Railway. (Image: Matt Adams)

The fairy and elf walk, which involves ticking off the various characters in an activity book, proved a huge hit, as they ran through the woodland in search of the beautifully crafted abodes of each magical creature, stopping on the way to explore a full-size fairy house (complete with slide) and make their own fairy wands.

Dunmow Broadcast: Teddy bears at Audley End Miniature Railway.Teddy bears at Audley End Miniature Railway. (Image: Matt Adams)

It would have been nice to sit down and watch one of the story-telling shows afterwards, but all three girls would rather spend their time at the fantastic adventure playground, which includes a huge wooden train, platform and Audley End bridge, and occupied their attention for a good couple of hours.


Dunmow Broadcast: The adventure playground at Audley End Miniature Railway.The adventure playground at Audley End Miniature Railway. (Image: Hillary Childs)

Dunmow Broadcast: Making fairy wands at Audley End Miniature Railway.Making fairy wands at Audley End Miniature Railway. (Image: Hillary Childs)

Dunmow Broadcast: The fairy trail at Audley End Miniature Railway.The fairy trail at Audley End Miniature Railway. (Image: Hillary Childs)

Dunmow Broadcast: The fairy trail at Audley End Miniature Railway.The fairy trail at Audley End Miniature Railway. (Image: Hillary Childs)

The staff are all exceptionally engaging and patient - we had to feel sorry for the fairy stuck at the wand-making hut for hours on end - they never stepped out of character and remained happy and smiling throughout the day.

If you've exhausted the usual options for the summer hols, and are looking for a special way to finish off before school starts, then Audley End Miniature Railway really does have something for everyone. See www.audley-end-railway.co.uk for more information.