After celebrating a family wedding, we packed up and headed to Nene Valley campsite for a weekend of history, heritage railways, and a long-awaited bucket list moment.

A Walk with a View

On arrival, we took a beautiful four-mile walk along the heritage railway path, catching several glimpses of the mighty Flying Scotsman as it thundered past in the sunshine. There’s something truly special about seeing such an iconic locomotive in motion, knowing that my Great Grandad once drove it, along with the Mallard.

Our walk led us into Peterborough, where we stopped at the stunning Peterborough Cathedral—home to the tomb of Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII.

After soaking in the history, we popped into The Stoneworks Bar for a couple of well-earned drinks, picked up some essentials from Waitrose, and took an Uber back to Gandalf for a relaxed evening on site.

The Big Day – Flying Scotsman at Nene Valley Railway

Sunday morning was all about lazy starts and steam trains, watching the Flying Scotsman pass by our campsite before heading to Nene Valley Railway for the main event.

Finally, after years of dreaming, I got to ride behind the legendary locomotive that my Great Grandad once drove.

Its whistle echoed through the air, its green and black livery gleamed in the sunlight, and for a moment, it felt like stepping back in time. There really are no words to describe how incredible it was—just pure history, power, and nostalgia wrapped into one unforgettable experience.

A huge bucket list tick and a weekend I’ll never forget. 🚂✨ thank you Keefy for the tickets as an early bday present!

Stayed at Ferry Meadows Caravan and Motorhome Club site