This is a list of heritage, private and preserved railways throughout the United Kingdom, the Crown dependencies, and British Overseas Territories whether operational or closed, that are operated for charitable purposes or shareholder profit. Some also provide economic local transport. For rail museums, see List of British railway museums. Many of the standard-gauge railways listed, including former branch lines and ex-mainline routes, were closed by British Railways under the Beeching Axe of the 1960s. Most have been restored and operate as heritage lines. A smaller number of lines were formerly industrial or colliery railways. Many of these preserved railways are mentioned in national and international tour guides, and visits may form part of a school curriculum or feature in other studies, including civil engineering, mechanics, social, economic and political history, visual arts and drama. This list also includes tramways. Nearly all tram services in Britain ended in the 1950s and early 1960s, leaving just Blackpool Corporation Tramways, although some big cities have since revived them in the late 20th century onwards. This list includes those railways which has public open days and excludes those on private sites which are not advertised to the public.

England

Northern England

Standard gauge

Railway centres and museums

Narrow gauge

Miniature

Tramways

East of England

Standard gauge

Railway centres and museums

Narrow gauge

Miniature

Tramways

East Midlands

Standard gauge

Railway centres and museums

Narrow gauge

Miniature

Tramways

South East

Standard gauge

Railway centres and museums

Narrow gauge

Miniature

South West

Standard gauge

Railway centres and museums

Narrow gauge

Miniature

Tramways

West Midlands

Standard gauge

Railway centres and museums

Narrow gauge

Miniature

Tramways

Proposed

East of England

North of England

South of England

Defunct

This is a list of former heritage railway attractions that are sadly defunct.

Northern Ireland

See List of heritage railways in Northern Ireland

Irish standard gauge

Railway centres and museums

Narrow gauge

Defunct

Scotland

Standard gauge

Central Highlands

East Coast of Scotland

South West Scotland

Railway centres and museums

Narrow gauge

Miniature railways

Proposed

Defunct

Wales

North Wales

Mid Wales

South Wales

Proposed

North Wales

Standard gauge

Narrow gauge

South Wales

Standard gauge

Defunct

Crown dependencies

Isle of Man

Derelict

See Rail transport in the Isle of Man.

Channel Islands

British Overseas Territories

Falkland Islands