Travel test

WHAT: Vale of Rheidol Railway WHERE: 24-mile round-trip on the narrow-gauge railway from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge, West Wales. Standard class £35 adults, £6 children, first class £52.50 adults, £23.50 children. rheidolrailway.co.uk EXPERIENCE: Boarding the 10.30am from Aberystwyth was a breeze after parking next to the station and a quick stop at the spectacularly fancy platform loos complete with mahogany seats and chain pull cisterns.

- BY VICKY LISSAMAN

I had a seat in the first class carriage with wing-backed armchairs, wood panelling and ceiling paintings which immerse passengers in the golden age of steam. The wraparound windows perfectly frame views of the Cambrian Mountains and Rheidol Reservoir, along with cows grazing on hillsides and geese in fields of buttercups as red kites circle overhead.