Hollycombe Steam Collection

The Interpretation, Education and Orientation Project

Visitor facilities at Hollycombe are undergoing major improvements. This project, supported by a grant of almost £1 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, includes the construction of a capacious new building at the heart of Hollycombe with a strong accent on education and the interpretation of Britain's largest working steam museum.

A range of visitor needs will be met much more effectively under one roof and there will be more space to exhibit historic items indoors. The principle aims of the project are to:-

Provide under one roof improved café, shop, volunteer and educational facilities.

Provide a better learning environment for increasingly popular school visits.

Create a concourse gallery where the history of steam and its role in our heritage can be brought to life for visitors.

Provide signs and displays, giving a new approach to illustrating and explaining the history and stories behind many items in the collection.

Increase indoor seating and provide a greater view onto the nearby railways and accommodate for bad weather.

Provide a new indoor display gallery, depicting the lives and history of traditional travelling fairs, allowing for the creation of an exhibition which will give greater understanding of fairground lifestyles.

An artist's impression of the new building and photographs showing progress to date are shown below.

Michelle Howard (Senior Grants Officer for Heritage Lottery Fund) noted that:-
" HLF was keen to support this project for a number of reasons. Once complete it will provide visitors with a much improved and well-rounded experience, including better access to the exhibits and the opportunity to take part in related activities. The museum relies heavily on its volunteer base and it is important that they, too, will benefit from the changes. Ultimately, we would like to see this project encouraging more people to experience what is a unique hands-on introduction to steam power."