2023 News
We are delighted to be re-opening for the 2023 season. Open Friday, Sunday and Monday over the Easter weekend and Sundays thereafter in April. See the calendar for a full list of dates and events this year.
Join us for a fun-filled day out. Switch-off from the hustle and bustle of modern life whilst we take you back to the magical era when steam engineering was pivotal to amusement, transport and working life.
Earliest admittance to site is 11.30am. From 11.30am onwards visitors are free to enjoy the cafe, take a walk through the gardens or chat to one of our many volunteers whilst engines are steaming up. The beauty of steam is that it's not flick-of-the-switch engineering so waiting for engines to build to the right pressure is all part of the fun.
Quarry Railway: A loop that runs approximately 1 and 1/4 miles, our narrow-gauge railway is loved by all ages. The initial climb is around 1:40 meaning the locomotives have some work to do to haul the carriages up the hill! From there it's on to the Quarry to see the breath-taking views over the valley below and the hills beyond. Visitors board and alight from the same station opposite the main museum building, push chairs and prams can be left at the station. There is one wheelchair accessible compartment on the train. Typically we run Diesel at the start of the day moving to steam a little later in the afternoon. Last train 4.30pm.
Garden Railway: 7 and 1/4" railway nestled between the fairground and the gardens. The juxtaposition is really quite special; to one side the spectacle of rides in motion with the sounds of fairground organs and to the other the peaceful gardens with birds singing in chorus.
Fairground: Steam Driven Golden Gallopers, Steam Driven Chair-o-Planes, Steam Driven Swing Boats, Haunted Cottage Ghost House, Bioscope, Hall of Mirrors, Children's Chair-o-Planes, Children's Toy Roundabout and Children's hand turn Dobbies.
Steam Farm: Ever heard of a clover huller? Or a potato riddler? Head on down to our steam farm to learn about the applications of steam in agriculture. Watch as the vertical boiler and horizontal stationary steam engine work together to drive the line shaft. Follow your eyes along the series of belts and pulleys to see how kinetic energy powers the machinery.
Portable engines and traction engines: take a trailer ride behind a steam engine, watch portable engine "Big John" providing steam to the Gallopers. We have visiting engines throughout the season everything from miniature steam, road rollers, traction engines and magnificent Showman's engines.
Museum shop: packed full of great gifts, memorabilia, steam activity books for children, pick 'n' mix and ice-cream.
Cafe: Eat-in or take-away available all served up by the team that run local business Rebel's Quarter. Children's meals and vegan options available.
Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Join us for a fun-filled day out. Switch-off from the hustle and bustle of modern life whilst we take you back to the magical era when steam engineering was pivotal to amusement, transport and working life.
Earliest admittance to site is 11.30am. From 11.30am onwards visitors are free to enjoy the cafe, take a walk through the gardens or chat to one of our many volunteers whilst engines are steaming up. The beauty of steam is that it's not flick-of-the-switch engineering so waiting for engines to build to the right pressure is all part of the fun.
Quarry Railway: A loop that runs approximately 1 and 1/4 miles, our narrow-gauge railway is loved by all ages. The initial climb is around 1:40 meaning the locomotives have some work to do to haul the carriages up the hill! From there it's on to the Quarry to see the breath-taking views over the valley below and the hills beyond. Visitors board and alight from the same station opposite the main museum building, push chairs and prams can be left at the station. There is one wheelchair accessible compartment on the train. Typically we run Diesel at the start of the day moving to steam a little later in the afternoon. Last train 4.30pm.
Garden Railway: 7 and 1/4" railway nestled between the fairground and the gardens. The juxtaposition is really quite special; to one side the spectacle of rides in motion with the sounds of fairground organs and to the other the peaceful gardens with birds singing in chorus.
Fairground: Steam Driven Golden Gallopers, Steam Driven Chair-o-Planes, Steam Driven Swing Boats, Haunted Cottage Ghost House, Bioscope, Hall of Mirrors, Children's Chair-o-Planes, Children's Toy Roundabout and Children's hand turn Dobbies.
Steam Farm: Ever heard of a clover huller? Or a potato riddler? Head on down to our steam farm to learn about the applications of steam in agriculture. Watch as the vertical boiler and horizontal stationary steam engine work together to drive the line shaft. Follow your eyes along the series of belts and pulleys to see how kinetic energy powers the machinery.
Portable engines and traction engines: take a trailer ride behind a steam engine, watch portable engine "Big John" providing steam to the Gallopers. We have visiting engines throughout the season everything from miniature steam, road rollers, traction engines and magnificent Showman's engines.
Museum shop: packed full of great gifts, memorabilia, steam activity books for children, pick 'n' mix and ice-cream.
Cafe: Eat-in or take-away available all served up by the team that run local business Rebel's Quarter. Children's meals and vegan options available.
Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.