My eldest son has an obsession with trains, if you have a like-minded child then here are two places worth a visit. They're both open all year round.
STEAM, Swindon: the museum of the Great Western Railway. Perfect for visiting when the weather's bad because everything's indoors. This site was once one of the largest railway engineering complexes in the world employing tens of thousands of people.The musem recreates some of the offices and workshops and takes you on a tour of how the trains were made and the Great Western Railway was developed. The exhibits are all hands-on and ideal for children to play with and explore. Some of the highlights are being able to walk underneath the beautifully preserved steam train 'Caerphilly Castle' and operate the signals in a recreated signal box. You can explore the cabins of a few other steam trains as well as some former royal coaches. A recreated station helps you understand what the age of steam was like (and creates some nostalgia if you're old enough to remember it!).
You don't have to be a train fan to enjoy this museum, it's an enjoyable couple of hours spent learning about a bygone era. And a flashback to a time when Britain was a world leader in industry and manufacturing (sadly no more...).
You can get to STEAM via junctions 15 or 16 of the M4. It's located in the Outlet Centre in Swindon and is well signposted. You park in the Outlet Centre car park and can get your car park fee refunded if you show the car park office your STEAM entry ticket. Accessibility is excellent for pushchairs and wheelchairs and there are baby change facilities. The shop sells a range of nostalgic gifts and Thomas the Tank Engine toys. The only drawback is the tiny self-service food bar, although you can eat and drink in the cafe at the neighbouring National Trust headquarters which is child friendly. Family ticket £17, adults £6.40, 3-16s £4.25, under 3s free. Open every day all year. Sometimes there are special events, check website for details.
Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot. Home of the Great Western Society which is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of steam engines. A bit of walking about outdoors is required so choose a dry day. It's a rougher, grimier experience than STEAM but more authentic as you visit a couple of old engine sheds full of trains which smell pleasingly of oil and grease. You can climb into the cabs of some of the engines and many are in working order because the museum holds regular Steamdays when you can have a ride in the trains. Children love walking about on the disused tracks and are amazed at the size of the engines and wagons close up. There are a few indoor parts to the museum including the interestingly titled 'Relics Display' and an old air raid shelter to explore. The museum is next to the mainline between London and the Westcountry so expect your little ones to jump in excitement when a high-speed train whizzes past.
It's really worth visiting on a Steamday as the train rides will add some extra excitement to your visit. Thomas the Tank Engine visits occasionally and there are special Father Christmas Steam Days which are advisable to book in advance.
Didcot Railway Centre is next to Didcot Parkway station, a short drive from the A34 Milton Interchange. It's well sign-posted and visitors are guided to a large car park a short walk from the station. The car park charges £4-£5 for parking and the machines only accept coins. Unfortunately access is via a footbridge with no ramp for pushchairs or wheelchairs. There is a drop-off point in the main station car park. Access to the museum is via an underpass through Didcot Parkway station and up another flight of steps. The museum is apologetic for this limited access on its website and is looking into improving it. It's not ideal for pushchairs but I've taken one each time I've visited and managed. The museum has a cafe (the food wasn't great quality when we last ate there) and a well-stocked shop. Family ticket is £16, adult £5, child (over 3) £4. On Steamdays a family ticket is £27, adult £8 and child £7. Open every weekend year-round and on weekdays in school holiday times. For details of Steamdays and other events see the website.
I've not been sponsored to write about these museums, I've written about them because we've been to both a few times and enjoy them.
This post was written by me, Whistlejacket, a mum to two boys living in Berkshire. I'm expecting a third baby this Christmas. You can read more at my blog, babyrambles.
Photo credit: Didcot Railway Centre
Comments