Didcot Railway Centre

Travel back in time to the golden age of the Great Western Railway. Savour the sights, sounds and smells of steam as you explore this 25-acre living museum with trains dating from Victorian times to the 1960s. Take unlimited rides on steaming days, explore the original 1932 engine shed and see magnificent preserved locomotives – you can even climb onto the footplates of some! See surviving track from Brunel’s broad gauge, discover painstakingly restored buildings, carriages and wagons and learn more about the development of railways and how they changed everyday lives.

There’s a chance to get hands-on in the interactive Science of Railways carriages and the signalling centre where you can find out how trains have been controlled through the ages. Descend into the original air raid shelter, built to keep Didcot’s enginemen safe in WWII, or immerse yourself in the varied collection of fascinating, smaller artefacts in the museum.

Children can let off steam in the outdoor play area, make tracks to the indoor toy train sets or dress up as a Station Master. You can relax over lunch or enjoy a snack in the refreshment rooms and don’t forget to pick up a souvenir in the gift shop. The modern trains running past the centre complete the picture and mean you can experience 180 years of railway progress in just one day!