Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre
Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre
Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre
4.5
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- NorwichHarleyKetton, United Kingdom237 contributionsImpressive engine shedFree parking, friendly welcome and very good cafe. The museum is informative and the engine shed impressive. Go to the signal box demo and see the turntable in action. Good value.Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 29, 2024
- Kenny HPeterhead, United Kingdom6 contributionsWow - a real life railway roundhouse!Have wanted to see this place for many years now and wasn't disappointed. You don't need to be a steam fan to visit - plenty about railways and the area's history. Informative guides. Deltic shed was a bonus - friendly staff to answer quesions. Delicious food in the cafe.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 27, 2024
- RichardHorncastle, United Kingdom37 contributionsGreat Exhibitions, Even Better Demonstrations, And I'm Not That Into Steam Trains...Absolutely stunning - even for someone who doesn't get excited about trains!!! The demonstration in the signal box was worth five times the entry fee alone. Seeing the turntable in action, and being explained, was equally amazing. Then there's the steam engines, the exhibits, the explanatory boards etc etc. Add a decent coffee and a bacon bap in the cafe and it's a truly stunning day out whether you're 8 or 80! Or you could ask my wife, the steam buff, but there may not be enough room for what she would want to write! Oh, and the volunteers, especially when you buy your tickets, are a wonderful part of tghe experience.Visited November 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten November 11, 2024
- RocketD19865 contributionsA fantastic day outThis is such a lovely place for train enthusiasts. There’s plenty to see and lots of activities for little ones dotted around inside. There’s a signal box demo and a turntable demo a few times a day and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. Our 6 year old got to pull the levers in the signal box and take a tour round some of the trains being refurbished. We were told they sometimes have days when they do train rides so we will definitely be back. We only spent 2 hours there which probably wasn’t long enough. You could easily spend 4 hours there looking around.Visited November 2024Traveled with familyWritten November 23, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
188 reviews
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5
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,504 contributions
Oct 2022
I was fortunate enough to visit Barrow Hill Roundhouse when it was still in use by British Rail and it was great to return and see it beautifully maintained. There is a large area for parking ut I imagine this gets busy on event days.
There is a display about the local area and the coming of the railway and the need for the roundhouse and why it is there.
The roundhouse itself has a variety of locomotives sat around it and there are regular displays of the turntable and getting it to move round. Sometimes even with a locomotive on it as well. The staff and volunteers are all happy to talk to you about the history of the table and the engines.
I would also recommend a visit to the Deltic Preservation Society shed where there was one of the huge engines being maintained. There is also a cab of one of the engines there that you can go and have a look at too.
There is a small stall here selling Deltic related merchandise depending on your need. There is also a gift shop in the main building which has a variety of things depending on your purse size.
Well worth checking out for railway history.
There is a display about the local area and the coming of the railway and the need for the roundhouse and why it is there.
The roundhouse itself has a variety of locomotives sat around it and there are regular displays of the turntable and getting it to move round. Sometimes even with a locomotive on it as well. The staff and volunteers are all happy to talk to you about the history of the table and the engines.
I would also recommend a visit to the Deltic Preservation Society shed where there was one of the huge engines being maintained. There is also a cab of one of the engines there that you can go and have a look at too.
There is a small stall here selling Deltic related merchandise depending on your need. There is also a gift shop in the main building which has a variety of things depending on your purse size.
Well worth checking out for railway history.
Written October 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham R
Honiton, UK382 contributions
Mar 2020
This unique venue is ridiculously cheap. For ÂŁ5 you gain access to a roundhouse with an impressive array of steam and diesel locomotives. There are also other locomotives on site which are visible from a viewing platform. The cafe is also good value.
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie P
United Kingdom2,026 contributions
Sep 2021
In my home county and been on the list for years and yet I've never got round to it, but now I have, and it was worth the wait.
Plenty of parking on the field by the centre and a cafe by the entrance. Toilets inside and out. Having entered, and paid the very cheap ÂŁ5, you go through a timeline of history and some artefacts before entering the roundhouse. The turntable, complete with loco, is demonstrated on the hour between 11.00 - 2.00pm. There are various locos, waggons, shunting engines and more dotted round the turntable, films playing and lots of information boards about the engines and about the working life.
Outside you can see the signal box, but not visit it, see the diesel and Intercity trains then visit the Deltic workshop where engines are currently being restored. My parents and us spent a couple of hours here. I was also told it's worth revisiting as trains change and they have special events.
Plenty of parking on the field by the centre and a cafe by the entrance. Toilets inside and out. Having entered, and paid the very cheap ÂŁ5, you go through a timeline of history and some artefacts before entering the roundhouse. The turntable, complete with loco, is demonstrated on the hour between 11.00 - 2.00pm. There are various locos, waggons, shunting engines and more dotted round the turntable, films playing and lots of information boards about the engines and about the working life.
Outside you can see the signal box, but not visit it, see the diesel and Intercity trains then visit the Deltic workshop where engines are currently being restored. My parents and us spent a couple of hours here. I was also told it's worth revisiting as trains change and they have special events.
Written October 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicky I
Doncaster, UK114 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Very disappointing visit, arrived after opening time, shop not open told to pay entrance fee at cafe (ÂŁ19 for 2 adults 1 child) had tickets thrust at us and a quick go throught there. No further explanations no go see this, that or this is happening at such and such a time. A few engines in the roundhouse to walk around only 2 to go on. Went outside where several other engines lay in various states of rust and decay. The turntable was due to go but couldn't hear the guy talking as he had no microphone and another guy was busy working on a loco in the background. Not one member of staff/volunteer made eye contact yet alone speak or be approachable. The deltic shed was closed off, no trains were running on the line. Not worth the entrance fee at all. We were there for 45 minutes to an hour and that included a drink in the cafe.
Written May 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trevor S
5 contributions
Dec 2024 • Solo
I bought tickets for the Richard Hawley concert and saw on their website item for the event that there is "ample" parking. I arrived at around 1910 hours for a 1930 start to be faced with a 35 minute queue of cars outside the entrance, not a sign in sight that there was any problem. On finally getting close I was surprised to see most cars heading straight on at the entrance. I, like everyone else asked the sole person at the gate what was going on to be advised the car park had been "rammed" for ages and his advise was to find somewhere in the village. 40 minutes later completely lost and disorientated in gave up trying and went home having wasted over 2 hours travelling and ÂŁ45 for the ticket to an event that had by that time had been on for almost an hour.
They must have been aware of the number of tickets that had been sold but they made no attempt to alert travellers to the possibility of parking problems and took no action at all the alert drivers in the queue once the problem became obvious. I am really glad I do not live in the village that during my drive was gridlocked.
A really poor show all round.
They must have been aware of the number of tickets that had been sold but they made no attempt to alert travellers to the possibility of parking problems and took no action at all the alert drivers in the queue once the problem became obvious. I am really glad I do not live in the village that during my drive was gridlocked.
A really poor show all round.
Written December 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Millie024
Llantwit Major, UK478 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
We didn’t have much idea what this would be like, but as my husband is very interested in steam railways we decided to give it a go when in the area, and are so pleased that we did. Having parked, we went into the cafe, where I had quite a long wait to order, as it was lunchtime and busy. The lunch when it came was indulgent and delicious, a treacle pudding with custard , something I hadn’t had for ages and was pleasantly surprised to see on the menu. The ladies serving were working very hard and delivered the food to your table, as well as cooking it and serving on the counter. My husband was impressed with the shop, which he visited while I ate my pudding, said the staff were friendly, and one man was from Wales.The museum is built around a turntable in an old engine shed, which you can see working. There was a fabulous collection of engines, and other vehicles, including a brake van with a video running. The settlement at Barrow Hill was, surprise, inaugurated by a Mr Barrow, an industrial pioneer, who set up a model village, giving his workers a far better quality of life, and life expectancy than the inhabitants of neighbouring villages. The social history of Barrow Hill was explained in a series of most informative displays which we liked very much. They gave Barrow Hill museum a wider appeal than just to railway buffs, engaging me for ages.
A diesel preservation society workshop is located on the same site, in another large building.
Outside, you can climb up a bank and see across to a sand tower, an idea that didn’t really work, but aimed to make engine wheels grip better by coating them with sand to improve their grip. Unfortunately, the sand became damp, somewhat counter productive.
As we left, we walked back through the roundhouse, feeling really grateful to the team who saved it from demolition, and enjoying a moment in front of the warm fire as the volunteers enjoyed a cosy break.
Thank you to them all. This is a really nice place to visit.
A diesel preservation society workshop is located on the same site, in another large building.
Outside, you can climb up a bank and see across to a sand tower, an idea that didn’t really work, but aimed to make engine wheels grip better by coating them with sand to improve their grip. Unfortunately, the sand became damp, somewhat counter productive.
As we left, we walked back through the roundhouse, feeling really grateful to the team who saved it from demolition, and enjoying a moment in front of the warm fire as the volunteers enjoyed a cosy break.
Thank you to them all. This is a really nice place to visit.
Written November 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dafydd M
Sheffield, UK156 contributions
Aug 2021
I've always liked Barrow Hill, so, after the privations of the (BEEP) pandemic, we wondered what it might be like, with 18 months of little work being done. We weren't disappointed, though. The few engines in the turntable were a delight to see, especially with some of them having steps up to the cab. As ever, all the personnel were bright, cheerful enthusiastic, which makes a visit anywhere much better. The cafe is tremendous, bright and airy, great quality and fabulously clean. The management even encouraged me to park my 1979 MGB GT on display in front of the building. A great day, 3 hours were never better spent
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S B
Lincolnshire, UK73 contributions
Mar 2022
We had read good reviews and having now visited Barrow Hill ourselves we heartily agree with them! Every staff member we spoke to came across as enthusiastic, welcoming, knowlegable and helpful. The exhibits were all displayed and explained very well, with just the right amount of detail so as to be informative without being off-putting - and if you wanted further information it was available by asking. We would heartily recommend Barrow Hill. We had great weather,but many of the exhibits are in the Roundhouse itself, so a dull or wet weather attraction too. A short drive away is Hollingwood Hub on the Chesterfield Canal, also worth a visit.
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Qualia1962
Swindon, UK49 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
If you're looking to see a great variety of steam, diesels, electric, carriages and wagons, this place is great. A real working engine shed.
Great value and friendly staff.
And of course, Deltics.
Great value and friendly staff.
And of course, Deltics.
Written June 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcus L
1 contribution
Jul 2022
We had a lovely trip to the roundhouse, the staff were very friendly and helpfull, 2 members of staff showed us round some of the locos being restored and painted which was very interesting. We had our lunches from the cafe and the food was great,really nice. The exhibits were well displayed and plenty of information about them. Once again many thanks to the helpfull and friendly volunteers from the four members of the Eden Valley railway.
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorry Julie E, we have only just seen your question, having just responded to your review (thank you again!). Having visited, you will now probably know that well behaved dogs are always welcome at Barrow Hill Roundhouse.
Written July 25, 2018
When is it open to the public as I've called twice in the past month and it's been closed. Why is there nothing on the web site to let the public know when it's opening? Gerald Rice.
Written April 4, 2017
Roundhouse has been closed for 're refurbishment but it is reopened just over one week ago.
Written October 3, 2017
I am going to watch cricket really 4th July but if its rains looking for somewhere to go
Written March 20, 2017
A further update to this following the Heritage Lottery funded project - there's now a tarmac path from the car park to the new entrance and an additional accessible toilet in the new build area. No more contending with gravel!
Written September 25, 2017
Hi, Paul Carrack will be performing at Barrow Hill, can anyone tell me if there is seating when a concert is on? Thank you for your help
Written May 17, 2015
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