Steam Train Butler Henderson in the Round house
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Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre

4.6
·1k reviews·Barrow Hill, United Kingdom

A historic 1870s working roundhouse preserving iconic locomotives, with engaging demonstrations and special events.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Event Days

More activities and atmosphere

CrowdMedium
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Steam Train Butler Henderson in the Round house

Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre

Best Time

Event Days

More activities and atmosphere

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A historic 1870s working roundhouse preserving iconic locomotives, with engaging demonstrations and special events.

4.6
(1k reviews)

"A hidden gem for railway enthusiasts, offering charm, information, and hands-on experiences."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Check Event Schedule

Plan around special event days for train rides, demos, and more!

🎟️ Book Event Tickets Online

Popular events like 'Shine a Light' sell out. Book in advance!

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Working Roundhouse

The Working Roundhouse

Main Roundhouse

Step back in time in this 1870s working roundhouse, home to a fascinating collection of historic locomotives.

Deltic Preservation Society

Deltic Preservation Society

Deltic Shed

See the iconic Class 55 Deltics up close, including those undergoing restoration. A must for diesel locomotive enthusiasts.

Turntable Demonstrations

Turntable Demonstrations

Turntable Area

Witness the impressive midday demonstration of the historic railway turntable in action – a captivating spectacle.

Signal Box Tours

Signal Box Tours

Signal Box

Experience a unique tour of a traditional, working lever-frame signal box, offering a glimpse into railway operations.

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Planning Your Visit

Event Days are Key

For the full experience, plan your visit around special event days. These often feature train rides, model railways, and demonstrations, making it a lively and engaging visit for all ages. Check their schedule in advance!

Book Ahead for Special Events

Popular events like 'Shine a Light' can sell out. Booking tickets online in advance is highly recommended to avoid disappointment and secure your spot for these unique experiences.

Best Times

When
Event Days
Why
More activities and atmosphere
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekdays (non-event)
Why
Quieter, focused exploration
Crowd
Low
When
December Evenings
Why
Special 'Shine a Light' events
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Part 2 - Age of Steam Roundhouse 🚂 - Sugarcreek OH #steamlocomotive #roundhouse #railroad #steam
@lstraubbruce
10.5K likes • 105.7K views

🎯 Check Event Schedule

Plan around special event days for train rides, demos, and more! Reddit

🎟️ Book Event Tickets Online

Popular events like 'Shine a Light' sell out. Book in advance! Instagram

🚨 NOW OPEN! 🚨 All aboard for Roundhouse Playtime at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park! 🚂🎉 🕐 Choose your adventure: 1️⃣ Hour Play or 2️⃣ Hour Play — sessions are timed with color-coded wristbands 🎟️✨ 📢 Staff will announce exits every half hour, and last entry is 30 minutes before closing! 🎟️ PRICING: $6 = 1 hour ⏱️ (2 tickets) $12 = 2 hours 🕰️ (4 tickets) ⭐ Kids 2 & under play FREE (adult must pay i...
@_littles.and.lattes_
8.3K likes • 152.5K views
Don't miss Shine a Light at Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre On again tomorrow evening (9th December) Amazing experience. Book your tickets at https://www.livetickets.org/whats-on/shine-a-light-barrow-hill-roundhouse/ #LoveChesterfield
chesterfielduk
32 likes • 1.4K views

🚶‍♀️ Explore the Deltic Shed

See iconic Class 55 Deltics, some undergoing restoration. TikTokInstagram

🔄 Don't Miss Turntable Demo

The midday turntable demonstration is a highlight. Reddit

No longer bearing her proud name. But we know who she is. #class37 #37401 at Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre #uktrainspotting #trains #diesellocomotive #britishrailways #railway #railways
adrian__watson
65 likes • 1.9K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Check Event Schedule

Plan around special event days for train rides, demos, and more! Reddit

🎟️ Book Event Tickets Online

Popular events like 'Shine a Light' sell out. Book in advance! Instagram

🚶‍♀️ Explore the Deltic Shed

See iconic Class 55 Deltics, some undergoing restoration. TikTokInstagram

🔄 Don't Miss Turntable Demo

The midday turntable demonstration is a highlight. Reddit

☕ Cafe & Burger Van

Good food options available on-site during events. Reddit

:athletic_shoe: Wear Comfy Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking around the extensive site. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.6
(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Barrow Hill Roundhouse as a charming and informative heritage site, especially on event days. The collection of locomotives, working demonstrations like the turntable and signal box tours, and the friendly volunteers are frequently highlighted as major positives. While not a vast transport museum, its character and value for money make it a hidden gem for railway enthusiasts and families alike.

"We spent Saturday 27th September visiting the train running day, we spent all day there 10am - 4pm and enjoyed it a immensely. You could ride on the train as many times a you wanted and there was lots to see and experience during our visit, with multiple model railway layouts set up inside the roundhouse on this day. Barrow Hill Roundhouse was buzzing with plenty of activity, there is a good cafe inside and a good quality burger van parked within the site opposite on this day. The toilets were clean, well maintained and fit for purpose. Dogs are welcome and several were in attendance. All the volunteers and staff I encountered well very helpful and friendly, a special mention to Derek, who gave us a great talk about the working of the signal box, tours of the box were on the hour and lasted about 30 minutes, thank you Derek and all your colleagues at BH. I have provided plenty of pictures to help illustrate what the Roundhouse has to offer, if you want to see the trains in action visit my You Tube channel Maddymaddog

Barrow Hill Roundhouse is well worth a visit on an event day, plenty of parking was available. We had a short wait queuing to get in, about 5 or so minutes, I put that down to the popularity of the day and it didn't detract. It cost me (adult) £16 to get in, which personally I thought was good value spending all day there, worth 5 stars, have a day there if your into railways."

Adrian Case

"If you like trains, industrial heritage, or engineering, Barrow Hill is well worth a visit. It’s charming, informative, and hands-on enough to keep both children and grown-ups interested. Maybe not the best if you want a full day-long museum of transport, but as a historic site with character, and excellent value, it’s a hidden gem."

lee hallam

"Lovely little day out. £10 entry, a nice selection of preserved locos. The midday demonstration of the turntable is definitely worth attending. We also enjoyed the breakfasts available in the cafe, and there's a nice (small) gift shop."

James Smith

What People Like

Working roundhouse atmosphere
Historic locomotive collection
Friendly and knowledgeable volunteers

What People Dislike

Can be less engaging on non-event days

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Barrow Hill Roundhouse is located in Staveley, near Chesterfield. It's accessible by car with parking available on-site, especially during event days.Reddit For public transport, you can take a train to Chesterfield station and then a local bus or taxi to the Roundhouse. Check local bus routes for the most up-to-date information.

Yes, there is parking available at the Roundhouse. During special event days, parking is usually plentiful, though it can get busy due to popularity.Reddit Arriving early is advisable on these days.

While driving is convenient, public transport is an option. You can reach Chesterfield by train and then take a bus or taxi to Staveley. It's recommended to check local bus timetables in advance.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Entry fees can vary, especially for special event days. General admission is around £10 for adults, with event days costing more, such as £16 for an all-day ticket.Reddit It's best to check their official website for the most current pricing and event-specific ticket information.

For general visits, booking in advance might not be strictly necessary, but it's always a good idea to check their website. For special events, such as 'Shine a Light', booking tickets online in advance is highly recommended as they can sell out.Instagram

Opening hours can vary significantly depending on whether it's a regular day or a special event. Event days typically run from around 10 am to 4 pm.Reddit Always check the Barrow Hill Roundhouse website for the most accurate and up-to-date opening times for your planned visit.

Information on specific discounts for children or seniors isn't always detailed online, but it's common for heritage sites to offer concessions. It's advisable to inquire directly with the Roundhouse or check their ticketing page for any available discounts.

🎫 🚂 Onsite Experience

You can explore a collection of historic locomotives, including steam, diesel, and electric engines, many in an original 1870s roundhouse setting.Reddit Highlights include Deltic locomotives,TikTokInstagram turntable demonstrations,Reddit and tours of a working signal box.Reddit Event days often feature model railways and short train rides.Reddit

Yes, short passenger train rides are occasionally offered, often pulled by various diesel locomotives.Instagram These are typically available on special event days and provide a brief but enjoyable experience.

Absolutely! Families often enjoy the hands-on aspects, cab displays, and the chance to see and learn about trains.Reddit The site is engaging for both children and adults interested in railways and industrial heritage.

Photography is generally welcomed at Barrow Hill Roundhouse. You'll find plenty of opportunities to capture images of the historic locomotives and the unique roundhouse setting.Instagram+3

'Shine a Light' is a special evening event, often held in December, where the roundhouse is illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere. It's a popular event that requires advance booking.Instagram

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there's a cafe on-site that serves breakfast and other meals.Reddit During event days, a burger van is also often present, offering additional food options.Reddit

While specific policies on bringing your own food aren't always stated, it's generally acceptable at outdoor heritage sites. However, with on-site food options like a cafe and burger van, you might prefer to sample their offerings.Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The entire roundhouse offers fantastic photographic opportunities, from the locomotives lined up Instagram to the turntable area.Instagram Don't miss capturing the details of the engines, the unique architecture of the roundhouse, and any special events like 'Shine a Light'.Instagram

Yes, you can get quite close to many of the locomotives for photography. Some areas, like the Deltic shed, offer excellent opportunities to photograph specific engines.Instagram+1

Generally, photography is encouraged. However, always be mindful of any restricted areas or safety notices, especially when near operational equipment or during demonstrations.

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Barrow Hill Roundhouse is a fantastic outing for families. Children are often captivated by the sheer size of the locomotives and the chance to see them up close.Reddit The cab displays on some engines are a particular hit, allowing kids to imagine themselves as engineers. On event days, the short train rides offer a thrilling experience, and the presence of model railways adds another layer of entertainment.Reddit The volunteers are generally very friendly and happy to engage with younger visitors, making it an educational and fun day out.

🚂 Railway Enthusiasts

For dedicated railway enthusiasts, Barrow Hill is a pilgrimage site. The original 1870s roundhouse is a rare survivor, and the collection of locomotives, spanning steam, diesel, and electric eras, is impressive.Reddit The focus on restoration projects, especially the Deltic locomotives,TikTokInstagram offers a unique insight into the ongoing work of heritage preservation. The opportunity to tour a working signal box Reddit and witness turntable demonstrations Reddit provides an unparalleled look at operational railway heritage.

📸 Photographers

Photographers will find a wealth of subjects at Barrow Hill. The historic roundhouse architecture provides a dramatic backdrop for the locomotives.Instagram Capturing the details of engines like the Deltics Instagram or the engineering wagons Instagram offers great close-up opportunities. The turntable Instagram and the signal box Reddit are also prime spots. For unique shots, consider visiting during the 'Shine a Light' event for atmospheric evening photography.Instagram

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Iconic Deltic Locomotives

Barrow Hill Roundhouse is a significant location for fans of the Class 55 Deltic locomotives. These powerful diesel-electric engines, once the pride of British Rail's express passenger services, are a major draw. The Roundhouse is home to several Deltics, some of which are undergoing meticulous restoration by dedicated groups like the Deltic Preservation Society.TikTokInstagram Seeing these giants up close, and learning about the efforts to bring them back to their former glory, is a highlight for many visitors.

Visitors can often get up close to these locomotives, and sometimes even explore their cabs, which is particularly exciting for families.Reddit The presence of these iconic machines solidifies Barrow Hill's reputation as a key site for diesel locomotive enthusiasts and a place to witness railway history being preserved and revived.

A Working Heritage Site

Unlike many static museums, Barrow Hill Roundhouse retains its character as a working heritage railway centre. The 1870s roundhouse itself is a testament to Victorian engineering, and the site actively maintains and restores locomotives.Instagram+1 This means visitors can often witness demonstrations, such as the operation of the historic turntable,InstagramReddit and even take short train rides pulled by resident engines.Instagram

The inclusion of a working signal box, offering tours as part of the entry fee, further enhances the immersive experience.Reddit This hands-on approach, combined with the passion of the volunteers, makes Barrow Hill a truly special place for anyone interested in the operational side of railways, not just the static display of engines.

Special Events and Experiences

Barrow Hill Roundhouse truly comes alive during its special event days. These occasions transform the site into a bustling hub of activity, often featuring multiple model railway layouts, visiting locomotives, and the chance to ride the rails.Reddit The 'Shine a Light' event, held in the evenings, is particularly noteworthy, bathing the roundhouse and its engines in a magical glow.Instagram

These events are crucial for experiencing the full breadth of what Barrow Hill offers. They provide a dynamic atmosphere that goes beyond simply viewing static exhibits, allowing visitors to engage with the heritage in a more interactive and memorable way. Planning a visit around one of these events is highly recommended for the most comprehensive and enjoyable experience.

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