Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre

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Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre Britain's last surviving operational railway roundhouse; a unique museum and event venue for families. Open Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 4pm.
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Barrow Hill Roundhouse is the last surviving railway roundhouse in the United Kingdom with an operational turntable. Built in 1870, it was threatened with demolition in 1991 when the site was closed by British Rail. It was saved by a group of dedicated volunteers who have transformed it into a premier railway venue. The Roundhouse is open to the general public every weekend between March and December. It is also the venue for several major events every year and attracts over 30,000 visitors annually. As well as the turntable and unique sheer legs (lifting gear), it has a changing display of steam and diesel locomotives and other rolling stock, a collection of artefacts and memorabilia, and an operational signal box and short running line. The Roundhouse was awarded Museum Accreditation by the Museums Libraries and Archives Council in 2010. Barrow Hill Roundhouse is also home to the Deltic Preservation Society. The site is connected to the national railway network and this has encouraged several commercial rail companies to base their activities at Barrow Hill, generating over 60 jobs and making a valuable contribution to the local economy. Clients include East Midlands Railway, Network Rail, DRS, GBRf, Freightliner, Colas, The Northern Belle, Harry Needle Railroad Company, Rampart Engineering and NewRail (railway research facility affiliated to Newcastle University). With good rail and road connections, a large car park and on-site catering, the Roundhouse is a popular choice for railway industry demonstrations and product launches. It is also an interesting and different venue for corporate away days.

It’s an absolutely gorgeous day here at the Roundhouse as we get ready to welcome our Sunday visitors to our Train Runni...
11/10/2026

It’s an absolutely gorgeous day here at the Roundhouse as we get ready to welcome our Sunday visitors to our Train Running weekend.

The Class 26 26007, courtesy of Victor Korzienwicz and Jordi Thoel, supported by the Class 03 03066 will be hauling the trains today.

We also have our resident road roller, courtesy of Laurie Fletcher, currently getting up steam ready for a trundle around the site.

Yesterday we welcomed the Lincolnshire Automobile Club with a wonderful display of vintage vehicles. Today it’s the turn of the St Leger Chapter Harley Davidson Owners Group who will be arriving later with their magnificent motor bikes.

We are open until 4.00pm today. Admission includes unlimited train rides from 10.30am to 2.30pm approx.

See you soon.

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**TRAIN RUNNING WEEKEND UPDATE**Well we’ve certainly got a pretty busy weekend lined up for visitors on 10 & 11 October!...
07/10/2026

**TRAIN RUNNING WEEKEND UPDATE**

Well we’ve certainly got a pretty busy weekend lined up for visitors on 10 & 11 October!

First up it’s just been confirmed that we’ll be running the Class 26 26007 courtesy of Victor Korzienwicz and Jordi Thoel, supported by the Class 03 03066 on the trains this weekend. But that’s not all!

On Saturday we will welcome members of the Lincolnshire Automobile Club along with an amazing line up of vintage cars, which will be on display for all our visitors to admire. And the Roundhouse’s resident road roller will be in steam and also on display.

Then on Sunday we will welcome the St Leger Chapter, a Harley Davidson owners group based in Doncaster, who are bringing their magnificent motorbikes to the Roundhouse, again for visitors to admire.

Perhaps we should have named this weekend the “Barrow Hill Mixed Traffic Gala”!

Anyway whatever you want to call it, there will definitely be plenty to see and do this weekend at the Roundhouse! The Deltic Preservation Society will also be open on both days and there will be turntable and signal box demonstrations.

📍 Barrow Hill Roundhouse
📅 10 & 11 October 2026
🕰️ 10am to 4pm - train rides 10.30am-2.30pm
🎫 Available on the day (no pre-booking) - admission includes train rides

See you soon.

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Chesterfield
Kids in Museums
Visit Peak District & Derbyshire
Derbyshire Museums and Heritage Forum

25/09/2026

On Thursday 24 September we were proud to welcome local schools and businesses to the Roundhouse for “Made in Chesterfield” to mark National Manufacturing Day.

The Roundhouse building - steeped in over 150 years of industrial use - alongside our amazing brand new DRIIVe railway innovation centre was the perfect venue to introduce these brilliant students to the opportunities available to them on their educational journey.

Our thanks to Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council for organising and supporting the day and Toby Perkins MP for his words of encouragement to the students.

Wondering what to do on this lovely sunny Sunday? Why not pop along to the Roundhouse for our September Train Running Da...
20/09/2026

Wondering what to do on this lovely sunny Sunday? Why not pop along to the Roundhouse for our September Train Running Days.

Class 26 26007 is doing the honours on the train rides today, supported by the Class 02 D2868. Trains run 10.30am to 2.30pm and the Roundhouse is open until 4.00pm today.

As well as train rides, we have turntable and signal box demos, The Deltic Preservation Society depot is open and our friends The Chesterfield Canal Trust Limited are here too.

We’re all set up and ready to go, engine running, token delivered and sun shining, as ordered!

So come along and join in the fun.

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18/09/2026

It’s September, the nights are drawing in and the summer holidays seem like a distant memory don’t they!

But fear not, the fun continues here at the Roundhouse with another of our popular Train Running Weekends this Saturday and Sunday 19 & 20 September.

Class 26 26007 is doing the honours, with thanks to Victor Korzienwicz and Jordi Thoel, assisted by the Roundhouse Class 02 D2868.

We will also be joined by our friends from The Chesterfield Canal Trust this weekend, here to tell you all about the latest exciting developments in the Canal’s restoration.

We are open 10.00am to 4.00pm. Admission tickets include unlimited train rides on the Springwell branch line. Trains run between 10.30am and 2.30pm approximately.

See you soon!

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18/09/2026

It’s September, the nights are drawing in and the summer holidays seem like a distant memory don’t they!

But fear not, the fun continues here at the Roundhouse with another of our popular Train Running Weekends this Saturday and Sunday 19 & 20 September.

Class 26 26007 is doing the honours, with thanks to Victor Korzienwicz and Jordi Thoel, assisted by the Roundhouse Class 02 D2868.

We will also be joined by our friends from The Chesterfield Canal Trust this weekend, here to tell you all about the latest exciting developments in the Canal’s restoration.

We are open 10.00am to 4.00pm. Admission tickets include unlimited train rides on the Springwell branch line. Trains run between 10.30am and 2.30pm approximately.

See you soon!

🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

**SEPTEMBER SOCIAL EVENING**Don’t forget it’s the next instalment of the Barrow Hill social evening calendar this Thursd...
15/09/2026

**SEPTEMBER SOCIAL EVENING**

Don’t forget it’s the next instalment of the Barrow Hill social evening calendar this Thursday 17 September. Doors open at 7pm.

We will be welcoming back Richard Binding with Part 4 of his photographic journey from Penzance to Paddington. This chapter will start at Exeter and head towards London, including Kingswear and Ilfracombe

Featuring steam and diesel traction from the 1890s to 2000s, broad gauge to HST – no Hitachi IETs or Voyagers to be seen. As well as the varied motive power we will look at the structures and signalling.

Richard’s presentation will take place in the Roundhouse lecture theatre, commencing at 19.30 and finishing between 21.45 and 22.00.

Entry is via the Commercial entrance (electric gate), which is open between approximately 19.00 and 19.25 to allow a prompt start at 19.30.

Hot and cold drinks are available from the buffet before 19.30 and during the interval.

Admission is £3.00 for members and £5.00 for non-members.

Free parking on site.

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What a weekend, what a show and what an awesome crowd!! We can promise that Bricks in the Roundhouse will definitely be...
31/08/2026

What a weekend, what a show and what an awesome crowd!! We can promise that Bricks in the Roundhouse will definitely be back again in 2027 after such a stunningly successful debut!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who made the first ever Bricks in the Roundhouse Show a truly unforgettable experience for all our visitors.

A special thank you to Dan and Niki from Bricks in the Roundhouse Exhibitors and Traders 2026, who have been working on the Show for months with the Barrow Hill team.

We’re all going to take a well earned day off but the planning for Bricks in the Roundhouse 2027 will start very soon so watch this space!

We don’t know how long this link will be available but take a look while you can as it gives a taste of some of the fun ...
29/08/2026

We don’t know how long this link will be available but take a look while you can as it gives a taste of some of the fun to be had at Bricks in the Roundhouse this weekend!!

Watch the latest from ITV News - Chesterfield hosts brand new Bricks in the Roundhouse event featuring miniature train sets

WOW! What an AMAZING first day for our new Bricks in the Roundhouse Show. Definitely the best place to be on a rainy ban...
29/08/2026

WOW! What an AMAZING first day for our new Bricks in the Roundhouse Show. Definitely the best place to be on a rainy bank holiday weekend!!

And we’re going to do it all again tomorrow Sunday 30 August. Doors open at 10.00am

Visitors can enjoy some incredible layouts celebrating 60 years of LEGO Trains, lots of other wonderful layouts too, plenty of brick building and competitions to enjoy, trade stands, train rides (10.30am - 3.00pm) and steam rollers too!

There are still plenty of tickets available on line from https://www.seetickets.com/tour/bricks-in-the-roundhouse-2026 and on the gate on Sunday.

Address

Campbell Drive, Barrow Hill
Chesterfield
S432PR

Opening Hours

Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

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