Photo of Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre in East Midlands1 / 3
Trains & Railways

Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre

📍 Chesterfield, East Midlands

★4.7(1,169 Google reviews)💰£8-£12👶All ages

The UK's only surviving operational railway roundhouse houses historic steam and diesel locomotives around a working turntable. Train rides up the Springwell branch, signal box tours, and special event weekends with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

✓ Working turntable✓ Steam and diesel locomotives✓ Signal box tours✓ Special event days✓ Dog friendly✓ Gravel surfaces

🏆 Funzaroo Verdict

Best for train-obsessed families of all ages who want authentic railway heritage, not a theme park. Special event days deliver the most — unlimited train rides plus extra activities fill a full day. Gravel surfaces throughout the site require planning for those with pushchairs. Dogs are welcome on-site.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡Attend special event days for unlimited train rides and extra activities
⏰Signal box tours are highly recommended — check the day's schedule on arrival
🎟️Gravel surfaces are challenging for pushchairs — bring a carrier for young toddlers
🚗Dogs are welcome across the site

💬 What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →
4.7
★★★★★

1,169 Google reviews

G Reviews from Google

A

Adrian Case

6 months ago

★★★★★

“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.”

P

Paul Goodison

4 months ago

★★★★★

“Fantastic railway museum and heritage display of a roundhouse. Many historic engines from all over the UK displayed around the turntable of the roundhouse. An amazing signal box set up for displaying how signalling was developed over the years and educational displays with activities on how things work and the history of Barrow Hill. Absolutely loved it and recommend a visit for anyone interested in railways or families with children. Cafe is very good too!”

C

Colin Stone

4 weeks ago

★★★★★

“A nice place to visit thoroughly enjoyed it. Steam and Diesel Locomotives with some goods wagons. Some artifacts to see as well. The only operational turntable in the UK is housed there. Deltic preservation on site restoring the locos. Train rides are available. Bus to and from Chesterfield close by.”

💬 What parents mention

Authentic locomotives and turntableExcellent volunteer knowledgeSpecial event daysGravel access challenges

Overview

Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre preserves the UK's last working railway roundhouse, with historic steam and diesel locomotives arranged around a functional turntable. Families can ride the Springwell branch line, tour the signal box (runs regularly), explore railway exhibitions, and join special event weekends featuring wildlife activities and seasonal extras. The Deltic Preservation Society restores diesels on-site.

🕐 Opening Hours

Saturday10:00 – 16:00
Sunday10:00 – 16:00

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