THURSFORD STEAM ENGINE COLLECTION

The Thursford Steam Museum is closed until 2025

The Thursford Steam Museum is now closed until 2025; we will reopen on Sunday 6th April and close on Wednesday 3rd September 2025.

Come and see the world’s largest collection of steam engines and organs, hear Robert Wolfe one of the world’s leading theatre organists play the mighty Wurlitzer at 12.30pm and 2pm daily, ride on fairground carousels and the gondola and watch silent movies.

Please note fairground rides are subject to availability and are charged extra. They are not included in the admission price.

Enjoy lunch in the Barn Café and shop in our ‘Olde Worlde’ shopping village.

Please note the shops in the museum are now closed until 8th November 2024 when they reopen for our Christmas events. Our on line shop is open all year.

Opening Days & Times

Admission Prices

Admission Prices – £9 per person, Under 12s FREE

Entry for individuals is payable on the day in the Stable shop.

Rides (Charged as an extra to admission) – £3 per person, per ride for the Carousel and Gondola

A Group is 25+ paying visitors – please email [email protected] for further information.

Essential Companions – An essential companion is eligible for a discounted ticket (one per full paying visitor), subject to availability. These are payable on the day and there is no need to pre-book tickets.

Armed Forces Covenant

Thursford Enterprises are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, as such we offer regulars, reservists, veterans and their immediate families:

Half price entry (£4.50 per person) to the Thursford Museum for the service person and their family (U12s enter FOC) Museum tickets are payable on the day at the Museum, on presentation of the Armed Forces Defence discount card.

We are sorry, but no discounts are available for tour packages e.g. Steam Tour and our annual Gala Day.

Groups 25+

Group Bookings

A group booking consists of 25+ paying tickets.
Groups that arrive before 1pm, can qualify for the party rate to attend the museum. (Half price entry)
We do not require a deposit for group entrance, hospitality packages or tours.
Two weeks before a visit, groups must confirm if they are attending and provide us with final numbers.

Payment for entrance, tours and hospitality packages are due for payment one week before a group visit. An invoice will be sent via email following the confirmation of final numbers.
In the event that a group cancels their visit, any money already paid would be non-refundable.

Museum

We cannot guarantee songs played by Robert Wolfe on the day, customers can make requests before each show in the Stable shop.
On occasion, unexpected repairs and maintenance may need to be carried out on the Gondola, Gallopers and/or organs. This means we cannot guarantee that our rides or organs will be running. We strive to conduct all ongoing maintenance out of our Summer opening times, there would only be a disruption in the case of an unexpected, emergency repair. Please see the website ahead of your trip so that you are aware of any changes to the museum.

Barn Café

If customers are purchasing their own food individually from the barn café, please note there may be queues and wait times during busy periods as all food is made to order.
We recommend groups pre-ordering food from the barn as this reduces wait times for their customers. They can decide the time they wish their food to be served from. Please note, depending on the number of orders, there may be a longer serving window to get all the food out. Please note groups below 25 visitors cannot pre-order food from the Barn Café.
If a group is only able to pay on the day for pre-ordered food, we require that any food pre-ordered but not consumed on the day will still need to be paid for.

Hospitality Packages

Upon request, we can add the following to your museum visit for a more enhanced experience. Please note these are subject to availability.

- A backstage tour
- Catering Packages for up to 150 customers, (please note, there is a 50 customer maximum for Afternoon/Steam Teas.)
- Private dining area
- Linen Hire
- Pre-paid ride tokens

Please contact [email protected] to book a group visit, hospitality package or if you require further information.

Steam Engines

Mechanical Organs

Fairground Rides

Climb On-board!

There is an additional charge of £3 per ride, per person.

When you walk into the Thursford Fairground Collection, the colour, the lights, the movement, the music and all the magnificent machinery on display makes it hard to know where to look first! The two large fairground rides are inevitably very popular with our visitors who seek to experience the delight of riding on these magnificent machines! Our ‘1896 Savages 3-abreast set of Gallopers’ is a truly wonderful fairground ride for all the family to enjoy. Meanwhile, our very special Venetian Gondola Switchback Ride is true to its’ name! As ‘switchback’ suggests, the rider is taken over two hills and dips down into the following valleys whilst sitting in richly carved cars shaped like Venetian Gondolas. We also have a small hand cranked carousel perfect for children!

Please note our rides are vintage fairground rides therefore we cannot guarantee they will be in operation for your visit, please call the office before travelling to avoid disappointment.