STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway
STEAM is situated in the heart of what was once one of the largest railway engineering complexes in the world. STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway is housed in a beautifully restored Grade II railway building in the heart of the former Swindon railway works. The Grade II listed structure now occupied by STEAM is a complex piece of industrial archaeology. It consists of a number of buildings built over a long period.
The Museum tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway - 'God’s Wonderful Railway' - a railway network that, through the pioneering vision and genius of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was regarded as the most advanced in the world. STEAM brings to life the exploits of Isambard Kingdom Brunel - the flamboyant engineer, and acknowledged genius, behind the creation of the GWR.Museum gives you the chance to experience the sights and sounds of the GWR works at Swindon - famous as the place where many of the best steam locomotives in the world were built - and to hear the stories of the men and women who worked there.
STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway, is in the heart of the former Swindon Railway Works. The museum tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway, a network that, through the pioneering vision and genius of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, set the standard for rail travel.
This story is brought to life with videos - mixing rare archive film footage with the stories of ex-railway workers - and hands-on exhibits and interactive displays, famous locomotives and GWR memorabilia. The museum is peopled by character figures life-cast from Swindon people - many of them former railway workers.
Stepping into the museum, visitors are taken into the world of the railway worker at Swindon, passing through a series of reconstructions, carefully assembled using original equipment, supported by video and interactive displays.
STEAM is a fascinating journey for all the family, through the life and times of the GWR...
VISITORS INFORMATION:
STEAM is open 10.00am-5.00pm every day of the week throughout the year.
Last admission to STEAM is at 4.30pm.
The STEAM Shop is open 10.00am-5.00pm.
| Normal Admission Prices |
| Adults |
£6.40 each |
| Children aged 3 to 16 |
£4.25 each |
| Children under 3 |
free |
| Senior citizens |
£4.25 each |
| Students |
£4.25 each |
| Family ticket (two adults and two children) |
£17.00 |
| Family ticket (two adults and three children) |
£20.20 |
Special discounts apply for groups of 15 or more
Special admission prices apply for some events at STEAM. Check our 'What's On' section.
SwindonCard Holders
Adults: £4.75 each
SwindonCard Concession 1 Card Holders
Adults, juniors and senior citizens: £3.20 each
SwindonCard Concession 2 Card Holders
Adults, juniors and senior citizens: £2.20 each
Season Tickets
A STEAM Season Ticket offers unlimited visits for individuals and families for one year.
Individual: £25.45 each
Senior/Concession: £15.95 each
Family (two adults and two children): £58.40
Family (two adults and three children): £74.25
Museum is pleased to provide the following facilities and services:
An experience of sights, sounds, smell and touch
Free admission to carers or helpers assisting a disabled visitor
Free loan of wheelchair or motorised scooter
Fully accessible toilets, fitted with call point
Personal guiding scheme for unaccompanied disabled visitors (booking required)
Subtitled video and large print information panels throughout STEAM
Low-level counters at the Ticket Desk, Shop and Cafe
Induction loop system at the Ticket Desk
Easy to read sign age
Guide, Hearing and Assistance dogs welcome (dog bowls available)
Automatic entrance doors
Adult changing room
Free parking for disabled visitors is available within 25 metres of STEAM. Disabled visitors can be dropped off outside the museum entrance. There is level access to STEAM from all car parking areas. Please phone for details.
How To Find Us:
By Road
Follow the brown tourist signs for the Designer Outlet Centre, Great Western Heritage Area, or the ‘M’ for STEAM Museum sign.
STEAM can be found to the left of the Food Court entrance of the Designer Outlet Centre.
STEAM can also be reached through the ‘at home’ section of the Designer Outlet Centre.
Retain your admission ticket and claim free parking at the Swindon Designer Outlet Centre car park. Details are available when visitors buy their admission tickets at STEAM.
There is a Park-and-Ride service in Swindon that will take you into the town centre. STEAM is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the drop-off point. The Park-and-Ride is in Wroughton just off the A4361and is clearly signposted. The adult fare is £2.20 return.
By Rail
Swindon Station is on the main London Paddington to Bristol line.
There is a taxi rank just outside the station.
Walking from Swindon railway station – turn right outside the station and walk along Station Road towards Emlyn Square, staying on the right-hand side of the road. Walk through the second underpass on the right – signed Great Western Business Centre, and up the ramp at the end.
At the top of the ramp, you will see the National Monuments Record Centre on your right. Walk past the NMRC, turn left and follow the pedestrian route to STEAM. At the far end, turn left for the main entrance.
This is a 10 to 15 minute walk.
Address:
STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway
Kemble Drive
Swindon
SN2 2TA