Guidance for Visitors
We hope you enjoy your visit to Barrow Hill Roundhouse. Please may we ask that you take note of the following to ensure the well-being of our staff, volunteers, other visitors and yourself; and to make everyone’s Roundhouse experience a happy one:
- Wear a face covering in the Shop unless you are exempt.
- If there is a queue for entry, please wait outside the Shop until you are called forward.
- Maintain a sensible distance from other visitors, particularly around the interactive display areas and museum exhibitions.
- Follow the one-way system in place through the Shop and museum areas.
- The Roundhouse and outside areas are not part of the one- way system but please allow space for other visitors and our volunteers.
- Use the hand sanitiser dispensers that are located around the Roundhouse.
- Dispose of any rubbish in the bins provided or take it home with you.
We have an enhanced cleaning regime in place but if you see anything that requires our attention, please let us know.
Thank you for your understanding and enjoy your visit.
Welcome to Barrow Hill, Britain's last surviving working Roundhouse...
Whatever your memories of Britain’s railways you’ll be amazed at what you can see at Barrow Hill and its preserved Roundhouse.
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 unique railway museum and events venue.
As well as the turntable and shear legs (lifting gear), it has a changing display of steam and diesel locomotives and other rolling stock, an operational signal box, the Roundhouse Halt platform and Springwell Branch running line. Interpretative displays using items from the Museum’s own collection bring the fascinating story of the Roundhouse and the surrounding area vividly to life.
The Roundhouse has an exciting calendar of events throughout the year including regular favourites such as the Rail Ale Beer & Music Festival and a series of weekend themed activities for all the family. Details of forthcoming events can be found on our What’s On page.
Barrow Hill is also home to the Deltic Preservation Society's maintenance depot and museum, adjacent to the Roundhouse. The Deltic Preservation Society's depot is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 4pm, and during some of Barrow Hill's special events.
Entry by donation.
Charges apply on special event days.
Cafe available for food and refreshments.
Please visit our shop selling railway memorabilia and souvenirs.
Our opening hours are Saturdays and Sundays 10.00am-4.00pm. Closed Monday to Friday, including Bank Holidays.
There is a diversion in place due to a road closure at Junction 29a of the M1; this will add approximately 10 minutes to your journey time if you use this route to reach the Roundhouse. This diversion will be in place until 31st March 2015.
Roundhouse Successful with Emergency Funding from Arts Council, England and The National Lottery...
Click here to read the full article.
Become a Roundhouse Top Link business sponsor . . .
Roundhouse Top Link is an exclusive group of 24 business sponsors – the number of ‘roads’ leading from the turntable.
We are delighted to announce our two latest Top Link Business sponsors; Pindari Ltd and T&C Williams (Builders) Ltd. Through recruiting more sponsors we hope to raise just over £40,000 of match funding for the Moving Forward project at Barrow Hill.
Please click here for more information.
