Business Details
Discover Great Western Railway History
We are STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway, housed in a beautifully restored Grade II listed railway building at the heart of Swindon's former railway works. Our institution preserves and shares the remarkable legacy of the Great Western Railway, celebrating the achievements of the engineers, workers, and passengers who shaped this iconic transport network. Through immersive exhibits, historic locomotives, and interactive displays, we bring to life Isambard Kingdom Brunel's visionary engineering and the human stories behind 'God's Wonderful Railway'. Our dedicated team curates extensive archives, educational programmes, and special exhibitions that explore both technical innovations and everyday experiences from the GWR era.With accessible facilities across our museum spaces, including wheelchair access and family-friendly activities, we welcome visitors to engage with railway history through hands-on experiences like our signal box simulator and historic station platform recreation. Our onsite caf and retail shop offer additional opportunities to extend your visit, while our venue hire services provide unique settings for conferences, weddings, and special events within this historic industrial heritage site.
Services
Museum Exhibits
Caf
Shop
Venue Hire
Educational Programmes
Archives Access
Special Exhibitions
Railway Tours
Event Catering
Group Bookings
Highlights and features
- We offer unique access to original GWR locomotives and historic railway works
- Our interactive exhibits engage visitors of all ages with hands-on learning
- We provide specialist educational programmes aligned with national curriculum standards
- Our venue combines historic industrial architecture with modern accessibility features
- We maintain extensive archives and picture libraries for historical research
What people say
Hands-on exhibits
Historic locomotives
Family-friendly
Educational value
Well-preserved building
Services
Museum Exhibits
Explore our extensive railway exhibits featuring historic locomotives, interactive displays, and recreated environments from the Great Western Railway era. Discover original engineering drawings, staff memorabilia, and passenger experiences through curated collections spanning 150 years of railway history. Our exhibits combine preserved artifacts with modern interpretation techniques to engage visitors of all ages.
Educational Programmes
We deliver curriculum-linked educational experiences for Early Years through Key Stage 2 pupils, including hands-on workshops and guided tours of our historic railway works. Our programmes combine practical learning with historical context, focusing on engineering principles, industrial heritage, and social history. Specialist resources support cross-curricular learning in science, history, and design technology.
Venue Hire
Host events in our unique railway heritage spaces including the Great Western Hall, Hawksworth Hall, and restored station platform. Accommodating up to 700 delegates, our venues combine historic character with modern facilities for conferences, weddings, and corporate events. Complimentary parking and specialist catering services enhance your event experience within this Grade II listed building.
Archives Access
Access our extensive railway archives containing technical drawings, staff records, photographs, and operational documents from the Great Western Railway era. Our reference library supports academic research and family history investigations with specialist collections including staff magazines, timetables, and engineering specifications. Digital picture library access available for commercial and personal projects.
Special Exhibitions
Experience our changing programme of special exhibitions exploring specific themes from railway history, including 'A Job for Life' examining railway workers' careers and 'Doing Time' focusing on apprenticeships. These curated displays feature rarely-seen artifacts, personal stories, and interactive elements that provide deeper insights into specific aspects of railway heritage and operations.
Questions
What are STEAM Museum's opening hours?
We're open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm) and Sunday 11am-4pm (last entry 3pm). Special holiday hours apply at Christmas and New Year.
Are there parking facilities available?
Yes, we offer free parking for visitors with spaces for disabled badge holders. Season ticket holders receive complimentary parking for 12 months.
Can I bring a school group for educational visits?
We welcome school groups with curriculum-linked programmes for Early Years to Key Stage 2. Pre-booking is required with special rates for educational visits.
Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?
We provide wheelchair access via lifts and ramps throughout most areas. One accessible toilet is available, though some historic exhibits have limited access.
Do you have dining facilities onsite?
Platform One Café serves hot and cold drinks with homemade cakes and sandwiches daily during museum opening hours. No admission ticket required for café access.
Can I host events at STEAM Museum?
We offer venue hire for conferences, weddings, and special occasions in our historic railway spaces with capacity for up to 700 delegates.
