THURSFORD STEAM ENGINE COLLECTION

NEW PLAY PARK
COMING SOON TO THURSFORD!

LET OFF STEAM THIS SUMMER!

The Thursford Steam Museum is open (Sunday through to Wednesday) from Sunday 6th April and will 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.

If you require a complimentary essential companion ticket, please remember to bring your Nimbus Access card or Thursford Digital Access Pass to show on entry or an essential companion ticket cannot be given. Apply here.

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

The Thursford Collection is open Sunday to Wednesday from 11am and closes at 4pm, last entry is at 3pm

(Except where closed for private events, see below).

Please note the museum will be closed on the following dates due to private events:

Sunday 24th August 2025

Sunday 31st August 2025

We are sorry, but we do not allow dogs on site except for our Gala Day, (Sunday 6th July 2025) where well behaved dogs are permitted in outside areas only. Got a question? Get in touch today.

GALA DAY 2025

FIND OUT MORE

WURLITZER EXPERIENCE

Approaching 50 years since arriving at Thursford, the Wurlitzer is the fourth largest in Europe with 1,339 pipes. Follow in the footsteps of resident organists, Robert Wolfe and Phil Kelsall with a truly unique experience. Step onto the Thursford stage and play the mighty organ, ride on the pit and look inside the organ chamber. Afternoon tea packages also available.

BOOK WURLITZER EXPERIENCE

VICTORY
EXPERIENCE

Get up close to Thursford’s flagship Showman’s engine, Victory with this one of a kind experience. Receive a front row seat and watch the historic scenic engine be placed into steam, take a ride on the footplate and look into the tender. This 90-minute experience is not to be missed following Victory’s huge restoration in 2023. Afternoon tea packages also available.

BOOK VICTORY EXPERIENCE

STEAM TOURS
2025

Discover the history of Thursford’s steam engines, fantastic fairground rides and mechanical organs with a special guided tour, led by a Steam Enthusiast. A unique opportunity to see original Showman’s engine, Victory be placed into steam and a look inside the tender. The day ends with a trailer ride pulled by the engine. Booking is online only.

SOLD OUT

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, tickets cannot be purchased in advance (except for group bookings, see below).

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 and to book.

Essential Companions – An essential companion is eligible for a discounted ticket. We require a NIMBUS Access Card or Thursford digital Access Pass as proof of eligibility with a +1 or +2 symbol. Please apply here in advance of your visit if you do not have one.

There are two versions of Access card; a free version called a Digital Access Pass for use at Thursford events only or alternatively an Access ID card which costs £15 and available for use at other venues who are signed up across the country (to see other venues click here)

Under 12s & Essential Companion tickets – please note there must be at least one full paying adult ticket with all essential companion and Under 12 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.

Parking is free of charge and there are plenty of spaces.

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.