Steam - Museum of the Great Western Railway

Steam - Museum of the Great Western Railway Tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway.
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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 Museum tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway - a railway network that, through the pioneering vision and genius of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was regarded as the most advanced in the world.

What are your plans for the weekend? Are you travelling anywhere by train?🚂 This image from August 1929 shows a busy Pl...
29/08/2026

What are your plans for the weekend? Are you travelling anywhere by train?🚂

This image from August 1929 shows a busy Platform 1 at Paddington Station. Fashionable ladies in their drop waist dresses and cloche hats have just arrived in London, perhaps heading to the West End. In amongst the crowd families with young children are waiting to board trains destined for the seaside towns of the South West.

89 days to go until the Great Western Brick Show… and October is getting closer!With hundreds of builders, traders, inte...
27/08/2026

89 days to go until the Great Western Brick Show… and October is getting closer!

With hundreds of builders, traders, interactive activities and incredible LEGO® displays all under one roof, there’s a full day out waiting for the whole family.

Join us on 10th & 11th October at STEAM Museum, Swindon.

In support of Swindon Children’s Scrapstore.

Powered by Brickish – For LEGO® Fans. By LEGO® Fans. Across the UK.

Tickets available now: https://gwbs.s.gy/gwbs26

🚂 GREAT WESTERN MONDAYS 🚂Where real railway history meets fan-built LEGO® creativity.At the Great Western Brick Show, yo...
27/08/2026

🚂 GREAT WESTERN MONDAYS 🚂

Where real railway history meets fan-built LEGO® creativity.

At the Great Western Brick Show, you can explore detailed LEGO® railway layouts and then get close to the full-size locomotives inside STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway.

One ticket gives you two brilliant experiences under one roof: more than 100 LEGO® displays and activities, plus full access to the museum.

📅 10–11 October 2026📍 STEAM, Swindon🎟️ Tickets: https://bit.ly/gwbs2026

Which do you want to see first—the LEGO® trains or the real locomotives?

Family Day OutLooking for a family day out this October?The Great Western Brick Show returns to STEAM Museum, Swindon on...
27/08/2026

Family Day Out

Looking for a family day out this October?

The Great Western Brick Show returns to STEAM Museum, Swindon on 10th & 11th October and it's a brilliant day for LEGO® fans of all ages.

There are over 100 incredible displays, Robot Battles, hands-on building activities, a huge Great Ball Contraption, LEGO® traders and your ticket also includes entry to STEAM Museum.

Whether you and your children love building, trains, vehicles, castles or space, there's something for everyone.

Tag who you are bringing this year
Tickets: https://gwbs.s.gy/gwbs26

August’s Object of the Month is a fascinating sight test board that was developed in 1877 by George Armstrong. The colo...
27/08/2026

August’s Object of the Month is a fascinating sight test board that was developed in 1877 by George Armstrong. The colour board is a wonderful new addition to our collection and is accompanied by a letter from Armstrong himself, detailing how the board should be used.

Armstrong’s instructions include four steps:
1. Test each eye of candidate as to recognition of colours
2. The black dots are clearly visible to a man with perfectly acute vision… Expose the board in full daylight at a distance of 15 feet from the candidate and examine as to numbers
3. Examine each eye separately taking care that the unused eye be merely covered and not pressed upon or closed
4. Vary the number and positions of the dots by covering some of them and by moving the board.

The colour board was used to test the sight and colour perception of staff such as engine drivers or signalmen, where perfect vision was critical for safety reasons.

At the time that he developed this colour board, George Armstrong was employed as the Locomotive Superintendent at the GWR’s Stafford Road Works in Wolverhampton. His focus was on developing the company’s standard gauge locomotives, but evidently, he had an interest in making improvements in other areas of the railway.

The sight test board at some point made its way into the possession of George’s great nephew, Ralph. Ralph Armstrong, like many others in his family, worked for the GWR and seemingly collected railway relics. The board was subsequently passed onto the family of the donor who kindly gifted it to the STEAM collection.

Why don’t you have a go at testing your eyes with Armstrong’s sight test board? 👀

Its the last week to take advantage of our Kids for a Quid offer which is on at STEAM throughout the summer holidays unt...
25/08/2026

Its the last week to take advantage of our Kids for a Quid offer which is on at STEAM throughout the summer holidays until the 31 August, meaning you can enjoy big summer days out for less!⁠ 🚂⁠
⁠
Children visit for just £1 when accompanied by a full paying adult – perfect for family adventures during the school holidays!⁠ ☀️⁠
⁠
See website for full details and to book your tickets now.⁠
⁠
*Offer excludes special events

Join us on Wednesday 26th August when we are opening our reconstructed Public Air Raid Shelter to visitors!This fascinat...
23/08/2026

Join us on Wednesday 26th August when we are opening our reconstructed Public Air Raid Shelter to visitors!

This fascinating space, usually only open to visiting school groups, is crammed full of original Second World War objects and ephemera.

The Air Raid Warden will sound our genuine air raid siren and usher visitors into the suitably dark and cramped space inside the shelter. There, visitors will discover how people kept their morale high and passed the time whilst the sound effects of the Blitz rumble on in the background.

This exciting summer holiday activity is suitable for ages 7 and over.* Tickets for the ‘Hands on’ Air Raid experience are £3.00 per person in addition to your entrance fee to the museum. Bookings can be made when booking your tickets online (select the air raid shelter add on option at checkout ) or book at the ticket desk on the day, but it is advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment as places are limited.

Air Raid sessions are at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.00pm and 2.00pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

*Children under 7 are welcome to book on to the experience but please be aware the experience includes being in a dark space with a siren sounding.

Todays post featuring holiday books published by the GWR to encourage travellers to take the train to destinations acros...
21/08/2026

Todays post featuring holiday books published by the GWR to encourage travellers to take the train to destinations across the network takes us back to Cornwall again.

The Western Land booklet was published in 1937. It describes the culture, industry, customs and legends of Cornwall. Its impressionist style cover illustrates the landscape and coastline of the area.

Don't forget to take advantage of our Kids for a Quid offer which is on at STEAM throughout the summer holidays until th...
19/08/2026

Don't forget to take advantage of our Kids for a Quid offer which is on at STEAM throughout the summer holidays until the 31 August, meaning you can enjoy big summer days out for less!⁠ 🚂⁠
⁠
Children visit for just £1 when accompanied by a full paying adult – perfect for family adventures during the school holidays!⁠ ☀️⁠
⁠
See website for full details and to book your tickets now.⁠
⁠
*Offer excludes special events

We are proud to let you know that STEAM is a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award Winner for 2026, ranking the Museum in...
17/08/2026

We are proud to let you know that STEAM is a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award Winner for 2026, ranking the Museum in the top 10% of attractions worldwide. 🎉 🚂

We're very grateful to everyone who has taken the time to leave us a review.

If you have visited the Museum recently, please consider supporting us by leaving a review on TripAdvisor.

We're always keen to hear from you. What was the best thing about your visit? Do you have a favourite GWR object or locomotive?

Thank you all for your continued support.

Address

Fire Fly Avenue
Swindon
SN22EY

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+441793466646

Website

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