Mike Day
07.03.2025
Brilliant day out and well worth the visit
Sorin Vasilcoi
07.03.2025
Great Railway Centre, very interesting exposure, layout and activities!
Jessie Richings
05.03.2025
We had a lovely day out over half term, enjoying the rides on the steam engines several times, the whole area is well laid out with multiple options for picnics and also food and drink which you can buy at the cafe. The kids loved the interactive museums and the well stocked gift shop as well. The train themed playarea also went down a treat and it was lovely that we could also take our dog with us too.
Mario de Freitas
20.01.2025
A delightful experience, a step back in time with a different rhythm. Lovely to walk amongst these magnificent giants of innovation and ingenuity. Well worth a visit to reflect on times gone by.
David Mott
27.02.2025
A really fun day out for the recent steam event, plenty to see on site, it was great to have a few rides in the trains and we were really impressed with the work that is being carried out to update the areas such as the new looking play area and several of the paths around the site. The best bit for us was exploring the sheds and getting really up close to some of the wonderful steam trains and carriages. The food in the cafe was well priced and the portions of chips were huge (and cooked well) will definitely be back in the future to explore in some warmer weather and when some of the work has been completed.
Helen Diana Salter
25.02.2025
Great fun. Lots to see.
Robert Abernethy
13.07.2023
Great Sunday morning out. It was a steam day so we got a fab ride on the steam train. My two year old loved it and didn't want to leave!
Avenues 2016
23.02.2025
I had been here with my family many times but this time I came here with my blind primary school friend who uses a wheelchair, along with a friend of hers who sees but also uses a wheelchair. The staff were most helpful in helping my friends on and off the heritage rolling stock and it was an amazing experience. We were also very glad the entrance ramp had been build in the last few years.
Damien Le Maistre
04.05.2022
Great line and variety of locos and great for filming, please check out on my YouTube Channel called Damien's Trains and Travels.
Daniel Willingham
19.02.2025
This is absolutely phenomenally brilliant and marvellous Railway Heritage Attraction and certainly one of the best in the UK. Conveniently situated next to Didcot Parkway Station making it great access for those visiting on the train but there are a host of car parks nearby to visit by Car. The Centre is dedicated to The Great Western Railway and is renowned as being the Living Museum of The Great Western Railway and there are host of excellent things to see dedicated to the Great Western Railway. The host of different things to see include The 1932 Engine Shed, The Signalling Centre, The Carriage and Wagon Display, Coal Stage, The Main Demonstration Line, The Branch Line, Locomotive Turntable, Transfer Shed, Transport Hangar, Museum, Air Raid Shelter & Brunel's Atmospheric Pipe and all of which are magnificent and give you a brilliant insight into The Great Western Railway. Visitors can enjoy a excellent steam train rides on the main demonstration line throughout the day on steam running days, which are really enjoyable and also there are rides on the railcar on the branch line which are just as good. The great thing about the place is all around the tracks and get right up close to the locomotive steam trains in the engine shed making it marvellously unique from other heritage railways and gives a better and greater visitor experience. In the Engine Shed, which is the best bit of this place as you can see the excellent range of Steam Locomotives on show including Pendennis Castle, Drysllwyn Castle, King George and King Edward II which are absolutely magnificently displayed and in outstanding condition. There are some information displays detailing their history and use on the Great Western Railway, which is very interesting and informative to read. The Signalling Centre is another great interactive aspect as adult and children can have a go at Signalling on the Railway and learn about the history of Railway Signalling from the Victorian period to the modern day and how it has evolved and changed. The Museum houses brilliant artefacts and memorabilia from the Great Western Railway and also learn a brief history of how the Great Western Railway was born through Brunel's work. In the Carriage and Wagon Displays you can learn about the various class systems of travels such as 1st Class etc and how people were transported in comfort when using the Great Western Railway. Other areas of interest include the Air Raid Shelter where you can learn how people on the Railways adapted during the World War Periods and The Transport Hangar you can learn about the vehicles that facilitated the transfer of goods and passengers to the railway stations which is good. There is also the Coal Stage where you can see how Coal was loaded onto the Locomotives and A Locomotive Turntable which is in great condition and as you wander around around the site you can see signage which is dedicated and attributed from the Great Western Railway. You can also see Brunel's Atmospheric Pipe, which is a great engineering feature for his vision of a Broad Gauge Railway. There is a gift shop and cafe selling a great of souvenirs, food & drink at reasonable prices. Overall this is an absolutely marvellous and sensational place to visit which makes for a great day and particularly for Railway enthusiasts and those who love The Great Western Railway. Well worth a visit whilst in the Oxford area.
Kevin Chapple
19.02.2025
Excellent. Enjoyable. Pleasant. Unhurried.
Fran Childs
26.04.2019
Interesting and exciting events coming up from now through to Easter and beyond, suitable for all the family. Ideal for a local day out with family and friends. Look at DRC's website for details and prices. Better still, become members!
Sergey Kozyrev
15.02.2025
The place is great from a technical and historical perspective. Toilets are a problem, especially when you have children with you. The caffe has room for improvement. Safety may be a concern since everything is mixed up: workshops, moving locomotives, visitors with children, etc. Perhaps there is no other way to showcase this technical beauty of past centuries, so visitors should think in advance. I saw children being frightened by the locomotive whistle.
Robert Barney
02.02.2025
Its ok
