Pre-arrival information- standard

Our staff and volunteers have been working hard to ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable day. 

Please Note:

• To open safely, we have limited visitor numbers and tickets need to be booked in advance. We have a 21-acre open air site so there will be plenty of room for the number of visitors we admit.
• If you have had contact with anyone infected with the virus or feel unwell, please don’t travel, contact us and we will change your booking without charge.
• Please arrive within your 30-minute timeslot. You’re then welcome to stay until we close at 4.00pm.
• Please have your original e-ticket ready to show staff. Please also bring your membership card if you’re a member.
• On arrival at Didcot Parkway Station, please show your ticket to GWR staff who will then let you through the barrier. Please note: face coverings are required in GWR's Didcot Parkway Station. Walk through the subway and straight ahead into the original steam age subway that leads to the Centre – please walk on the right and should you meet anyone in the subway, keep walking but stay as far apart as possible.
• Head up the stairs to the Railway Centre entrance
• On arrival, please use the hand sanitiser provided, then show your tickets and collect a Site Guide detailing the outdoor attractions and the spacious, well-ventilated buildings that we are able to open safely
• Further hand sanitiser dispensers are located near the entrance and at key points throughout the Centre.
• We will facilitate social distancing for the steam train rides, please observe the signs and requiests from pour staff and wait for our staff to invite you to board as groups will board one at a time.
• Sadly, we're not able to open everything at once. Some facilities aren't open, such as our Science of Railways Carriages, Air Raid Shelter and Signalling Centre.
• Our Refreshment Rooms will be operating a take-away service of hot and cold drinks and pre-packed snacks. There are handwashing facilities as you enter the Refreshment Rooms and picnic tables and benches around the Centre.
• Contactless payments are accepted in the Refreshment Rooms and gift shop.
• Toilets are available. These facilities are necessarily indoors in relatively confined areas – please pay extra attention to social distancing when entering or leaving these buildings, follow the directions provided on the signage and wash your hands using soap and water before leaving the facilities.
• We have increased the frequency of cleaning in the toilets and other key areas – should you have any concerns, please advise a member of staff.
• The gift shop and Museum will be open for limited hours and access will be controlled, please follow the directions on signs and from our stewards.
• Please follow social distancing and government guidance when you visit. There is sufficient space on site to remain 2m apart from other groups.
• Current Government guidance requires face coverings to be worn in the Gift Shop, Refreshment Rooms and Museum. Elsewhere on site, we have made arrangements to make social distancing as practical as possible and, as an outdoor heritage venue, face coverings are not mandatory in other areas.  We will not be issuing them to visitors, however you may wish to bring and wear your own, especially if you wish to visit the Gift Shop, Refreshment Rooms and Museum. As mentioned, to reach our entrance you pass through GWR's Didcot Parkway Station where face coverings are needed.
• Children must be supervised at all times and accompanying adults must ensure that children observe social distancing and other necessary measures.
• Dogs on leads are very welcome.

We look forward to welcoming you to Didcot Railway Centre.

Graham Hukins

Head of Visitor Experience & Marketing