Brick Adventures at Didcot Railway Centre

This is not just a brick show. Having visited shows all over the country, we thought we would add another twist! How about 24 acres of Great Western Railway history, unlimited train rides, an original 1932 engine shed housing over 20 locomotives, a carriage shed showing beautifully restored coaches and wagons and an archive that shows snippets of railway heritage from the 1800's to date? Not to mention some really unique, one of a kind exhibits.

Your entry fee not only covers your entry to Didcot Railway Centre, but includes Brick Adventures too, so you get two events for the price of one. It's a great day out for all the family.

If you love the brick, join us for Brick Adventures and celebrate the world's most popular building brick, delight in the displays on show, which this year include the amazing Block Party Robot League, the man behind the fairground, Mark Kraska and wife Judi plus tons of other displays (known as MOC's), vendors and so much more!

You might also see some of our own loco's on display!

Your ticket prices includes everything you'd normally expect from a visit to us, plus all of the displays and activities once you're inside.

As an addition this year, we've also added a make and take option (separate charge payable and prebooking is essential for this activity). Build a limited edition model only available this weekend, with it's own special printed brick not available anywhere else. This also complements the builds we already have, so you can add to your already growing collection of Didcot Railway Centre miniature models.

Visit us in this truly unique setting!

Travel back in time to the golden age of the Great Western Railway and savour the sights, sounds and smells of steam as you explore this 21-acre living museum with trains dating from Victorian times to the 1960s.

Steam trains will be operating on both of the Centre's two demonstration lines, allowing you to take unlimited rides. The second running line will be running too and may feature a pioneering diesel railcar, a heritage diesel locomotive or a small branchline steam engine. Check our Locomotive Roster to see what we expect to be running on the date of your visit.

Pick up our colourful Centre Guide, explore this 21-acre living museum and unearth almost two centuries of railway history. Get up close and see them at close quarters. Stroll through the original 1932 Engine Shed and see magnificent preserved locomotives – find 5900 Hinderton Hall, climb onto the footplate and listen to Archie, the driver, and Stan, the fireman, prepare their loco! Listen out for the sounds of a working engine shed and see if you can hear Stan fetch his supplies from Jonah, the storeman.

See surviving track from Brunel's Broad Gauge, discover painstakingly restored buildings, coaches and wagons and learn more about the development of railways and how they changed everyday lives.

There's a chance to get hands-on in The Signalling Centre where you can find out how trains have been controlled through the ages. Descend into a shelter* built to keep Didcot's enginemen safe in WWII and experience an air raid or immerse yourself in the varied collection of fascinating, smaller artefacts in the museum. Don't miss the carriage display with coaches dating from Victorian times to the 1940s that evoke bygone eras. See the VIP Saloon reputed to have been used by General Eisenhower during the preparations for D-Day and later used in the GWR Royal Train!

Catch a train and alight at the far end of the site to see the Transfer Shed - where goods were once moved from broad gauge to standard gauge trains. There's a rare section of surviving track from Brunel's Broad Gauge railway, complete with replica Victorian locomotives.

Children can also make tracks to the outdoor play area or dress up as a station master*. You can relax over lunch or enjoy a snack in the refreshment rooms and don't forget to pick up a souvenir in the gift shop. The modern trains running past the centre complete the picture and mean you can experience over 180 years of railway progress in just one day!