National Biscuit Day

We do love a biscuit and if you think there's something missing in life, it's almost always a biscuit!

Did you even know there was a National Biscuit Day? We did, and steam engines were a vital part of the history of this British staple, transporting most of the output by rail.

The biscuit came from the need for something nutritious and long-lasting and over time this eventually led to the baking of foods for a more reliable longer lasting source of food, which were vital for the military.

Doctors also recommended that biscuits be eaten daily for sustenance to avoid illness.

Bakers tried to create the hardest biscuits possible because over time they naturally go soft. When baked hard, biscuits could be stored for years without spoiling as long as they were kept dry.

It was Huntley & Palmers who, in 1831, invented the decorative biscuit tin and this meant biscuits could be distributed all over the world. By 1900, Huntley & Palmers biscuits had been sold in 172 countries, demonstrating their global reach. They really led the way and now each country has its own national biscuit treasures.

With our friends from Reading Museum, we have a display of many rare and interesting artefacts from their vast collection for you to see, including two of the rare surviving hard biscuits that would have been taken to the front line. As you'll be able to see, these were actually quite inedible and often used to hold photographs of loved ones!

See a beautiful replica headboard on our excursion train and take our biscuit trail, discovering fastinating facts about Huntley and Palmers along the way.

Plus - free biscuits for all!

Rivals Reunited - Flying Scotsman and Pendennis Castle

In addition, see rivals, Pendennis Castle and Flying Scotsman on display and visit the footplate of both locomotives (separate charge applies). These two engines have a rich history, so immerse yourself in the engineering wonders of the 1920's. Please note that these engines will NOT be hauling trains today, and will on display only.

Also, if you'd like to experience what it's like to be a fireman or driver of an engine, we'll be offering footplate visits for both of these engines (separate charge applies) during the day.

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 at least one of the Centre's two demonstration lines, allowing you to take unlimited rides. On many days, the second 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.  The Swindon Panel will be open on 10th and 11th February 2024 with further dates to be added as the year progresses. 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!

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!