BARROW HILL ROUNDHOUSE
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO BARROW HILL ROUNDHOUSE
Location: Barrow Hill Roundhouse is on Campbell Drive, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S43 2PR. If travelling by car, there is plenty of free parking on site. Please use the clearly signed public entrance on the left-hand side of Campbell Drive, approximately 100m from the junction with Station Road (SK413754).
Visit: The Barrow Hill signal box to see the turntable in action. Look for special events listed on the attraction’s website.
Refreshments: There is a café on site, normally open at weekends. In Staveley and the surrounding area, there are food and drink outlets to suit all tastes.
Staveley: Until a few years ago, several large coalfields existed around Staveley, but they have now closed. In 1893, the Miners Welfare built an indoor market hall called Markham Hall in memory of the man who played a large part in the area’s development. The impressive-looking Staveley Hall is situated to the northeast of St John the Baptist Church in the town. Today, Staveley is a thriving community with amenities and attractions for visitors to enjoy.
BARROW HILL ROUNDHOUSE
Barrow Hill Roundhouse is the last surviving railway roundhouse in the United Kingdom with an operational turntable. It was built in 1870 to a standard Midland Railway square shed design with a central turntable. Initially, it was known as the Staveley Roundhouse until 1948, when its name changed to Barrow Hill. It continued in operation until 1991, when it was threatened with demolition. A group of dedicated volunteers saved it and have transformed it into a unique railway museum and events venue.
Today, visitors can admire the operational turntable and shear legs (lifting gear). The museum also has a changing display of steam and diesel locomotives and other rolling stock, an operational signal box, the Roundhouse Halt platform, and the Springwell Branch running line. Interpretative displays using items from the Museum’s collection vividly bring the fascinating story of the Roundhouse and the surrounding area to life.
The Deltic Preservation Society’s maintenance depot and museum sit adjacent to the Roundhouse. The depot is open on Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm and during some of Barrow Hill’s special events. Regular favourites include the Rail Ale Beer & Music Festival and a series of weekend-themed family activities. Please refer to Barrow Hill’s website to check the event schedule and opening times before travelling.
