Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre

Steeped in Midland Railway history, Barrow Hill Roundhouse was built in 1870 to house the steam locomotives that served the nearby Staveley Works.

Locomotive development and technology moved forward rapidly after the Second World War and the last of the hundreds of steam locomotives which had worked from Barrow Hill finally left in 1965. They were replaced by diesels which hauled huge numbers of coal trains from the nearby North Derbyshire coalfields.

By the late 1980s, coal’s future as a major fuel source was in decline and in 1991 British Rail announced the depot’s closure. On 9th February of that year the Roundhouse closed its doors and 121 years of continuous use came to an end.

That would have been the end of the story, were it not for a group of dedicated railway preservationists who persuaded Chesterfield Borough Council to have the building listed to prevent its demolition. The Council then purchased the site and organised the necessary major repairs before leasing it to the newly formed Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society charity.  The Roundhouse reopened in 1997 and is a unique historical and architectural gem – the only operational railway roundhouse in the UK.

The Roundhouse is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday between March and December.  It also holds special events which attracts thousands of visitors, including the renowned Rail Ale Drink & Music Festival, which takes place in May. Regular weekend attractions include the Roundhouse Café – supplying filling breakfasts and delicious lunches – and Shop – selling railway-themed gifts and exclusive Barrow Hill mementos – as well as turntable and signal box demonstrations and the site’s volunteers working on various railway renovation projects.

The Roundhouse has benefitted from over £1.2 million of National Heritage Lottery funding.  As well as vital restoration work to the building, an interpretation of the Roundhouse’s story and the history of the surrounding area has been created along with interactive displays and activities for visitors young and old.  There is ample car parking on site as well as bicycle racks.  The majority of the site is suitable for wheelchair users. Well behaved dogs are also welcome.

During the summer holidays the Roundhouse will also be hosting several special events, all of which will feature some of the Roundhouse locomotives hauling passenger trains on the museum’s branch line:

• The Deltic Preservation Society Model Railway Show on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July.
• Train Running Days on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August.
• A brand-new event for 2026 and the highlight of the summer holidays at the Roundhouse – “Bricks in the Roundhouse” – taking place on 29 and 30 August.

For more information about the Roundhouse and its weekend activities and special events visit www.barrowhill.org