What’s on at the Museum for 2026

The Museum stages events and other activities throughout the year.

You can view further information and order tickets for each event below…

General Information

All Shows start at 10:00 am and finish at 4 pm unless otherwise stated. Entrance fees are as shown against each Show.

We expect the Miniature Railway to be running OPEN for Steam or Diesel Engine hauled train on the majority of our main What’s On days. If you are planning a train ride then please see the events below where train running is shown. An additional charge is made for the ride. Operation of the railway is subject to the availability of suitably qualified volunteers and availability of rollingstock and track infrastructure. Children under one year old cannot be carried.

The ‘Model Village’ will be OPEN on the First Sunday in the month as well as dates shown below. The Miniature Railway is also planned to run on many of these Sundays.

“Marshall”, the Lilleshall triple-expansion Steam Pumping Engine, will only RUN at Shows where shown below.

The Museum attractions rely on the availability of suitably trained / qualified Volunteers and may have to be cancelled at short notice if suitable volunteers are not available. Railway running days are also subject to the weather.

For all What’s On days the Steam Pump Tea Room will be OPEN serving food and refreshments.

Private Hire

Some indoor facilities are available for hire to groups and individuals. In addition the Museum has a quiet, level and secluded three-acre field which can be hired out to appropriate groups and organisations for example, weddings and private functions. For details of availability contact the Museum Manager via the contact page.

Exhibitors

For details on exhibiting at the Museum and exhibition application forms, please see our ‘EXHIBITORS INFORMATION‘ section.

Attractions Open / Closed / Running

We take every effort to ensure our calendar details are correct. However, these are subject to change without prior notice.

To avoid any disappointment please check with the Museum that the key attractions are open and running as illustrated below. 

MINIATURE RAILWAY

THE CRAFTY CABIN

Essex Pass

Essex Passes are not valid at any of our event days or Learning experiences. They are only valid on normal Museum open days.

Children’s University

Attending our Museum & events is a great way for children to gain hours towards their award goals.

Other events

Other small events take place at the Museum throughout the year – these will be added to this section periodically.

Astaria Model Village

(Open First Sunday Every Month from February 2025)
Free entry to the Model Village and Tea Room for food and refreshments on non paying event days

A charge is made for entry to the Museum

Miniature Railway

The miniature steam train will be running on these Sundays where possible – please confirm with Museum.

“Marshall”

The Lilleshall pumping engine and other oil / diesel engines will NOT BE RUNNING unless indicated below or on main event days on the first Sunday of the month

Crafty Cabin

Open most event days – see events below to confirm. Also open for pre booked workshops throughout the year. See Crafty Cabin page for details.